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
Contact: ewallac1@umd.edu
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Charles Mann
Research Focus: twins and shape memory alloys
Education: Ph.D. Materials Science (expected 2030)
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Lafayette College, 2025
Contact: manncm@umd.edu
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Aditya Pulipaka
Research Focus: additive manufacturing, physical metallurgy, and functionally graded materials
Education: Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering (expected 2030)
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, George Mason University
Contact: apulipak@umd.edu
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Undergraduate Researchers
Alessandra Crippa
Research Focus: additive manufacturing, metallography, and optical microscopy
Education: B.S. Materials Science and Engineering (expected 2026)
Contact: acrippa@terpmail.umd.
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Esther Kwon
Research Focus: applied physics
Education: B.S. Physics and Astronomy (expected 2027)
Contact: ekwon12@terpmail.umd.edu
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Isabelle LaManna
Research Focus: high-temperature material behavior
Education: B.S. Materials Science and Engineering (expected 2026)
Contact: ilamanna@terpmail.umd.edu
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Kevin Kyle
Research Focus: high-temperature materials design, aerothermal degradation of materials under hypersonic conditions
Education: B.S. Aerospace Engineering (expected 2027)
Contact: kdk@terpmail.umd.edu
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Alumni
- Cortlyn Young – NSWC-Carderock Division
- Ayman Mohamed – GE Aerospace – Additive Technology Center
- Jason Stone – Naval Air Station Patuxent River