Materials for Extreme Environments

People

Leadership

Thomas E. Lacy, Jr.

Director and Principal Investigator, Materials for Extreme Environments (MEE)
Professor, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

Thomas Lacy429 Mechanical Engineering Office Building,
3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Email: telacyjr@tamu.edu
Faculty Webpage

Dr. Thomas E. Lacy Jr. received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.  He joined the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M as a Professor in 2018.  He worked for nearly ten years as a practicing aerospace engineer.  Dr. Lacy teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in solid mechanics and materials/structures.  His research focuses on multifunctional composite materials for extreme environments, multiscale modeling, hypervelocity impacts, aerospace structures, computational solid mechanics, and durability and damage tolerance.  Dr. Lacy has published 62 refereed journal articles, two book chapters, 59 conference proceedings, and over 25 technical reports in these areas and has been recognized for his contributions to both teaching and research.  He received a 2009 SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award and was selected to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and Who’s Who in Engineering Education.  Dr. Lacy has received a number of university-level awards for outstanding teaching, is a member of the Mississippi State University (MSU) Bagley College of Engineering (BCoE) Academy for Distinguished Teachers, received a 2012-2013 MSU Faculty Leadership Award, and won the 2017 MSU BCoE Outstanding Researcher Award.  He has received over $3.5M dollars in external research as PI from the DoD, FAA, NSF, Boeing, and other sources. Dr. Lacy chaired 13 doctoral and 12 masters committees and currently advises 12 graduate students.  He served as a scientific advisor to Golf Digest magazine.  Dr. Lacy is a fellow in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and is an associate fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.  Dr. Lacy is a member of the Sigma Gamma Tau National Aerospace Engineering Honor Society and is a founding university partner/ collaborator with the NASA Glenn Multiscale Analysis Center of Excellence.  While at MSU, Dr. Lacy served as interim Head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering (2013-2016) and Chief Technology Officer in the Advanced Composites Institute (2018).

Kalyan Raj Kota

Research Engineer, Hypervelocity Impact Laboratory
Senior Research Engineer III, TEES – Strategic Initiatives

2336 Center for Infrastructure Renewal, 3476 TAMU, TAMU-RELLIS Campus, Bryan, TX 77807

Hometown: Nellore, AP, India
Email: kkraj@tamu.edu
Cell: (662)617-9196

TEES People Page

Dr. Kota is part of Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station working as a Senior Research Engineer. Raj holds MS and Ph.D. from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Mississippi State University. Prior to joining strategic initiatives, he was a Research Engineer for  Materials for Extreme Environments in the George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex. His current research focuses on the aspects of hypervelocity impact testing, material characterization, shock physics, and equations of state development for materials modeling. His research interests include hypervelocity impacts, finite element simulations of dynamic events, mechanics of aerospace composites, UAS collision severity evaluation, fatigue and fracture of aerospace materials, non-destructive evaluation, smart materials, and high-strain rate material characterization. He is a member of ASME, AIAA, NSBE, and International Ballistics Society (IBS).

Affiliated Faculty

Graduate Researchers

Jack Rahm

Ph.D. Student, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Belton, TX
Email: jackson.rahm@tamu.edu

Jack Rahm is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University since Fall 2025. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology – Mechatronics, with minors in Mathematics and Embedded Systems Integration. During undergraduate studies, his research focused on composite impact strength, development of experimental composite 3D printing methods, vibrational measurement systems, and hypersonic impact diagnostic techniques.

Now, as a graduate student with the Hypervelocity Impact Laboratory, Jack intends to focus on the development and application of electronic systems for hypervelocity impact research. He also intends to further pursue research into hypervelocity impacts in composite and aerospace applications.

 

Dean Biava

Masters Student, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

Fully Trained 2SLGG Gunner

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Belton, TX
Email: deanbiava@tamu.edu

Dean Biava is a Master’s of Science student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. He completed his Bachelor’s of Science at TAMU in May of 2024. Dean originally joined the HVIL team as an undergraduate researcher in January of 2022. During his time working with the lab and his internship with NASA Langley/Carbon-Carbon Advanced Technologies, he has developed an interest in carbon/carbon composites and hypervelocity impacts and plans to continue his research in these subjects.

