Post-Doctoral Fellows
Sarah Blunk was born in Brazil and earned her bachelor’s degree in Physics at the Federal University of Paraná. She obtained her master’s degree in Science and Materials Engineering at the same institution, conducting research on the mechanical properties of glass-ceramic materials. She worked as a Laboratory Technician at UFPR for about four years, analyzing the nanomechanical properties of material surfaces. Sarah completed her PhD at the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, with research focused on PVD coatings for medical applications. During her PhD, she spent one year at McMaster University as an international student. In July 2024, Sarah joined MSECTL as a postdoctoral researcher, working on the mechanical and tribological analysis of ID-HVOF sprayed coatings. Additionally, she is a member of OrthoPETica, a Brazilian company dedicated to developing and producing 3D-printed polymeric prostheses for veterinary use. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, playing the violin, and spending time with her family.
Dr. Sara Blunk
Post-Doctoral Fellow
(2024 - present), Microstructure and tribological properties of thermal spray coatings
Dr. Alejandra Islas Encalada
Post-Doctoral Fellow
(2025 - present), Dual additive manufacturing of multilayered metallic structures
Alejandra was born in Mexico City, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering in the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), Mexico. In 2010, she joined a global manufacturer and supplier of steel pipes based in Veracruz, Mexico as part of the Global trainee program and then as a researcher in the Metallurgy and Materials Department. After 4 years, she decided to continue her master’s program in Metallurgic Engineering. Her experience is related to chemical, microstructural and mechanical characterization of HSLA steels for extreme environments. From 2019 - 2025 she was a PhD student in Prof. Chromik's group. She is now a post-doctoral fellow. She enjoys watching series, playing backgammon and minesweeper.
Graduate Students Currently Supervised
Lin Wu comes from Dalian, a coastal city in northeast of China. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering in the Xi’an Shiyou University in China. During her undergraduate, she majored in Size Effect of Cu/CuZr Nano-amorphous Composite Materials by molecular dynamics simulation as well as the optimization of microstructure of pipeline steel by heat treatment. She then working on the development and standard exploration on sacrificial high-performance separation membrane in Dalian Institute Of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Of Sciences. She is a big fan of comics. In leisure time, she enjoys swimming, skiing and playing games.
Lin Wu
DOCTORAL STUDENT
(2022 - present), High entropy thin films
Yu Gao
DOCTORAL STUDENT
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(2024 - present), Cold spray repair
Yu Gao is from Jixi, a city in northeast China. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Materials Physics from Jilin University, China. In September 2018, she joined Prof. Chromik’s research group as a master’s student, focusing on the microstructure and nanoindentation tests for Diamalloy 3001 and Diamalloy 3002 thermally sprayed coatings. In September 2024, she began her Ph.D. research, specializing on cold spray repair technology for reactive metals. In her leisure time, she likes hiking, swimming, and reading.
Sara was born in North Punjab, Pakistan, pursued her academic journey with distinction. She earned her bachelor's degree in applied physics from FUUAST Islamabad, where her research endeavors began in 2014 with a focus on Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy. She furthered her expertise by obtaining a master's degree in Materials Science Engineering from the Institute of Space Technology Islamabad in 2018. Her master's research centered on analyzing microstructures properties, adhesion strength of coatings utilizing High Velocity Oxy-Fuel thermal spray methodology.
Professionally, Sara has excelled as a lecturer of Physics at a reputable college since 2014 and served as Vice Principal from 2020 onwards. Additionally, she shared her knowledge as a visiting faculty member at FUUAST, teaching fundamentals of Materials Science Engineering to undergraduates. Beyond academics, Sara enjoys exploring culinary delights, nurturing plants, and expressing her creativity through sketching and drawing in her leisure time.
Sara Hashmi
DOCTORAL STUDENT
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(2024 - present), New coatings for journal bearing systems
Meizhen Jin
DOCTORAL STUDENT
(2025 - present), Dual additive manufacturing for metallic layered structures
Meizhen Jin is from Jilin, a city in northeast China. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Donghua University in China (2022), she worked on the luminescent properties of nanocrystals, specifically studying ZnSe: Mn quantum dots. During her postgraduate studies at the University of Manchester (2023), she focused on the structural and electrical properties of NaNbO3-SrTiO3 lead-free ceramics. In January 2025, she joined Prof. Chromik’s research group as a PhD student, working on the project Dual Additive Manufacturing Approach for Multilayered Metallic Structures. Beyond academics, she enjoys traveling and DIY clothing makeover.
Jingyi comes from Tangshan, an industrial city deeply influenced by Tang-dynasty culture. She received her bachelor's degree in the department of Mining and Materials Engineering at McGill University. During her undergraduate studies, she served as an undergraduate teaching assistant for introductory science courses and volunteered as a departmental student representative during McGill orientations. In the first year of her bachelor’s degree, she was selected for McGill SURE program, where she worked on a mineral processing project and contributed to a related paper publication. During her first co-op term, she advanced a research-based bioengineering project. Later, she actively participated in a course-based biomedical research project. She joined the research team during her second and third Co-op terms, where she investigated dual additive manufacturing for metallic layered structures, conducted research on the tribology of cold-sprayed high entropy composites, and contributed to a publication. In 2026, she continued her work with the group as a master's student. Her current research focuses on cold spray and cryotribology of high entropy composites. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, drawing, baking, and reading novels.
Jingyi Liang
MASTER'S STUDENT
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(2026 - present), Cryotribology of high entropy composites
Yue Shen
DOCTORAL STUDENT
(2025 - present), Laser claddings for antifouling and scratch adhesion test for thermal spray coatings
Yue Shen is a visiting PhD student in Prof. Richard Chromik’s group. She comes from North China Electric Power University, China, where she is pursuing her doctoral degree under the supervision of Prof. Zongde Liu. Prof. Liu’s research group focuses on laser cladding technologies for corrosion protection, antifouling, and wear resistance, with applications in marine engineering, power generation, and mining.
Yue received her bachelor’s degree from North China Electric Power University in 2021. She joined Prof. Liu’s research group in the same year and began her PhD studies in 2022. Her research focuses on laser-cladded coatings for marine anticorrosion, antifouling, and wear-resistant applications. In 2025, she joined Prof. Richard Chromik’s group as a visiting PhD student, where she is currently working on dual additive manufacturing methods for multilayer metallic structures project. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano and guitar.