•Designed a casting apparatus and experiments for the production of high strength, low density metal matrix composites.•Investigated the mechanical and microstructural properties of metal-matrix composites consisting of maraging steel spheres embedded in a matrix of magnesium and/or aluminum alloys.•Performed carburization experiments on steel alloys with thin-walled hollow sphere geometries and subsequent mechanical property and microstructural investigation.•Supervised and directed graduate students in their research efforts.

Topic: Gas Carburization of Reduced Metal Oxide Powder Extrusions•Developed process parameters for the carburization of ferrous alloys formed via the extrusion and reduction of metal oxide powder mixtures•Developed experiments to investigate the effect of gaseous environments on carburized samples•Tested mechanical properties of steels that were heat treated under various conditions•Correlated microstructure and mechanical properties of steel alloys made through an innovative process to those made conventionally, resulting in a novel alloy development technique.•Wrote quarterly progress reports and delivered progress presentations to grant funding committees

Topic: Nanoindentation of Biomimetic Silk Films and Polymer/Carbon Nanofiber Composites · Operated nanoindentation equipment to collect hardness and modulus measurements of silk films and carbon nanofiber - containing Vectra A950 · Compared mechanical properties of biomimetic films and Vectra A950 composites which had undergone different processing conditions· Interpreted results, collaborated with researchers to write an original paper, and presented research to scientists

Topic: Morphology of Nephila Clavipes Dragline Spider Silk and Synthetic Silks•Developed and constructed an apparatus for the maneuvering of single spider silk fibers•Developed a method to obtain AFM images of spider silk and synthetic fibers while strained•Aided in the development of an apparatus which could be used to detect forces caused by the supercontraction of spider silk