 

 

Mikayla Wiest

Masters Student, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Friendswood, TX
Email: mwiest@tamu.edu

Mikayla Wiest is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, having completed her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering there in May 2024. While receiving her bachelor’s degree, Mikayla participated as undergraduate research assistant in the HVIL. She received the J. Mike Walker ’66 Impact Award in the Fall of 2024 in recognition of academic and innovative excellence. Mikayla plans to continue her research at the HVIL with a focus in diagnostic equipment development and its applications to micrometeoroid/orbital debris impacts.

Garrett Kawaguchi

Ph.D. Student, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

Fully Trained 2SLGG Gunner

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Los Angeles
Email: gkkawaguchi@tamu.edu

Garrett is a Ph.D. student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. He graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. During his undergraduate studies he engaged in research which investigated the use of shear-thickening-fluids intercalated in soft body armors to improve their energy absorption characteristics under high strain-rate conditions. Now a member of the HVIL, he intends to focus his research efforts on developing protective structures and components to mitigate the effects of various hypersonic weapons.

Sidney Davis

Ph.D. Candidate, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
Fully Trained 2SLGG Gunner

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Stephenville, TX
Email: siddavis424@tamu.edu

Sidney Davis is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, since Fall 2022. He holds a Dual B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from Tarleton State University, where his research focused on experimental ion beam analysis and various forms of mathematical, physics, and disease modeling.

Currently, Sidney’s research is centered on the hypervelocity impact response of aerospace composite materials, employing a combined experimental and computational approach. He has experience running finite element and hydrocodes to study the response of composites, metals, and other materials under hypervelocity impact conditions. Additionally, Sidney is working on advancing high-rate diagnostic techniques to measure critical parameters in high-rate impacts and hypersonics.

Nathaniel Bass

Undergraduate researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Email: nathandrakeviii@tamu.edu

Nathaniel is a senior mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University. After graduation, he plans to pursue additional graduate degrees in both business and engineering. Both his current research work with the two stage light-gas gun and his previous material science research with the U.S. Army Research Laboratories support his long term goals of providing tools for modern warfighters to allow them to execute tasks safely and effectively. Nathaniel is excited to continue his hypervelocity impact research and find new ways to help extend the test capabilities at HVIL.

Aniket Mote

Ph.D. Candidate, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
Fully Trained 2SLGG Gunner

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Satara, MH, India
Email: aniket.mote@tamu.edu

Aniket is a Ph.D. student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering studying composite materials for extreme environments. Aniket’s interest in composite materials was stimulated by his work on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Advanced Composite Floor-Beam (ACFB) program. After completing his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Shivaji University, India in June 2011, Aniket got involved in Manufacturing Engineering activities with the ACFB program. Well versed with the establishing manufacturing controls around carbon-fiber/epoxy prepreg composite manufacturing, addressing quality engineering aspects and affirming multiple standardized quality management systems for the aerospace industry, Aniket was motivated to further his formal education in composite materials at Mississippi State University (MSU). Here, he graduated with a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering under the guidance of Dr. Thomas E. Lacy Jr. in December 2018. At MSU, while supporting the research related to lightning strike effects on stitched composites, Aniket worked on his master’s thesis (co-advised by Dr. James C. Newman Jr.) addressing the ASTM Standard E647 threshold fatigue crack-growth test procedures. At Texas A&M, Aniket is interested in establishing state-of-the-art and pursuing research in thermoplastic stitched composite materials.

Max Murtaugh

Ph.D. Student, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: The Colony, TX
Email: murtaughm@tamu.edu

Max is a re-entering graduate student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering. He began his Ph.D. track in the Fall of 2021 with a focus on computational mechanics and intends to research hypervelocity impacts under Dr. Thomas Lacy Jr.

Graduate Alumni

Jacob A. Rogers

Ph.D. Student (Graduated Spring 2024), J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
Graduate Research Fellow, National Science Foundation (NSF)
Graduate Ambassador, TAMU MEEN Department
Fully Trained 2SLGG Gunner

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Lucedale, MS
Email: jacob_rogers@tamu.edu
CV/Resume: Jacob_Rogers.pdf

