Principal Investigator

Gianna M. Valentino

Prof. Valentino’s expertise lies at the intersection between mechanics and materials, with particular emphasis on structural materials. Her research goals are to investigate damage pathways in materials, understand their deformation mechanisms, and optimize their functionality via interfacial control.

Research Focus: engineering materials with competing properties, refractory metals for extreme environments, shape morphing metals, functionally graded materials

Education: Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
                          M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
                          B.S.  Physics, Saint Joseph’s University

Contact: giannav@umd.edu

Graduate Researchers

 

Eliott Wallace

Research Focus: additive manufacturing, refractory and propulsion materials, and high-temperature mechanical behavior

Education: Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering (expected 2028)   
                          B.S. Materials Science and Engineering 2023

Start Date: June 2024

Contact: ewallac1@umd.edu

Undergraduate Researchers

 

Alessandra Crippa

Research Focus: additive manufacturing, metallography, and optical microscopy

Education: B.S. Materials Science and Engineering (expected 2026)

Start Date: March 2023

Contact: acrippa@terpmail.umd.edu

Jason Stone

Research Focus: optical and electron microscopy

Education: B.S. Material Science and Engineering (expected 2025)

Start Date: October 2023

Contact: jstone16@terpmail.umd.edu

Esther Kwon

Research Focus: applied physics

Education: B.S. Physics and Astronomy (expected 2027)

Start Date: July 2024

Contact: ekwon12@terpmail.umd.edu

 

 

Alumni

  • Cortlyn Young – NSWC-Carderock Division
  • Ayman Mohamed – GE Aerospace – Additive Technology Center