Graduate Students

The Institute for Shock Physics provides unique learning and research opportunities to graduate students in multidisciplinary research activities, combining expertise from different academic disciplines (physics, chemistry, materials science, geo/planetary science and mechanical engineering).

Through the Shock Wave Academic Partnership (SWAP), graduate students from four institutions (Washington State University, Caltech, Princeton University, and University of Texas El Paso), conduct their research in the Institute for Shock Physics.

Graduate Student Sohan Ahmed

Sohan Ahmed

Education:

  • M.S., Chemistry (2019), Wright State University
  • Anticipated Degree: Ph.D, Material Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Washington State University

Contact Information:

sohan.ahmed@wsu.edu

Graduate Student Keith Borbridge

Keith Borbridge

Education:

  • B.S., Engineering Physics (2024), Colorado School of Mines
  • Anticipated Degree: Ph.D., Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University

Contact Information:

keith.borbridge@wsu.edu

Graduate Student Nathan Brown

Nathan Brown

Education:

  • B.S., Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (2022), Colorado School of Mines
  • Anticipated Degree: Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University

Contact Information:

nathan.m.brown@wsu.edu

Graduate Student Audrey Brutman

Audrey Brutman

Education:

  • B.S., Physics (2024), B.S., Mechanical Engineering (2024), Washington State University
  • Anticipated Degree: Ph.D., Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University
  • Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University

Contact Information:

audrey.brutman@wsu.edu

Graduate Student Maria D'Orazio

Maria D’Orazio

Education:

  • B.S. (2023) and M.S. (2025) Mechanical Engineering, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
  • Anticipated Degree: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University

Contact Information:

maria.dorazio@wsu.edu

Graduate Student Rose Hurlow

Rose Hurlow

Education:

  • B.S., Geology (2019), University of Utah
  • M.S., Mineral Physics (2022), University of New Mexico
  • Anticipated Degree: Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University

Contact Information:

roselyn.hurlow@wsu.edu

Graduate Student Akib Abdullah Khan

Akib Abdullah Khan

Education:

  • B.Sc.Eng (Mech) (2022), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
  • M.S. Mechanical Engineering (2025), Washington State University – Vancouver
  • Anticipated Degree: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University

Contact Information:

akibabdullah.khan@wsu.edu

Graduate Student Barry Lawlor

Barry Lawlor

Education:

  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, UC San Diego
  • Anticipated Degree:  Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Engineering and Applied Science, Caltech
Graduate Student Julianna Lewis

Julianna Lewis

Education:

  • B.S. Physics (2024) Washington State University
  • Anticipated Degree: Ph.D., Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University

Contact Information:

julianna.lewis@wsu.edu

Graduate Student Napoleon Pempena VII

Napoleon Pempena VII

Education:

  • B.S., Geology (2014), UCLA
  • M.S., Geology (2017), UCLA
  • Anticipated Degree: Ph.D., Geophysics, Department of Geosciences, Princeton University
Graduate Student Aditya Shedge

Aditya Shedge

Education:

  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering (2019), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • Anticipated Degree: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Engineering and Applied Science, Caltech