Current Undergraduate Students

Austin Merchant

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)

Professor Thompson has mentored several undergraduate students in research efforts. This work has been supported primarily through National Science Foundation REU supplement grants or other sources of funding. 

Alumni, out-of-state REU

David Jacobson

  • 2016 REU, The University of Arkansas
  • Topic: Modeling of the early stages of thin film growth


Jonathan Winterstein

  • 2004 NSF-REU, Washington State University
  • Co-mentored with Professor Mark Weaver 
  • Topic: Growth and characterization of amorphous metal forming alloy thin films.

Jennifer Thompson

  • 2007 NSF-REU, West Virginia State University 
  • Topic: Growth and characterization of FePt(Cu) thin films

Paul Allred

  • 2008 NSF-REU, University of Utah
  • Topic: Growth and characterization of FePt(Cr) thin films

Alumni, UA Departmental REU

Matt Schick

  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering, The University of Alabama, 
  • B.S. Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, The University of Alabama, 

Chad Hornbuckle

  • 2008 NSF-REU, The University of Alabama
  • B.S. Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, The University of Alabama, 2009
  • Topic: Characterization of Cu segregation during the phase transformation in FePt thin films. This work is jointly sponsored by the Microscopy of America’s Undergraduate Research Award and Professor Thompson’s NSF CAREER award.
Chad Hornbuckle working on the LEAP

Jordan Houston

  • B.S. Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, The University of Alabama, 2008
  • Topic: Atom probe analysis and corrosion studies on heavily drawn 304 stainless steel wire.

Robbie Laney

  • B.S. Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, The University of Alabama, 2005
  • Topic: Influence of substrate bias on the growth and texture of FePt thin films

Josh Rooker

  • Research supported by UA’s Center for Vehicle Technology (CAVT)
  • B.S. Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, The University of Alabama, 2005
  • Topic: Construction of a CO gas sensing station. This was used to characterize the influence of SnO2 thin film texture on gas sensitivity