Post-Docs

Shweta Sharma

Network analysis of microstructure of dense suspensions under shear; Rheology of rigid particle suspensions in viscoelastic fluids

B.Tech: Chemical Engineering, ITGGV Bilaspur

M.Tech: Chemical Engineering, IIT Roorkee

Ph.D.: Chemical Engineering, IIT Kanpur

Awards, Honors, and Recognitions:

Selected among the top Ph.D. and postdoctoral research scholars faculty candidates from institutions across the United States, NSF-Sponsored Future Faculty Workshop, University of California, Irvine

Network analysis of dense suspension; Dense suspension with hydrodynamics and Brownian dynamics; Particle interaction in Non-Newtonian fluids

BS: Macromolecular Science & Engineering, Fudan University

MSc: Materials Science & Engineering, University of Southern California

Ph.D.: Materials Science & Engineering, Clemson University

Awards, Honors, and Recognitions:

Ohio Polymer and Soft Matter Symposium 1st Place Poster

Sidong Tu

Graduate Students

Muzaffar Rafique

Colloid-polymer mixtures, rheology and transport phenomena in dense suspensions under simple shear

BS: Mechanical Engineering, Bilkent University

MSc: Material Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, Turkey

Armin Aminimajd

Prediction of Rheology and Microstructure of Suspensions, utilizing Machine Learning

BS: Polymer Engineering, Qom University of Technology

Awards, Honors, and Recognitions:

Society of Rheology Travel Grant (2024)

Selected for the "Most Popular 2025 Articles" Collection, Soft Matter Journal

Featured in "10 Research Breakthroughs at CWRU", Case Western Reserve University

CFD-DEM coupling with lubrication forces, confined DEM simulation, Persistence Homology

BS: Mechanical Engineering, Bilkent University

MSc: Computational Mechanics, Fluids Specialization, University of Porto, Portugal

Awards, Honors, and Recognitions:

2024 Callahan Fellowship. Awarded for the most promising and academically qualified PhD applicants to the Case School of Engineering.


Orhun Ayar

Undergraduate Students

Alessandro d’Amico

Network and Loop Analysis of Dense Suspensions

BS (expected 2026): Chemical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University

Ryan Pappalardo

Network Evolution under Shear Reversal, Implementation of LF-DEM Walls

BS (expected 2026): Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University

Rotational Microstructure in Shear Thickening

BS (Expected 2028): Engineering Physics, Case Western Reserve University

Antonio Maia

Ria Duggal

Polydispersity in Shear Thickening, Attraction, Shear Reversal

BS (expected 2028): Chemical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University

Alumni

Caroline Kier

BS (expected 2026): Macromolecular Science & Engineering, Case Western Reserve University

Lucas MacielBueno

BS (expected 2026): Physics, Case Western Reserve University

BS: Computer Science, Case Western Reserve University

Temple Shema

Karthik Rajasekar

BS (expected 2027): Mechanical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University

Maya Carroll

High School Student, Summer 2023 & Summer 2024

Alayah Anderson

High School Student, Summer 2025

Muzaffar Rafique

Graduate Student (Macromolecular Science & Engineering)

I originally hail from Pakistan and completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Bilkent University in Turkey. During my master’s program, my research primarily centered around exploring the mechanical properties of polyelectrolyte hydrogels by employing computational techniques. Presently, I am pursuing a Ph.D. in the Macromolecular Science and Engineering department at CWRU, where my research is focused on examining the microscopic and rheological aspects of dense suspensions. In my leisure time, I enjoy activities such as indulging in music and podcasts, immersing myself in literature, participating in volleyball matches, and engaging in workouts at the gym. One interesting tidbit about me is my deep fascination with Formula 1 cars, as they represent the epitome of engineering excellence.

Armin Aminimajd

Graduate Student (Macromolecular Science and Engineering, co-advised with Joao Maia)

I'm originally from Tehran, Iran, and I've got a background in Polymer Engineering. Currently, at CWRU, I'm knee-deep in my PhD research, exploring "Applying Machine Learning to Suspensions." Beyond academics, I find immense joy in activities that connect me with nature: hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, and engaging in sports like volleyball and ping pong. Whenever I have free time, you'll likely find me out in nature with my friends, camping or having a picnic. One fun fact about me is that I'm a big fan of Persian food, and I'm trying my hand at cooking up some delicious dishes.

Alessandro D’Amico

Undergraduate Student (Chemical Engineering)

I’m from San Francisco, CA (USA). I’m studying Chemical Engineering and currently taking OChem 2, Circuits, Thermodynamics, and Intro to Chemical Systems. I’m working on analyzing mesoscale characteristics of simulation data. My biggest hobby is theater: freshman year I was in a theater department shows; this semester I will be a Player’s Theater Group theater production (hopefully, my odds are pretty good). A fun fact about me is that I love to SCUBA dive and love talking about corals, sponges, and fish!

Lucas Maciel Bueno

Undergraduate Student (Physics)

I am from Olinda, one of the original settlements on the North East coasts of Brazil. I am an undergraduate Majoring in Physics and Math currently taking linear algebra and complex analysis. Also, I am one of the SIs for the first-year mechanics class this semester. I am focusing on developing a community detection algorithm using new strategies from topological data analysis. Besides school, I enjoy going to the gym with my roommate, binge-watching movies and TV shows with my friends, and reading philosophy books.

Caroline Kier

Undergraduate Student (Macromolecular Science & Engineering)

I am from Wheaton, IL, which is a suburb of Chicago. I am studying polymer science and engineering on the biomaterials track. The classes that I am most interested in this semester are Physical chemistry for engineers (EMAC 351) and Intro to Polymer Science and Engineering (EMAC 270). I am working on a visualization of particle interactions. Apart from academics I am also involved in the rowing team at CWRU as a coxswain, meaning I am the short person who yells at the rowers telling them what to do. A fun fact is that the quetzalcoatlus is the largest flying animal ever recorded and had an estimated wingspan of 10m. A fun fact about me is that I can name most of the geologic time periods in order.

Ryan Pappalardo

Undergraduate Student (Chemistry)

I’m originally from Warrenton, Virginia (about an hour west of DC), and I’m here at CWRU studying chemistry. My research focuses on particles with attractive stresses, specifically, how different properties(strength of attraction, system size, initial conditions, etc.) impact the yield stress of the suspension. I also work as a TA for ENGR 145. Outside of academics, I like to read, build and launch rockets, and work out.

Temple Shema

Undergraduate Student (Computer and Data Science)

TBD