Stephen Niezgoda is an Associate Professor in the departments of Materials Science & Engineering and in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at OSU. Prior to his engineering studies Dr. Niezgoda worked as an industrial mechanic and machinist, and as an F.A.A. certified aircraft mechanic (A&P ratings). He obtained his Ph.D. from Drexel University in 2010 where his research was focused on Microstructure Sensitive Design. For his thesis work, he received the Drexel Thesis Award “Most Promise to Enhance Drexel’s Reputation in the Mathematical and Physical Science.” Niezgoda then went on to postdoctoral research appointments at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the Materials Science in Radiation and Dynamic Extremes group and at the Lujan Neutron Scattering Center (LANSCE). Stephen R. Niezgoda is the leader of Micro- & Mesoscale Mechanics and Structures Laboratory at The Ohio State University.