Supervisor: Dr Kathy Christofidou (Co-supervisor: Professor Iain Todd)

Joshua Berry studied physics at the University of Sheffield, obtaining a master’s degree, before switching to material science, taking a PhD position also at the University of Sheffield.

His research project focuses on the development and design of high hardness and wear resistant high entropy alloy (HEA) systems for the most demanding metal forming tooling applications, replacing the conventional tungsten carbide based components. The HEAs need to be designed to be suitable for manufacture via laser based additive methods to enable fast and efficient prototyping as well as improved sustainability and reduced cost.

Outside of work, Joshua enjoys both playing and watching football.

Supervisor: Dr Lewis Owen (Co-supervisor: Helen Playford, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source)

Tom completed his Masters in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield in 2023, with a final year reserach project that focused on the corrosion behaviour of CoCrMo alloys used in medical implants. Tom was keen to explore something different and was excited to find an opportunity to stay in the field of Metallurgy in Sheffield. 

Tom's PhD project focusses on total scattering techniques for in-situ tensile lattice characterisation. This project is collaboration with the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source.

Supervisor: Dr Adrian Leyland (Co-supervisor:  Dr Kathy Christofidou and Professor Russell Goodall)

Ciaran graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2021, obtaining an MChem in Chemistry with Study in Australasia. After a year out working as a science technician, he joined the Sheffield CDT cohort in September 2022. His research will focus on creating high entropic alloy based coatings for the corrosion protection of automotive stamped steel. 

In his spare time, Ciaran enjoys watching and playing lots of sports, mainly rugby, Aussie rules football, American Football and F1 . On a quieter day off he enjoys driving as well as cooking and baking dishes far beyond his skill level.

Supervisor: Dr Lewis Owen (Co-supervisor: Dr Amy Gandy)

Having been a student at the University of Sheffield since 2015, Ben Jolly achieved a BSc in Physics and an MSc in Materials Science & Engineering.  

Ben is currently undertaking research in pursuit of a doctorate with the Advanced Metallic Systems CDT, exploring novel analytical methods for assessing local environments in multicomponent systems. Encompassing a number of specialised materials - including high-entropy alloys - such systems are of potential significance to the future of the nuclear and aerospace industries.

Supervisor: Dr Kathy Christofidou (Co-supervisor: Dr Lewis Owen)

Narcisa Pinzariu has been working within Integrated Manufacturing Group (Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre) since October 2017 after graduating from the University of Sheffield with a Master's in Chemical and Biological Engineering. 

During her time at AMRC, she established a transmission Laue X-ray diffraction method to detect internally presenting grain defects in single-crystal aerospace components. Her PhD thesis focuses on expanding the Laue diffraction method already created to include a qualitative determination of spatially resolved stress concentrations.  

Supervisor: Dr Lewis Owen (Co-supervisor: Dr Phil Chater, Professor Iain Todd)

Niels began his academic journey with a focus on chemistry at Maastricht University (Netherlands). Upon completion of his bachelor's degree, he joined the group in Sheffield as a CDT student in 2022. His research is focused on the high temperature total scattering analysis of metallic systems. 

Outside of work, Niels enjoys playing squash and golf as well as cooking big meals that take forever.

Supervisor: Dr Kathy Christofidou (Co-supervisor: Dr Matthew Brown, Dr Lewis Owen)

Jonah began studying Metallurgy at the University of Sheffield in 2018, graduating with a Master’s degree before joining the group as a PhD student in 2022.

His research aims to develop non-destructive evaluation methods to characterise surface deformation of high-performance Ni-based superalloys following machining. Jonah is working in collaboration with Sandvik, Seco Tools and Rolls-Royce plc, with the expectation that greater insight into deformation will enable more reliable predications for component life. 

