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.
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:
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:
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
Contact:
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:
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:
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:
Julianna Lewis
Education:
- B.S. Physics (2024) Washington State University
- Anticipated Degree: Ph.D. Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University
Contact:
Md Shakil Mahmood
Education:
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering (2021), Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), Dhaka, Bangladesh
- M.S. Mechanical Engineering (2026), Washington State University
- Anticipated Degree: PhD. Mechanical Engineering, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University
Contact:
Napoleon Pempena VII
Education:
- B.S. Geology (2014), UCLA
- M.S. Geology (2017), UCLA
- Anticipated Degree: Ph.D. Geophysics, Department of Geosciences, Princeton University
Aditya Shedge
Education:
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering (2019), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Anticipated Degree: Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Engineering and Applied Science, Caltech