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.
Dr. Nitin Saini, Postdoctoral 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.
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.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. 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.
In Fall 2025, Ravi defended his PhD 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.
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.
MSc 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, 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.
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.
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.
PhD Candidate, Xincheng Li, xinche14@ualberta.ca
Xincheng Li received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Hohai University. He has been a PhD student in Bridge Engineering at Hohai University. Xincheng joined Professor Li's group as a joint doctoral student on a CSC Scholarship in September 2025. His research interests include fatigue damage analysis of welded joints, fatigue performance improvement, and automated fatigue crack inspection technology. In his spare time, he enjoys playing basketball and hiking.