Supervisor: Dr Lewis Owen (Co-supervisor: Professor Eleni Vasilaki)

Supervisor: Dr Kathy Christofidou (Co-supervisor: Professor Martin Jackson)

Fran graduated from the National University of Ireland, Galway where she obtained her BSc in Applied Physics, and MSc in Key Enabling Technologies. She developed an interest in materials science during her undergraduate degree after studying modules such as solid state physics and properties of materials. During her masters she decided to pursue a career in research and development in materials science which led her to the Advanced Metallics Systems CDT, where she is a PhD student in the 2020 cohort. 

Her PhD is titled ‘Developing high Co-containing Ni-based superalloys with improved oxidation behaviour for future jet-engine applications’, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce Plc.

Supervisor: Dr Kathy Christofidou (Co-supervisor:  Professor Russell Goodall)

Martin joined the group as a Masters student in 2021 where he worked on a final year project in collaboration with Paralloy. It  focused on investigating the creep degradation mechanisms of a centrifugally casted nickel superalloy using a combination of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy techniques. 

Following his graduation, Martin is now continuing as a PhD student; his research focusses on accelerated alloy design for blue hydrogen steam reformer applications, running in collaboration with Paralloy. His work utilises a mix of advanced characterisation methods. thermodynamic simulations, and high-throughput experiments, drastically reducing the time required compared to traditional alloy design. 

Outside of research, he is an avid baker and houseplant enthusiast, and is also on a mission to transform the office into a botanical garden.

Supervisor: Dr Lewis Owen (Co-supervisor: Dr Kathy Christofidou)

Matt graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2022, obtaining an MEng in Materials Science and Engineering. Matt developed an interest in advanced alloys during his undergraduate and is now working on a PhD titled “Exploration of local structural environment in radiation damage tolerant materials”. 

This PhD aims to explore material properties in high entropy alloys through the use of total scattering techniques to look at the local structure of these materials, which will provide significant impacts in the nuclear industry. 

Supervisor: Professor Russel Goodall (Co-supervisor:  Dr Kathy Christofidou)

Sophie achieved a MEng in General Engineering with a Year in industry from the University of Sheffield, graduating in 2023. Having studied the full range of engineering disciplines she chose to specialise in Materials Science and Engineering in the 3rd year of her undergraduate degree.

For her masters project, Sophie investigated compositionally complex alloys for nuclear fusion applications. This is an application she found a passion for, leading her to continue researching fusion materials in her PhD: ‘Exploration of using ferrous alloys as radiation damage resistant materials for fusion.’

Supervisor: Professor Martin Jackson (Co-supervisor:  Dr Kathy Christofidou )

Henry's research centres on studying the tool wear that occurs when machining nickel-based superalloys. Outside of work Henry can be found doing DIY jobs at home in the hope that he will one day finish his house renovation. 

Supervisor: Professor Ian Todd (Co-supervisor: Professor Eleni Vasilaki)

Karol graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2022, earning an MEng in Materials Science and Engineering. His final year project explored the topic of engineering nanotwin boundaries in magnesium alloys. Driven by a passion for metallurgy, Karol pursued a PhD at Sheffield, focusing on laser processing and additive manufacturing of eutectic in-situ composites. His research delves into understanding the rapid solidification behavior of these material systems and optimizing their additive manufacturing processing.

Supervisor: Professor Iain Todd (Co-supervisor:  Dr Kathy Christofidou )

Henry graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2022, obtaining an MEng in Materials Science and Engineering. Having done his masters project on additive manufacturing, he is now continuing this work, researching into advanced process control with the aim of tailoring microstructures within a part. 

Supervisor: Professor Iain Todd (Co-supervisor:  Dr Kathy Christofidou )

Alex graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2016 with an MAI in Manufacturing Engineering, specialising in cryogenic workpiece clamping techniques.  After continuing this work as a research assistant within the university for six months, he decided to take a gap year to go travelling.  One year became four, and Alex eventually returned to Europe in 2021 to pursue a PhD within the Advanced Metallic Systems CDT at University of Sheffield.

His work focuses on the control of Laser Powder Bed Fusion in Additive Manufacturing techniques, specifically the use of laser power, laser velocity, and scan strategy, to produce non-porous melt pools of any size for any given part geometry.  His work is being sponsored by Boeing.