Group Members
Alireza Alidoust Lomer
Alireza Alidoust is a prospective Ph.D. student with expertise in the mechanical properties of materials, numerical analysis and Finite Element Modeling (FEM), and machine learning techniques. His Ph.D. research at the University of Alberta will focus on developing AI-assisted models for laser-based additive manufacturing processes, specifically focusing on understanding and optimizing processing flow and solidification phenomena. This cutting-edge research aims to combine the predictive power of artificial intelligence with advanced numerical modeling to optimize manufacturing outcomes, enhance material performance, and contribute to advancing additive manufacturing technologies in academic and industrial applications.
Amirhossein Iranmehr
Amirhossein is currently an MSc student at the University of Alberta; his research project focuses on the machine learning-assisted multi-scale fatigue fracture modelling of spiral welded pipelines. The objective is to study the fatigue failure in the spiral welded pipelines to provide an effective model to predict the fatigue-related crack nucleation and growth.
Burak Yilmaz
Burak Yilmaz is currently an MSc student at the University of Alberta, co-supervised by Dr. Mostafa Yakout, focusing on the development and utilization of a tensile split-Hopkinson pressure bar facility. His research involves conducting high-strain-rate tests on additively manufactured materials such as aluminum-Sc, Inconel alloys, Ti-6Al-4V, and high-temperature materials. Through these experiments, Burak aims to enhance the understanding of the mechanical properties of advanced materials under dynamic loading conditions, contributing to advancements in the field of materials science.
Cass (Haoyang) Li, Research Project Manager
Haoyang (Cass) is currently the research project manager of CDAM. Haoyang graduated in Oct 2019 with an MSc degree under the supervision of Dr. Hogan. His expertise is in both material science, including material characterization, failure analysis, and fracture mechanisms of brittle materials; and experimental mechanics, including rate-dependent compression and ballistic testing. Haoyang is familiar with multiple camera systems, Digital Image Correlation, and other experimental design components.
Di Liu
Di Liu is a prospective master's student at the University of Alberta under the supervision of Dr. James Hogan. She holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanics & Software Engineering, combining expertise in mechanical analysis and computational modeling. Her research focuses on integrating data-driven modeling and multi-physics simulations to explore the relationships between material processing, properties, and performance. With a particular interest in advanced ceramic materials, she aims to contribute to the optimization and design of materials and structures for extreme environments.
Colby Gauthier
Colby Gauthier is currently an MSc student at the University of Alberta and is focusing on the multi-physics modelling of additively manufactured SiC-based ceramics and ceramic composites for aerospace applications. Colby previously completed his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Alberta and joined the CDAM group in September 2024. His work focuses on developing weight-optimized, high-performance ceramic structures using additive manufacturing, supporting advancements in key Canadian industries.
Hanieh Ahmadi
Hanieh Ahmadi is currently an MSc student at the University of Alberta and specializes in studying high-entropy alloys (HEAs). Her thesis focuses on investigating the mechanical behavior of medium entropy alloys (MEAs) for hydrogen applications, focusing on the hydrogen embrittlement mechanical behavior through experimental methods. She also has expressed a keen interest in exploring the mechanical properties of various materials, with a particular fascination for metals. Hanieh will have the opportunity to work on additive manufacturing of HEA/MEAs alongside her research, under the guidance of Prof. Hogan and Prof. Yakout.
Iman Sedighi
Iman is currently a PhD student at the University of Alberta, with experience on experimental characterization of materials, and a focus on fracture mechanics. Joining Dr. Hogan’s group since September 2023, his research project involves analyzing the fatigue crack growth in welded steel pipes. The objective of his research is to study these phenomena experimentally and numerically in different length scales.
Junhao Chang
Junhao is a PhD candidate under the supervision of Dr. Hogan at the University of Alberta. His research mainly concentrates on phase transformation (e.g., amorphization) of advanced ceramics (e.g., boron carbide) under dynamic loadings (i.e., shock). One of his current research goals is to build a comprehensive molecular dynamics unit cell model for the prediction of the fracture of boron carbide. After that, he will extend his model to study the dynamic behavior of advanced ceramics under complex loading conditions and damage states, and bridge into higher scale models that are studied in the group.