Jacob was a Ph.D. student in the Texas A&M University (TAMU) J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering with a background in solid mechanics, hypervelocity impact damage mechanics, and aeroballistic range testing. Upon admission to TAMU and under the guidance of co-advisors Dr. Thomas Lacy and Dr. Justin Wilkerson, Jacob received a graduate research assistant (GAR) position and was also awarded a Mechanical Engineering Graduate Merit Fellowship. During spring of 2020, Jacob was awarded the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical 2020 Graduate Summer Research Grant for his research on novel protective structure concepts. His research at TAMU on novel, tailored polymeric materials and structures to mitigate hypervelocity impact (HVI) threats enabled him to receive the National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowship. Jacob was instrumental in establishing the TAMU Hypervelocity Impact Laboratory (HVIL) in January 2020. At the HVIL, he currently studies HVI (2.5-8.0 km/s) phenomena and materials for extreme environments. Over the short time since HVIL’s launch, Jacob and the HVIL team have performed over 600 HVI experiments and made numerous advancements in diagnostics, experimental capabilities, and two-stage light gas gun (2SLGG) operational efficiency. His research interests also include computational solid mechanics, hypersonics, ultra-high strain-rate materials, and micrometeoroid/orbital debris (MMOD) impacts. He completed his undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering at Mississippi State University (MSU) in May of 2019. While at MSU, he was named a Stephen D. Lee Scholar and awarded Aerospace Engineering Student of the Year (2019), multiple first-place research symposium awards, and two undergraduate research fellowships. He researched HVIs and conducted full-scale 2SLGG experiments under the guidance of Dr. Lacy for much of his undergraduate career. He has supplemented his time spent on research with time dedicated to mentorship and leadership, mentoring multiple undergraduate design teams. He served as president of MEGSO (2022-2023) and is a member of ASME, AIAA, and International Ballistics Society (IBS), as well as the Tau Beta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Gamma Tau, and Sigma Xi academic honor societies. Jacob plans to use his experience at TAMU studying HVI phenomena to advance the scientific knowledge of HVI physics and to develop cutting-edge protective structures that will better protect against emerging space and military threats.

Dounia Boushab

Ph.D. Candidate, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Marrakesh, Morocco
Email: db91@tamu.edu

Dounia Boushab is a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. She received her engineering diploma in Aerospace Engineering at Université Internationale de Rabat (UIR) in 2015, and her master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at Mississippi State University in 2017. Dounia was awarded two academic achievement scholarships 2012-2015 and 2015-2017. Dounia’s research focuses on assessing the lightning damage resistance and tolerance of Pultruded Rod Stitched Efficient Unitized Structure (PRSEUS) panel. Fun fact about Dounia is that she has conducted over 100 full-scale lightning strike tests (currents ranging 50-200 kA) on PRSEUS and coupon scale carbon/epoxy composites, under a variety of test conditions for damage characterization. Besides research, Dounia likes to draw and read.

Hasnaa Ouidadi

M.S. Student, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Email: ho127@tamu.edu

Hasnaa was a M.S. student in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University working on the “Post-Crash Fire Forensic Analysis on Aerospace Composites.” She received a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the International University of Rabat (UIR) where she acquired a solid foundation and knowledge in various disciplines related to the aerospace domain. She pursued a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at Mississippi State University (MSU). As a master student at MSU, she worked on the “Validation of the Two-Parameter Fracture Criterion (TPFC)” an equation developed by Professor J.C. Newman (my Master advisor). The TPFC equation can be used to correlate and predict failure loads on cracked metallic fracture specimens. During this work, she performed two-dimensional finite-element simulations using the critical crack-tip opening angle (CTOA) to analyze the fracture data of middle crack tension specimens made of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy. She was awarded full scholarships from both UIR and MSU. She also worked on the development of a technical report about “RADAR absorbing materials and their implementation in aircraft structures.” She was a teaching assistant for a “Statics and dynamics” and “Solid mechanics in mechanical design.”

Paul Mead

Ph.D. Student (Graduated Spring 2024), J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
SMART Scholar, Department of Defense
Fully Trained 2SLGG Gunner

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Houston, TX
Email: paultmead@tamu.edu

Paul Mead was a Ph.D. student in J. Mike Walker ’66 Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Mississippi State University with a minor in Mathematics. As an undergraduate Paul researched on smartphone-based flight test engineering on common general aviation aircraft. Paul’s research interests include experimentation and computer modeling of hypervelocity impacts.  At TAMU, he researched the HVI response of high-performance concretes.   

Khari Harrison

Ph.D. Student (Graduated Spring 2024), J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
Fully Trained 2SLGG Gunner

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Email: khariharrison@tamu.edu

Khari was a Ph.D. student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. He graduated from Mississippi State University (MSU) with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering. While at MSU, he researched on the characterization of damage of pitch-fiber based lightning strike protection systems and also worked on improving payload integration techniques for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) by designing and fabricating composite components. His research interests include hypervelocity impacts and composite materials for extreme environments.

