Professor 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 significant contributions to materials
engineering and welding metallurgy.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. 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 recently (summer 2025) defended his
thesis, and became a postdoc in the group.
PhD 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 was 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. Since
fall 2024, he started a PhD in Materials Engineering with research on design of
high-entropy alloys. In his spare time, he enjoys rock climbing, reading, and writing.
Research Assistant, 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 finished 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, 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.
Postdoctoral 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. She is currently half-time with Prof. Jing Liu's group.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Mehrdad Karimzadeh, karimzadehm@ualberta.ca
Dr. Mehrdad Karimzadeh earned a PhD in Materials Engineering from the University of Tehran, where he researched the microstructure and mechanical properties of high-entropy alloys. For his MSc degree, he investigated the effects of thermomechanical processing on microstructure, mechanical properties, and superelasticity of shape memory alloys. In summer 2025, he joined Prof. Li’s group as a postdoctoral fellow to conduct research on advanced metallic materials.
MSc Candidate, Ronnie Ryan, rtryan@ualberta.ca
Ronnie Ryan received his BSc in Materials Engineering from the University of Alberta in June 2025. He joined Dr Li's research group in Fall 2025 pursuing a MSc in Materials Engineering with research on microalloyed linepipe steels, to understand precipitate behaviour and the effect on microstructure and toughness during electric resistance welding and post weld heat treatments. In his spare time, he enjoys rugby, cricket and thrill seeking activities.