Saman Sayahlatifi, PDF
Saman completed his PhD at the University of Alberta, focusing on the micromechanical finite element modeling of the stress state- and strain rate-dependent failure behavior of cold-sprayed additively manufactured metal-ceramic composites at the CDAM and the AHTST Laboratory. He is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the CDAM, specializing in experimental testing and cross-scale finite element analysis (FEA) of fatigue crack propagation in welded steel pipelines. In collaboration with a leading Canadian energy infrastructure company, his work contributes to advancing pipeline integrity management strategies to enhance operational reliability and ensure the safe and efficient transportation of energy in the Oil & Gas sector.
Sara Sheikhi
Sara is a PhD candidate at the University of Alberta with expertise in Computational Solid Mechanics, Theoretical Methods, and Advanced Materials. The focus of her PhD thesis is to develop new interatomic potential for Boron Carbide using Machine Learning and Molecular Dynamics approaches, and bridge it into higher-scale models developed by other group members through implementing homogenization schemes.
Songtao Wang
Songtao Wang is a prospective PhD student at the University of Alberta under the supervision of Dr. James Hogan. His research focuses on fracture mechanics and multiscale modeling of advanced ceramics. He plans to further investigate the dynamic mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms of ceramic composites under various loading conditions, aiming to advance the understanding and application of these materials in structural and protective technologies.
Weihao Guo
Weihao is a current PhD student at the University of Alberta, with experience on the cutting force and thermal modeling and testing during root canal preparation. His PhD thesis focuses on the morphological characterization, mechanical testing, and physics-based finite element modelling of skull bone. The objective of his research is to inform on the fundamental material behavior of human skull bone and helmet design under various loading conditions using advanced computational mechanics and applied machine learning.
Ying-huang (Benson) Ho
Benson Ho is a master’s student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta, where he also completed his bachelor’s degree in the same field. His academic focus is on advanced ceramic materials, with current research centered on hydrogen embrittlement in ceramics and the prevention of carbon deposition in methane pyrolysis reactors. Through his studies and research, Ying-Huang aims to contribute to advancements in materials engineering and sustainable energy technologies.
Alumni
Abhinav Badoni (BSc, Research Assistant) - May 2022 to Oct 2022
Amirhossein Mahdavi (PDF) - Sept 2018 to Aug 2019
Amir Hossein Saeedinia – 2020
Benhour Amirian (PhD, PDF) - Jan 2018 to Oct 2022
Brendan Koch (PhD, w/ internship at DRDC) - Sept 2016 to Aug 2021
Calvin Lo (MSc, Research Assistant) – April 2017 to Sept 2020
Chenwei Shao (PDF) - 2019 to 2021
Guriqbal Munday (MSc) - Sept 2017 to Aug 2019
Hannaneh Manafi Farid (MSc) – Sept 2020 to April 2023
Harshil Pisavadia (MSc) - Sept 2020 to Aug 2022
Jie Zheng (PhD, PDF) - Sept 2019 to Dec 2024
Kapil Bharadwaj Bhagavathula (PhD) - Sept 2016 to July 2021
Kasra (Mohammad) Rezasefat (Visiting Scholar, PDF) - Dec 2021 to Sept 2024
Kyle (Luyue) Mao (MSc) - Sept 2021 to Jan 2024
Min Ji (PhD) - Sept 2021 to March 2022
Mohammad Parsazadeh (PDF) - Jan 2020 to July 2021
Piotr Nicewicz (MSc) - Sept 2017 to Aug 2019
Pouyan Motamedi (PDF) – Jan 2016 to Dec 2018
Sam Parcon (BSc, Research Assistant) – 2018 to 2019
Shuo (Alex) Yang (MSc) – Sept 2020 to Dec 2022
Víctor Juarros Cebrian (BSc, Research Assistant) – Sept 2020 to Dec 2020
Yogesh Kumar (MSc, Research Assistant) – Sept 2022 to Oct 2024
