Jay Pike
Ph.D. Student – Data Science and Engineering
[email protected]
Jay Pike graduated with his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 2021. As an undergraduate Jay assisted in Additive Manufacturing research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and the Composites Manufacturing and Simulation Center (CMSC). Jay is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Data Science and Engineering and a concurrent Masters in Mechanical Engineering through the Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Studies.
Chris O’Brien
Ph.D. Student – Data Science and Engineering
[email protected]
Chris O’Brien is a PhD candidate at the University of Tennessee working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His research applies computer vision and machine learning to complex imaging challenges across multiple domains. Beginning with biomedical signal processing, he then applied deep learning methods to automate phenotyping that accelerates the identification of drought-resistant genotypes for biofuel research. His current work focuses on intelligent manufacturing systems, such as developing thermal imaging-based adaptive control for large-format additive manufacturing and automated fiber characterization using deep learning.
Tyler Corum
Ph.D. Student – Mechanical Engineering
[email protected]
Tyler Corum graduated from the University of Tennessee, where he earned his B.S. (2021) and M.S. (2024) in Mechanical Engineering. As an undergraduate student, Tyler worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the PCAM lab, performing work with fiber measurement, compression molding, and thermal expansion measurements. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM). His research focuses on relating the thermomechanical response of polymer composites to microstructural features for the aerospace composite tooling industry. Outside of lab work, Tyler enjoys smoking BBQ, watching football, and spending time with family.
Aywan Das
Ph.D. Student – Mechanical Engineering
[email protected]
Aywan Das is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research focuses on polymer composite extrusion for large-format additive manufacturing, with emphasis on correlating screw geometry, venting strategies, and processing conditions to fiber length retention, orientation, and porosity formation in fiber-reinforced thermoplastics. His work involves experimental extrusion trials, rheological characterization, and microstructural analysis to establish predictive correlations between screw design and composite microstructure. Prior to joining UTK, he completed his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Carolina, where he developed a robotic, pellet-fed, large-format 3D printing system. His interests include traveling, watching soccer, and movies.
Nafisa Fairuz
Ph.D. Student – Energy Science and Engineering
[email protected]
Nafisa Fairuz is a rheologist currently pursuing a PhD at the Bredesen Center at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. As a materials science engineer, her research focuses on exploring the viscoelastic properties and flow behavior of materials to optimize 3D-printed components for large-format additive manufacturing. She is currently working with fiber reinforced high-temperature thermoplastic materials, aiming to enhance their processing performance and mechanical properties through rheological characterization and material optimization.