Lab Manager
Name: Cass (Haoyang) Li, MSc, P.Eng.
Program: Lab Manager
Date Joined: June 2024
Bio: Haoyang (Cass) is currently a joint Lab Manager at ANGAM and CDAM. Haoyang graduated in Oct 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
Name: Asad Asad
Program: Postdoctoral Fellow
Date Joined: January 2024
Bio: Dr. Asad Asad is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Alberta Next-Generation Additive Manufacturing (ANGAM) laboratory at the University of Alberta (UofA). He earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the UofA 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 (ATS) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the UofA.
Name: Monica Guimarães
Program: Postdoctoral Fellow
Date Joined: November 2024
Bio: Dr. Monica Guimarães is a Postdoctoral Fellow 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 Modular Nuclear Reactor applications. Monica earned her Ph.D. 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
Name: Amir Chadegani
Program: PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Date Joined: Winter 2025
Co-Supervisor: Leijun Li
Bio: Amir Ahmadi Chadegani is a PhD student in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta. He joined the Alberta Next-Generation Additive Manufacturing (ANGAM) group in Winter 2025. His research focuses on laser additive manufacturing of Al-Mg alloys with rare earth elements to improve mechanical performance and microstructural stability. Amir’s project is co-supervised by Dr. Li and Dr. Yakout. He 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.
Name: Haonan Chen
Program: PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Date Joined: Fall 2025
Bio: Haonan earned his Master’s degree 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. He is currently a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta, and will join the ANGAM Laboratory in September 2025. He is studying laser-directed energy deposition of alloys and steels to enhance material service performance.
Name: Hosein Geramizadeh
Program: PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Date Joined: Fall 2025
Co-Supervisor: Mostafa Yakout
Bio: Hosein Geramizadeh is a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta. His research at ANGAM & CDAM focuses on the 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.
Name: Faezeh Hosseini
Program: PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Date Joined: Fall 2023
Bio: Faezeh is currently a PhD student who joined the Alberta Next-Generation Additive Manufacturing (ANGAM) group in September 2023. She is working on “Laser Additive Manufacturing of a Novel Sc-Doped Aluminum Alloy for Hydrogen Applications.” Her research aims to optimize laser parameters to produce crack-free parts and minimize the risk of hydrogen embrittlement, contributing to safer and more effective hydrogen storage solutions.
Name: Amir Jamali
Program: PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Date Joined: Fall 2025
Bio: Amir Jamali has always been a straight-A student who obtained his Master’s Degree from Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic) in 2021. Having specialized in the field of Materials Engineering-Welding & Joining, he has obtained NDT level II certificates in modules of VT, PT, MT, RT & UT, and he is a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). In September 2024, Amir started his Ph.D. under the supervision of Dr. Yakout at the University of Alberta (UofA). As a Ph.D. student, he has an insatiable appetite for studying Additive Manufacturing (AM) of High-Temperature Materials (HTMs), investigating their fatigue and creep behavior under extreme environments. His project focuses on microstructural and mechanical properties investigations of HTMs manufactured through AM including Nickel, Titanium, and Titanium Aluminides, which have been employed in small modular reactors. Amir’s main goals are finding practical solutions for engineering problems, pushing the frontiers of knowledge, and obtaining new experiences in this journey as he is a determined and tenacious researcher who enjoys being the better version of his yesterday!
Name: Zeyad Mohamed
Program: PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Date Joined: Winter 2025
Bio: Zeyad A. Abouelkasem 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. Known for his strong analytical skills, attention to details, and collaborative approach, Zeyad’s research focuses on additive manufacturing of silicon carbide. His work is driven by a passion for innovation and practical solutions in the field of manufacturing and materials engineering.
Name: Abraham Yanes
Program: PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Date Joined: Fall 2025
Co-Superviosr: Mostafa Yakout
Bio: Abraham joined the University of Alberta in September 2025 as a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses on defect formation and control in laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) 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
Name: Ahmed Abdelrahman
Program: MSc in Mechanical Engineering
Date Joined: Fall 2024
Bio: Ahmed obtained a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Minia University in Egypt, where he focused his research on the durability of spur gears produced through 3D printing. In addition, he served as a materials testing research assistant at Minia University. Ahmed has also acquired practical experience through internships at esteemed factories and research institutes during that time. Since joining ANGAM in Fall 2024, Ahmed’s research focuses on laser additive manufacturing of high entropy alloys (HEAs) containing critical minerals, with an emphasis on doping HEAs with critical minerals using mechanical alloying.
