LPDA Board

I hold a B.S. in Physics and transitioned to Materials Science, where I earned my master’s and Ph.D. at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. My first time living in the U.S. was from 2021 to 2022 in California, where I conducted part of my research at Berkeley Lab. I returned to the U.S. in March 2024 to begin my postdoctoral research here at Lehigh University, where I am currently developing in-situ TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) heating studies on High Entropy Alloy nanoparticles. My work focuses on investigating their sintering behavior, high-temperature stability, and mechanical properties for refractory applications. In addition to leading the LPDA, I also serve as an Early Career Group Member of the Microscopy Society of America, and, whenever possible, I like to support initiatives that empower young women in STEM. In my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball, going out with friends and traveling to explore new places. Invite me for a coffee or ask me about National Parks in the US!

Hi everyone, I’m Franzi and I’ve been a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Lehigh since September 2023.  I’m originally from Germany, where I completed both my B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees at the University of Mainz, before moving to Zürich, Switzerland, to pursue my Ph.D. at ETH Zürich. My research focuses on understanding the processes behind large-scale volcanic eruptions, such as those at Yellowstone, and investigating how we can predict when and where such events might occur again on Earth. 

Next to my research, I am passionate about promoting diversity and equity in the Earth Sciences and beyond, working towards making academia a more inclusive and welcoming space for everyone. If I am not in front of my computer, you can usually find me out on the trails exploring the Northeast, in the kitchen experimenting with some new recipes, or in the gym. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department at Lehigh University, working in the Quantum Computing and Optimization Lab. I received my Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Lehigh University in August 2024 under the supervision of Prof. Tamás Terlaky. Prior to joining Lehigh, I earned my master's degree from Sharif University of Technology and my bachelor's degree from Iran University of Science and Technology, both in Industrial Engineering. My research focuses on developing, analyzing, and implementing efficient quantum and classical algorithms for solving large-scale optimization problems, such as problems arising in healthcare applications. My work has been recognized with the 2023 INFORMS Computing Society Best Student Paper Prize (runner-up) and the 2023 Van Hoesen Family Best Publication Award. 

Hi everyone, I’m Shen and I started my Lehigh life in 2018 as a PhD student. After obtaining the PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2023, I became a postdoctoral scholar in the same research group. I’m also a visiting postdoctoral scholar in MIT, where we collaborate on a research project. My research focused on different aspects of solid mechanics including thermostructural analysis, functional metamaterials, and granular materials, from both experimental and numerical perspectives. I like hiking and iced coffee. Join my hiking and BBQ squad!

Hande completed her Master's in Chemical Engineering at Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey in 2021, focusing on the thermal degradation of waste printed circuit boards. During her studies, she worked as a project engineer at Proses Makina, a company specializing in mining and recycling technologies. Since 2021, Hande has been working on her Ph.D. research in the DAL Engineering Group, where she combined both industrial and academic projects on the cement production process. Her focus has been on modeling combustion gases of  cement calciners and improving combustion systems, with an emphasis on carbon dioxide capture technologies. In January 2025, she began her postdoctoral research at Lehigh University’s Energy Research Center as a Research Associate under Professor Dr. Carlos Romero. Her current work involves gasification, carbon dioxide capture, direct air capture and sustainable energy solutions. Hande is passionate about developing technologies that promote sustainability and a greener future through both her academic and industrial experiences.

I am a Postdoc in the Fredin Research Group in the department of Chemistry, where we model and study the electronic structure of molecules and materials with Density Functional Theory codes. This position and research follows from my previous postdoc at Boston University, graduate studies at University of California, Irvine, and undergraduate studies at the National University of Singapore. I am currently studying the electronic conductivity of organic semiconductor crystals. I quite enjoy American Diner fare.

Hi there! I'm Marcos, a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Biological Sciences at Lehigh University. My research focuses on the evolution of genomes and morphological traits in freshwater fishes, combining computational and experimental approaches to uncover patterns of evolutionary change. I earned my B.Sc. and M.Sc. from the Federal University of Viçosa in Brazil before moving to Switzerland, where I completed my Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Basel. Beyond the lab, I'm deeply interested in environmental and affirmative action initiatives, punk activism, and science outreach. In my free time, you’ll likely find me at a movie theatre, a techno club, or a metal concert. I also love hiking—whether in the mountains or through vineyards, preferably with a glass of their production in hand!

I joined Lehigh University in 2022 as a Postdoctoral Fellow with Prof. Aurelia Honerkamp-Smith in the Department of Physics. My work falls in the realm between Physics and Biology. I did enjoy studying both during my high school classes. I chose Physics as the main subject of study for my undergraduate degree. I did my Masters in Physics from IIT Madras and Ph.D. in Soft condensed matter physics from Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, India. During my Ph.D., I started liking the intricate nature of biology, and to better understand biological problems, I did an interim postdoc in the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at IIT Bombay. I am passionate about my research and also music. I am a moderately trained Carnatic music vocalist. I enjoy art in general. I love doing yoga, walking, and hiking.  

I began working as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science within the College of Health in Spring 2025. My current work focuses on developing navigation and mapping solutions to improve accessibility in built environments for individuals with disabilities. I hold a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Wichita State University, where I also earned two M.S. degrees—one in Aerospace Engineering and another in Computer Science. I completed my B.S. in Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Driven by a passion for accessibility and assistive technology, I am dedicated to creating innovative solutions that improve the lives of people both with and without disabilities.

I joined the Computer Science department in Fall 2023 as part of the Advancing Future Faculty Diversity Postdoctoral Scholars Program. Before coming to Lehigh, I earned my Ph.D. in Informatics at Indiana University Bloomington and my B.S. in Computer Science and French at Trinity University. I study computer-mediated work, with a focus on how technologies like platformization and AI affect workers' autonomy. I also teach technology ethics to both undergraduate and graduate students. My passions are all deeply uncool, and include tabletop roleplaying games, cats, and hipster coffee shops.