Current Graduate Researchers

Cory R. Otto

PhD Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2025
E-Mail: crotto@crimson.ua.edu
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, North Dakota State University, 2019, Minor: Business Administration.
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida, 2021, Certificate: Engineering Leadership.
Research: Dissertation: Enhanced Laser Micro-Machining of Tubular Ni-Ti Alloys: Unraveling Reactive Gas Effects on Cut Rate and Thermal Damage. Nitinol laser machining, shape setting, microblasting, and electropolishing. 
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Alireza Doroudi

PhD Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2026
E-Mail: adoroudi@crimson.ua.edu
Education: M.S. Material Science and Engineering, Welding Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, 2016
Research: Laser peening, Ni-base superalloys, Aluminum alloys, Creep
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Caden Seely

MS Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2025
E-Mail: cgseely@crimson.ua.edu
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Alabama
Research: Laser Peening, Tensegrity Structures, Alloys and Superalloys

Zach Feller

MS Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2026
E-Mail: zafeller@crimson.ua.edu
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Physics, University of Alabama
Research: Laser Peening of High-Performance Gear Steels
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Past Graduate Researchers

Nick Brooks

PhD Mechanical Engineering, MS Mechanical Engineering
Graduation: May 2025
E-Mail: nabrooks1@crimson.ua.edu
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Alabama, 2021
Research: Surface Engineering, Materials Characterization, Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Failure Analysis
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Adam Thorsland

MS Mechanical Engineering
Graduation: May 2025
E-Mail: agthorsland@crimson.ua.edu
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Alabama
Research: Laser Peening of Metals

Ben Gulledge

MS Mechanical Engineering
Graduation: December 2024
E-Mail: bcgulledge@crimson.ua.edu
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Alabama
Research: Additive Manufacturing, Tensegrity Structures
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Russell Rowe

PhD Mechanical Engineering
Graduation: 2024
E-Mail: rarowe1@crimson.ua.edu
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Lamar University, 2019
Research: Impact Behavior of LP AM Structures, Surface Enhancements of Friction Stir Welded Materials
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Noah Holtham

PhD Mechanical Engineering
Graduation: 2024
E-Mail: nholtham@crimson.ua.edu
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Lamar University, 2020
Research: Laser Peening of Single Crystal Nickel-Based Superalloys
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Michael Munther

PhD Mechanical Engineering
Graduation: May 2022
E-Mail: mmunther@crimson.ua.edu
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Lamar University, 2016
Research: Laser Peening, Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Microfabrication 
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Luke Porter

Master’s Business Administration
Graduation: 2022
E-Mail: ljporter1@crimson.ua.edu
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Alabama, 2021
Research: Laser Peening of Single Crystal Nickel-Based Superalloys​
Publication: Mechanical, Morphological, and Microstructural Characterization of Additively Manufactured Inconel 718 After Laser Surface Remelting at Different Scan Speeds