MEET OUR TEAM
Principal Investigator
James Spicer
Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University (1991)
B.S. Physics, Southern Methodist University (1985)
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Southern Methodist University (1985)
PhD Students
Ellen Berry
M.S.E. Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
B.S. Physics Engineering, Minor in Mathematics, Salisbury University
Nuclear Graphite Structure-Property Relationship
Alex Patterson
M.S.E. Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Sustainability Studies, University of Maryland, College Park
Polymer Matrix Nanocomposites
Stuart Jackson
M.Eng. Engineering Physics, Cornell University
B.S. Engineering Physics, Cornell University
Optical Properties at Elevated Temperatures
Michael Moorer
B.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering, Minors in Chemistry and Mathematics, Howard University
Ceramic Powder Laser-Bed Sintering for Additive Manufacturing
Elisa Zeng-Mariotti
B.S. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Minor in Sustainability Studies, University of Maryland, College Park
Ceramic Powder Laser-Bed Sintering for Additive Manufacturing
Tucker Moore
B.S. Materials Science and Engineering, University of North Texas
Silicon Carbide for High-Temperature Windows
Master’s Students
Yuzhong Shi
B.S. Optical Information Science and Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST)
Polymer Matrix Nanocomposites
Yufeng Xie
Nuclear Graphite Structure-Property Relationship
Undergraduate Students
Ki Wook Park
Materials Science and Engineering
Polymer Matrix Nanocomposites
Jack Elder
Materials Science and Engineering
Nuclear Graphite Structure-Property Relationship
Recent Alumni
| Picture | Name | Degree | Thesis | Current Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Duaa Ramadhan | M.S.E. 2026 | “Synthesis and Characterization of Tungsten Oxide (WOx) and Molybdenum Oxide (MoOx) in Polymer Matrices” | Ph.D. Student at University of Bristol Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) Center for Doctoral Training |
 | Gabriella Hunt | Ph.D. 2026 | “Adaptive Phase Change Meta-Optics: Functional Integration for Emissive Control and Spectral Filtering” | Associate Staff Scientist at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory |
| Chuanzhi (Max) Ju | Visiting exchange student, fall 2024 | Undergraduate at Shanghai Jiao Tong University | ||
| Adam B. Peters | Ph.D. 2021 | “Additive Manufacturing of Ultra-High Temperature Carbide and Nitride Ceramics Using Reactive Selective Laser Sintering” | Stratolaunch, Founder & Chief Technology Officer at Synteris LLC | |
| Jessica Ma | Ph.D. 2021 | “Characterization of Extremely Low-Level Optical Absorption and Scattering in Crystalline Materials for High-Energy Laser Applications” | Senior Operations/ Cost Analyst at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory | |
| Fan W. Zeng | Ph.D. 2018 | “Synthesis of Polymer Matrix Nanocomposites Using Thermal and Optical Methods: Understanding and Controlling Nanoparticle Formation in Polymer Matrices” | Senior Scientist at Syensqo | |
| Michael Brupbacher | Ph.D. 2017 | “Experimental Characterization and Physics-Based Modeling of Optical Property Temperature Dependencies in Doped Metal Oxides” | Senior Staff Scientist at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory | |
| Lindsey Channels | Ph.D. 2013 | “Determining Texture in Materials using Laser Ultrasonic Methods” | ||
| Travis DeJournett | Ph.D. 2013 | “The Synthesis, Characterization, and Modification of Polymer Matrix Nanocomposites” | Pixel Display Module Reliability Engineer at Google |