Dr. Leijun Li, P.Eng., FASM, FAWS, FCWA
leijun@ualberta.ca
Professor Li and his
students conduct sponsored research in physical metallurgy, welding of
steels, materials processing, additive manufacturing of metallic
parts, and testing of mechanical properties of engineering
structures.
The current and former group members have published
papers, offered courses, and made contributions to materials
engineering.
Dr. Nitin Saini, Postdoc Fellow, nsaini2@ualberta.ca
Nitin Saini obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India. His main research interests are physical and welding metallurgy of creep strength enhanced ferritic (CSEF) steels, their heat treatments and residual stresses in the welded joints. Nitin joined Dr. Li's group in May 2019 as a visiting doctoral fellow sponsored by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), India. In November 2020, Nitin re-joined Dr. Li's group as a postdoctoral fellow. In his spare time, he enjoys playing badminton, traveling and cooking.
PhD Candidate, Zhe Lyu, zlyu1@ualberta.ca
Zhe Lyu, E.I.T., obtained his BSc in Mechanical Engineering at the
University of Alberta. During his undergraduate days, as a Dean's Research Award scholar, Zhe was working under graduate students and receiving training in heat-treating, sample preparation equipment, data acquisition and processing, and metallography.
In summer 2020, Zhe became a PhD student in Dr. Li's group. He is working on modeling of thermo-mechanical processes, as well as on physical metallurgy of pressure vessel steels, and transport processes in additive manufacturing.
PhD Candidate, Ravikiran Kopparthi, kopparth@ualberta.ca
Ravikiran Kopparthi completed his Bachelor’s in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from Rajiv Gandhi University and Master’s in Welding Engineering from National Institute of Technology - Trichy, India. His Master’s thesis was on the structure-property correlation of dissimilar metal welding between ferritic and austenitic stainless steels using Nickel-based welding consumables. He has work experience in the line pipe manufacturing for oil and gas and he also worked on the characterization of thermal spray coatings for gas turbine blades. Ravi joined Dr. Li’s research group in Fall 2020 to do research in physical and welding metallurgy. He enjoys riding motorcycles and playing cricket in his spare time.
MSc Candidate, Zachary Tervonen, ztervone@ualberta.ca
Zachary Tervonen received his BSc in Materials Engineering from the University of Alberta in June 2018. In May 2016, he was awarded the American Society for Metals Prize in Materials Engineering. He joined Dr. Li’s research group in Fall 2021 and is currently pursuing a MSc in Materials Engineering with research based on investigating innovative surface treatments used to improve the mechanical properties of WC/steel brazed joints. In his spare time, he enjoys rock climbing, reading, and writing.
MSc Candidate, Pejman Hajipour, phajipou@ualberta.ca
Pejman Hajipour received his BSc in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering from Isfahan University of Technology, Iran. He joined Dr. Li’s group in Fall 2022 and is currently pursuing a MSc in Materials Engineering. His current research focuses on experimental and simulation studies of Deep Cryogenic Heat treatment of ground engaging devices (GED). He enjoys watching movies, cycling and gaming in his spare time.
PhD Candidate, Tohid Rajabi, trajabi@ualberta.ca
Tohid Rajabi obtained his Bachelor’s in Materials Science and Engineering from Urmia University of Technology and Master’s in Corrosion Engineering from Isfahan University of Technology, Iran. Tohid joined Dr. Li’s research group in Fall of 2023 to investigate wear and corrosion properties of coated materials. He enjoys sports and exploring new places in his spare time.
PhD Candidate, Tailin Ren, tailin@ualberta.ca
Tailin Ren received his M.Sc. in Materials Engineering from the University of Alberta in April 2021. He started his Ph.D. in September 2021 under the supervision of Dr. Leijun Li and Dr. Hani Henein. His primary research is in welding metallurgy for girth welding of microalloyed steels, including finite element analysis of the thermal histories, characterization of heat-affected zone microstructure, and mechanical properties.
PhD Candidate, Amir Ahmadi, ahmadich@ualberta.ca
Amir Ahmadi earned his bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Isfahan University of Technology and a Master’s in Metal Forming from Sharif University of Technology, Iran. His master’s thesis focused on enhancing the mechanical properties of low-carbon steels through post-warm rolling. Amir has professional experience in a land-based turbine company. In Fall term of 2024, he joined Dr. Li’s research group to study physical and welding metallurgy. In his free time, he enjoys swimming and gaming.
Visiting Professor, Dr. Xiaoying Fang, fangxy1109@gmail.com
Prof. Xiaoying Fang from Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China, has been visiting the Li Group since September 2024. Prof. Fang has a world-class research group in laser powder-bed fusion, and has published numerous high-impact papers in additive manufacturing of advanced alloys.
Postdoc Fellow, Dr. Yajing Wang, yajing17@ualberta.ca
Dr. Yajing Wang rejoined the Li Group in February 2025, after finishing her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at Taiyuan University of Science and Technology. She previously spent two years in the Li Group under a CSC fellowship to conduct her thesis research on welding of steam pipe steels. Her recent Welding Journal paper has won the Savage Award from the American Welding Society.