Carson Lawrence

M.S. Student (Graduated Fall 2023), J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Email: lawrence.carson@tamu.edu

Carson Lawrence was a M.S. student at Texas A&M University in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering at Mississippi State University in May of 2019, and he dreams of developing new technologies to push human spaceflight further into the solar system. Throughout his time at Mississippi State, he was a member, project manager, and eventually chief engineer of the university’s nationally renowned rocket design team, the Space Cowboys. The team competes in both national international competitions while pushing aerospace research forward and developing new generations of rocket engineers. At TAMU, Carson researched new and innovative finite element methods to assist in the design of structures for use in extreme environments, such as in outer space and at hypervelocities.

Joseph Stricklin

M.S. Student (Graduated Spring 2023), J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Ashland, Ohio
Email: joey.stricklin@tamu.edu

Joey Stricklin was a Master of Science student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. Before joining the Hypervelocity Impact Laboratory Lab, he helped design and construct the Flash X-Ray fixture utilized by the lab. The fixture was his senior design project and will be used by the lab for the intended purposes of the Flash X-Ray system as well as for optical diagnostic equipment. Joey graduated with his Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2020. He was a NASA intern for the Langley Research Center working on optimizing the carbon-carbon densification process at Carbon-Carbon Advanced Technologies, where those composites are made. During undergrad, he completed a co-op with AMBIT Polyurethane dealing with manufacturing plant design. Joey’s research interests include hypervelocity impacts and improving the capabilities of two-stage light gas gun used in the lab.

Undergraduate Alumni

James Leaverton

Undergraduate researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Pearland, TX
Email: jdleaverton@tamu.edu

James was a senior mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M and a Brockman Scholarship recipient. He finished his degree in May 2022 and subsequently began pursuing a M.S. Business degree. James joined the HVIL in December 2019 and helped establish the laboratory after working on the FAA Post-Crash Fire Forensic project. Since then, he has conducted a self-started research project (forthcoming publication) to empirically model hypervelocity sabot separation. James also interned at NASA Langley Research Center studying hypervelocity impacts to carbon-carbon composites.

Brynn Martin

Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Dallas, TX
Email: brynnmartin1@tamu.edu

Brynn was a mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in December of 2022. Before joining the HVIL in December of 2021, she had several experiences working in many team environments. She was president of a student organization on campus and her recent summer internship in building design provided great collaboration exposure to a team of different engineers. Brynn supported key hypervelocity impact research with the HVIL team.

Michael Rakoski

Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Katy, TX
Email: michaelrakoski@tamu.edu

Michael is a sophomore mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University. He plans on graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in May 2024. He has experience developing scripts for computational modeling, sensors, and user interfaces for various labs/design teams. His research interests include the aerospace industry, hypersonics, structures, and materials.

Sarah Beth Ragan

Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Dripping Springs, TX
Email: sarahbragan@tamu.edu

Sarah Beth is a sophomore mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M. She plans to graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science and afterwards pursue a M.S. Business degree at A&M. She is in a leadership position in an organization on campus and has previous experience researching properties and measurement methods of magnetic materials. Sarah Beth is looking forward to participating in research at the HVIL.

Vanessa Barton

Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX
Email: vanessa_barton@tamu.edu

Vanessa Barton is an honors mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University. She is on track to complete her bachelor’s degree in May 2024 and is considering pursuing a master’s degree. She is looking forward to gaining experience in academic research and investigating hypervelocity impact phenomena and material characterization alongside Dr. Lacy and the HVIL team.

Nick Kroger

Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Houston, TX
Email: nakroger1@tamu.edu

Nick is a Mechanical Engineering student planning on graduating with a Bachelors of Science in May of 2024. Nick joined the HVIL team in the Spring of 2022, and assisted in the research of hypervelocity impacts into next generation carbon composites and concretes.

Zachary Gant

Undergraduate Researcher (Graduated Spring 2021), J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Email: zgant@tamu.edu

Zachary was a Bachelor of Science student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering. He finished his undergraduate degree in May of 2021. His professional experience includes being an Aircraft Painting Technician for AAR Corp where he also shadowed aircraft mechanics. He researched hypervelocity impacts throughout the his undergrad career at Texas A&M University under Dr. Lacy’s guidance.

Faculty Collaborators