Name: Hanieh Ahmadi
Program: MSc in Mechanical Engineering
Date Joined: Fall 2023
Co-supervisor: James Hogan
Bio: Hanieh Ahmadi is an MSc student at the University of Alberta, starting her studies in fall 2023. She specializes in high-entropy alloys (HEAs) and medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) under the guidance of Prof. Hogan and Prof. Yakout. Her thesis focuses on the laser directed energy deposition of HEAs for hydrogen applications, particularly investigating hydrogen embrittlement and the mechanical behavior of additively manufactured parts through experimental methods. Hanieh is passionate about the advanced characterization of metallic materials to understand the underlying mechanisms behind their mechanical behavior, and she is pursuing this passion in her research path.
Name: Ben Harbarenko
Program: MSc in Mechanical Engineering
Date Joined: Winter 2025
Bio: Ben will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in December 2024 and start his MSc journal at ANGAM in Winter 2025. 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 3D printing. Ben’s MSc project involves additive manufacturing of silicon carbide (SiC) small modular reactors (SMR) applications.
Name: Benson (Ying-huang) Ho
Program: MSc in Mechanical Engineering
Date Joined: Fall 2024
Co-Supervisor: Mostafa Yakout
Bio: Benson Ho is a master’s student with Dr. James Hogan 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.
Name:Yicheng Wang
Program: MSc in Mechanical Engineering
Date Joined: Fall 2025
Bio: Yicheng is starting his M.Sc 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.
Name: Krutskaya Yepez
Program: MSc in Mechanical Engineering
Date Joined: Winter 2025
Bio: Krutskaya is currently a MSc student at the University of Alberta (UofA), working on the Future Energy Systems (FES) project. Her research focuses on studying laser additive manufacturing technologies for materials that can be used in 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 the microstructure characterization of coatings and components, particularly those produced through additive manufacturing technologies.
Name: Burak Yilmaz
Program: MSc in Mechanical Engineering
Date Joined: Fall 2023
Co-supervisor: Mostafa Yakout
Bio: Burak Yilmaz is currently an MSc student at the University of Alberta, co-supervised Mostafa 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, Inconel alloys, Ti-6Al-4V, 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
Name: Michael Bremner
Program: Research Intern (Part-Time)
Date Joined: Fall 2025
Bio: Michael is a second year mechanical engineering student at the UofA, with interests in additive manufacturing for aerospace, nuclear, and robotic applications. He will be working on the laser additive manufacturing of ceramics (e.g., SiC) for the F2025 term.
Name: Ethan Chua
Program: Safety Manager/Research Assistant (Part-Time)
Date Joined: Fall 2025
Bio: 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. 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. At ANGAM, Ethan is interested in gaining experience wth advanced additive manufacturing and related analysis techniques by supporting and contributing to the lab’s work.
Name: Katrina Hamdon
Program: Research Assistant (Part-Time)
Date Joined: Winter 2025
Bio: My name is Katrina Hamdon, and I am currently in my third year of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta. I am interested in exploring various additive manufacturing processes and optimizing them for diverse applications, such as aerospace and production. At ANGAM, I am excited to work on additive manufacturing of nickel-based super alloys for nuclear applications. I look forward to learning from and contributing to the team’s efforts in this innovative field!
Name: Tristan Miller
Program: Research Assistant (Part-Time)
Date Joined: Fall 2025
Bio: 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 is eager to work on laser powder bed fusion of Inconel 617 for Small Modular Reactors.
Name: Joel Rhymer
Program: Co-op Research Assistant
Date Joined: Fall 2025
Bio: My name is Joel Rhymer, and I am a fifth-year Mechanical Engineering undergraduate student at the University of Alberta. At ANGAM, I am excited to conduct research on additive manufacturing of stainless steel for nuclear applications.