Lab Manager
Cass (Haoyang) Li, MSc, P.Eng.
Haoyang (Cass) is currently a joint Lab Manager at ANGAM and CDAM at the University of Alberta. Haoyang graduated in October 2019 with an MSc degree under the supervision of Dr. Hogan at the University of Alberta. His expertise is in both material science, including material characterization, failure analysis, and fracture mechanisms of brittle materials, and experimental mechanics, including rate-dependent compression and ballistic testing. Haoyang is familiar with multiple camera systems, digital image correlation, and other experimental design components.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Asad Asad
Dr. Asad Asad is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the ANGAM lab at the University of Alberta. He earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta in 2021, focusing on water filtration, additive manufacturing, and lightweight materials. His ongoing research efforts are dedicated to developing novel metallic materials with superior mechanical properties using laser additive manufacturing, particularly for applications in extreme conditions such as the nuclear and defence sectors. Dr. Asad’s work aims to advance the understanding and implementation of innovative materials to address the evolving challenges in these critical areas. He also works as an Academic Teaching Staff in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Monica Guimarães
Dr. Monica Guimarães is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the ANGAM lab at the University of Alberta, with expertise in materials characterization, surface integrity, superalloy machining, and the development of ceramic coatings. Her current research is focused on the additive manufacturing of silicon carbide (SiC) for nuclear small modular reactor (SMR) applications. Monica earned her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Campinas, Brazil, where she investigated surface and subsurface damage in Inconel caused by machining processes. Her academic background also includes specialized knowledge in magnetron sputtering coatings and materials engineering.
Doctor of Philosophy
Zeyad Abouelkasem
Zeyad is a PhD graduate student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta, specializing in advanced manufacturing and materials. He holds a Master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Alexandria University, where he developed skills in materials characterization and materials engineering. Zeyad’s research focuses on additive manufacturing of silicon carbide for nuclear applications. His work is driven by a passion for innovation and practical solutions in the field of manufacturing and materials engineering. Zeyad is also known for his strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and collaborative approach.
Hanieh Ahmadi
Hanieh is currently a PhD student at the University of Alberta, working on laser-based additive manufacturing of stainless steel alloys and composites, as well as the evaluation of their performance under harsh in-service conditions for aerospace applications. During her MSc under the co-supervision of Drs. Hogan and Yakout at the University of Alberta, she investigated the mechanical behaviour of medium-entropy alloys for hydrogen-related applications, with a focus on hydrogen embrittlement using experimental methods. She has a strong interest in the mechanical properties of materials and advanced characterization, with a particular fascination for metals.
Amir Chadegani
Amir is a PhD student in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta, working under the co-supervision of Drs. Li and Yakout. He joined the ANGAM lab in Winter 2025. His research focuses on laser additive manufacturing of Al-Mg alloys doped with rare-earth elements to improve mechanical performance and microstructural stability. Amir holds a bachelor’s degree in materials engineering and a master’s degree in a multidisciplinary program between mechanical and materials engineering, giving him a broad foundation in alloy design, welding, and advanced manufacturing. Outside of research, Amir enjoys hiking and swimming.
Haonan Chen
Haonan joined the ANGAM lab in September 2025 as a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta. He is studying laser-beam directed energy deposition (DED-LB) of 316L and 316H stainless steels to enhance material service performance in nuclear small modular reactor (SMR) applications. Haonan earned his MSc in Materials and Chemical Engineering from Zhengzhou University, China. During his previous studies, he focused on the preparation, performance testing, and characterization of structural materials, including ceramics and metals.
Hosein Geramizadeh
Hosein is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta, working under the co-supervision of Drs. Yakout and Hogan. His research focuses on laser additive manufacturing of Inconel 718 alloy for space applications. He is particularly interested in the dynamic behavior of advanced materials and in combining experimental methods with numerical simulations to enhance material performance under extreme conditions. He has an academic background in structural analysis, experimental testing, finite element modeling, and theoretical studies.
Zahra Mohebi
Zahra is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta, working under the co-supervision of Drs. Yakout and Romanyk. Her research focuses on laser additive manufacturing of zirconia and advanced ceramics for dental applications. She earned her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Materials Engineering from Isfahan University of Technology. Her early research focused on understanding the corrosion behavior of biocompatible coatings and how surface modification influences their performance in biological environments. During her master’s studies, she expanded her work into soft biomaterials, developing natural drug-delivery carriers and environmentally friendly, biocompatible wound dressings. These projects have shaped her interest in creating sustainable materials and translating them into practical solutions for biomedical applications.
