The Materials Graduate Society (MGS) focuses on the advancement of materials scientists and researchers at the graduate and post-graduate levels. Through professional and social development events, the graduate student organization strives to improve department camaraderie, academic excellence, and professional advancement for future scientists. The MGS aims not only to help build lifelong friendships among its members, but also a solid professional network, along with opportunities for those involved to expand their communication, social, and networking skills for the workforce.
Get involved
Keep up to date with upcoming MGS events by following us on Instagram. If you’d like to speak at our weekly seminars or co-host future events, please contact Megan Bokhoor ([email protected]) or Hadas Elazar-Mittelman ([email protected]).
MGS Leadership 2023-2024
Email:
[email protected]
Megan is a third year PhD student in the Weihs Group researching reactive materials for chemical agent defeat applications under the MSEE Consortium. Her work involves sputtering and ball milling for metallic powder processing. She’s originally from California and completed her Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering at UCLA. Aside from research, she’s a plant mom and enjoys exploring new restaurants and coffee shops around Baltimore and DC.
Email:
[email protected]
Hadas Elazar-Mittelman is a third-year PhD student and is one of the co-Presidents of the Materials Graduate Society. She was born and raised in Silver Spring, MD, and completed her undergraduate degree in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research focuses on developing various technologies to permanently sequester carbon dioxide as solid material. In her free time she enjoys cooking, tennis, hiking, and painting!
Email:
[email protected]
Sreenivas, a third-year Ph.D. student affiliated with the Weihs Group, is deeply engaged in research. His current project is particularly exciting as it centers on exploring the relationships between process, structure, and properties in Magnesium alloys, with the goal of developing biodegradable metal implants. Additionally, Sreenivas is involved in investigating the impact of defects in light alloys, with the aim of enhancing the properties of these alloys for applications in the automotive and biomedical sectors. Outside of his academic pursuits, Sreenivas finds relaxation in playing cricket and table tennis during his breaks from research and studies.
Email:
[email protected]
Sharon Park is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in Kevin Hemker’s group. She is an APL Graduate Research fellow and works on high temperature (HT) characterization of additively manufactured refractory alloys. She specializes in HT mechanical testing, and digital image correlation. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, playing the drums, and doing polymer clay art.
Email:
[email protected]
Kevin is a PhD student in Professor Hufnagel’s lab where he studies the dynamic fracture of geomaterials and engineering ceramics under extreme loading. He also conducts 3D microstructural characterization of materials using X-ray techniques. Outside of the lab, Kevin enjoys hiking/mountaineering, ultimate frisbee, photography, and board games. He’s also a wicked goalty player.
Daniel McKenzie
Treasurer/Seminar Coordinator
Email:
[email protected]
Danny is a third year PhD student in Materials Science working on cell membrane receptors with Kalina Hristova. He hails from Concord North Carolina and completed his undergraduate at UNCW obtaining a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and worked with lipid nanoparticles. When Danny isn’t in the lab he likes to eat, bake, and cook (in that order).
Jodie Baris
Social Director
Email:
[email protected]
Jodie Baris is a 4th year in the Erlebacher lab, their research focuses on the kinetics and phase evolution of ternary metal systems to understand how processing affects the mechanical and electrochemical properties. In addition to being the social director of MS, Jodie is involved with organizing for TRU, the graduate student union. In their free time, they like to bake and play field hockey.
Email:
[email protected]
Kumar currently thrives in the stimulating realm of algorithm development for materials discovery and computer simulations within Prof. Clancy’s prestigious laboratory. Hailing from the vibrant city of Bangalore, India, he embarked on their academic journey at the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India, where he honed his skills and passion for computational materials science.
Email:
[email protected]
Alex deJong is a third year PhD student in Professor Hufnagel’s group. Alex’s research is focused on quantifying lattice distortions in concentrated metallic alloys through the use of x-ray characterization techniques and simulations. In his spare time, Alex enjoys going on runs, playing board games, going on hikes and playing tennis.
Email:
[email protected]
Anna is a second year PhD candidate in the Taheri group from Jacksonville, FL. She did her undergraduate in Physics at Wellesley College in Massachusetts and spent a year after graduation working in the Advanced Imager Technology group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. She now works on additive manufacturing of magnetic metallic glasses for applications in AC motor cores.
Email:
[email protected]
Alexandra (Alex) Patterson is a first-year graduate student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park in mechanical engineering while minoring in sustainability studies. Her current research is being advised by Professor James Spicer and involves the vapor deposition of nanoparticles into polymer matrices for retinal implant application. In her free time, Alex enjoys bullet journaling, yoga, and spending time with her dog.