Current Members

Principal Investigator

Tarek I. Zohdi

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering
6117 Etcheverry Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720
Email: zohdi@berkeley.edu
Office:(510) 642-9172

Research Themes

Modeling and Simulation of:

Advanced manufacturing
3D printing systems
multiphase/composite material behavior
fire propagation and control with the Fire Research Group
UAVs and swarms
Biological systems
Ballistic fabric shielding
Advanced manufacturing of food with the Food Manufacturing Group

Methods of Analysis

Discrete Element Methods
Finite Element Methods
Finite Difference Methods
Computational Optics
Machine-Learning Algorithms
Agent-Based Methods

Visiting Scholars

MS/PhD Students

Brian Howell

Materials/Process Optimization for Advanced Manufacturing Methods

After receiving his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Brigham Young University, Brian worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Read More

as a research engineer developing radiative-curing materials for advanced manufacturing techniques. As a PhD student in the Mechanical Engineering department, Brian is interested in process & materials optimization and numerical simulation of additive manufacturing processes. In his spare time, Brian is an avid endurance athlete.

About

Emre Mengi

Manufacturing Process Optimization

Emre is a Mechanical Engineering PhD student at UC Berkeley with B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Science & Engineering from UC Davis. Read More

Emre's previous research experience includes Direct Energy Deposition process optimization and powder flow visualization for additive manufacturing processes. His research interests include manufacturing process optimization and computational modeling of manufacturing systems. In his free time, Emre enjoys learning new languages, playing flight simulators, and alpine skiing.

About

Omar Betancourt

Agent-Based Modeling and Optimization

Omar is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering co-advised by Prof. Kosa Goucher-Lambert. Read More

His research interests include the use of agent-based modeling/simulation and optimization. He graduated from Boise State University with a B.S. in Mechanical engineering. In addition, Omar enjoys discovering new foods, indoor gardening and forcing his cat to spend time with him.

Maya Horii

Modeling of Materials and Manufacturing Processes

Maya is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering co-advised by Professor Tarek Zohdi and Professor Grace Gu. Read More

Maya’s research interests are in modeling and optimization of materials and manufacturing processes. Outside of the lab, Maya enjoys doing ballet and going for walks.

Carla Becker

Simulation and Optimization of Manufacturing Processes

Carla is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering with an M.Eng. in Materials Science and Engineering from UC Berkeley, and a B.S. in Physics and a B.S. in Chemistry from Harvey Mudd College. Read More

Before coming to UC Berkeley, she worked as a product engineer at Sakuu Corp., a startup developing a platform to 3D print solid-state batteries. While there, she developed new materials processing techniques, handled materials characterization, brought new equipment online, and led a program to develop a manufacturing execution software with machine learning capability. Outside of work, Carla enjoys running, yoga, dancing, and book clubs.

Abdullah Alrashdan

Abdullah holds a B.S and M.S in Mechanical Engineering from LMU. While pursing his M.S degree, his research focused on Design for Additive Manufacturing Read More

and 3D printing of biocompatible materials for medical applications. Prior to joining UC Berkeley, he worked as an Additive Manufacturing Engineer for a couple companies in Southern California.

Aidan Gould

Aidan is a MS/PhD student advised by Prof. Zohdi. He is interested in multiphysics simulation for aerospace applications. Read More

Before entering the PhD program at UC Berkeley, Aidan earned a BS in mechanical engineering from Northeast University. He has had internships at Pratt and Whitney (induction heating modeling for manufacturing), Mesodyne (thermophotovoltaic start-up), and ATA Engineering (thermal modeling of spacecraft battery systems). On breaks, he enjoys all things outdoors especially rock climbing and snowboarding.

Tommy Hosmer

Tommy Hosmer is a PhD student in mechanical engineering advised by Prof. Tarek Zohdi (ME). Read More

Tommy received his B.S. in Environmental Engineering Science from UC Berkeley in 2023. His research interests are in modeling renewable energy systems. Outside of the lab, Tommy enjoys surfing and mixed-martial arts.

Mostafa Sedky

Mostafa is a MS/PhD student in Mechanical Engineering. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in design and a minor in Physics from the American University in Cairo (AUC). Read More

Before joining UC Berkeley, he worked as a Research Assistant at AUC where he worked on the design, fabrication, and control of 3D printed micropumps, a mechanical ventilator, and a crawling quadruped. He has also had internships at Oxford Instruments Plasma Technologies and BMW. In his free time, Mostafa enjoys scuba diving, building lego sets, and tinkering with 3D printers.