Abraham Yanes
Abraham joined the University of Alberta in September 2025 as a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering under the co-supervision of Drs. Hogan and Yakout. His research focuses on defect formation and control in laser-beam directed energy deposition (DED-LB) through the integration of advanced sensing, image analysis, and hybrid machine-learning models for real-time process optimization. His work aims to advance the understanding and mitigation of defect mechanisms toward stable, defect-free additive manufacturing.
Master of Science
Ben Harbarenko
Ben graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in December 2024 and shortly after joined ANGAM as an MSc student in Mechanical Engineering. Ben has made an effort to tailor his undergraduate studies towards a career in the aerospace field, contributing significantly to AlbertaSat as well as participating in CaNoRock XXIII. Ben has an interest in manufacturing and considerable hands-on experience with CNC machining and additive manufacturing. Ben’s current MSc research involves additive manufacturing and characterization of silicon carbide (SiC) for nuclear applications.
Benson (Ying-huang) Ho
Benson Ho is an MSc student co-supervised by Drs. Hogan and Yakout in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta, where he also completed his bachelor’s degree in the same field. His academic focus is on advanced ceramic materials, with current research centered on hydrogen embrittlement in ceramics and the prevention of carbon deposition in methane pyrolysis reactors. Through his studies and research, Benson aims to contribute to advancements in materials engineering and sustainable energy technologies.
Yicheng Wang
Yicheng started his MSc study at the University of Alberta in September 2025, under the supervision of Dr. Yakout. Previously, he completed his bachelor’s degree in Engineering at McMaster University, where he learned the foundational knowledge of materials science, as well as discovered his passion about the advanced manufacturing techniques of metal alloys with enhanced properties. His research mainly focuses on laser-directed energy deposition of high-temperature materials for small modular reactors. Outside the lab, he enjoys making model figures, random hiking, and playing/watching soccer games.
Krutskaya Yepez
Krutskaya is an MSc student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on studying laser-beam powder bed fusion of Inconel 617 superalloys that are used in nuclear small modular reactors, and also on modelling solidification processes to better understand and optimize material properties. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, with a focus on materials engineering, from Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) in Ecuador. She also served as a laboratory technician and instructor in the USFQ Mechanical Engineering Department. Her expertise includes microstructural characterization of coatings and components, particularly those produced by additive manufacturing technologies.
Burak Yilmaz
Burak Yilmaz is currently an MSc student at the University of Alberta, co-supervised by Drs. Hogan and Yakout, focusing on the development and utilization of a tensile split Hopkinson pressure bar facility. His research involves conducting high-strain-rate tests on additively manufactured materials such as aluminum-Sc and high-temperature materials. Through these experiments, Burak aims to enhance the understanding of the mechanical properties of advanced materials under dynamic loading conditions, contributing to advancements in the field of material science.
Research Assistants
Michael Bremner
Michael is a second-year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Alberta, with interests in additive manufacturing for aerospace, nuclear, and robotic applications. In the ANGAM lab, he is working on the laser additive manufacturing of ceramics (e.g., SiC) for the F2025 and W2026 terms.
Ethan Chua
Ethan is the Manager of the Elko Engineering Garage, a makerspace in the Faculty of Engineering. He earned his BSc in Mechanical Engineering in 2021 and is registered as an Engineer-in-Training in ALberta. At ANGAM, Ethan is working on characterization and additive manufacturing of Cu-Ni alloys using laser powder bed fusion for oil & gas energy applications. At the Garage, his work supports students’ and staff’s design and manufacturing-related projects through training, troubleshooting, and access to a variety of fabrication equipment.
Tristan Miller
Tristan Miller is a third-year Mechanical Engineering Co-op undergraduate student at the University of Alberta. Tristan is interested in investigating how additive manufacturing can introduce new material options that help address demanding operating environments. At ANGAM, Tristan earned a Dean’s Research Award (DRA) to work on laser-beam powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) of Inconel 617 for nuclear small modular reactor (SMR) applications.
Jaimin Nelson
Jaimin is a third-year Mechanical Engineering Co-op student at the University of Alberta. He is interested in advanced additive manufacturing for aerospace, energy, and robotic applications. At ANGAM, he earned a Dean’s Research Award (DRA) to research how to minimize errors in manufacturing Inconel 718 during the W2026 term.
Darcie Sol Ayala Tapia
Darcie Sol Ayala Tapia is a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering undergraduate student at the University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC) in Peru. Through academic projects, she has gained experience in process simulation, mechanical design, and energy systems analysis. Her interests focus on laser additive manufacturing and the performance of high-temperature, high-strength materials for advanced energy applications. At ANGAM, Darcie is a visiting student working on laser additive manufacturing of Inconel 617 for nuclear small modular reactor applications.
