My work involves large deformation of polycrystalline materials. We run highly parallel finite simulations using an elastoviscoplastic constitutive model. Experimental data, often from X-ray or neutron diffraction tests, provides model verification.

A fundamental aspect of polycrystal plasticity is the ODF (orientation distribution function) which describes preferred orientation in a material. An orientation refers to the spatial alignment of specified crystallographic directions. In a polycrystal, the mechanical properties depend strongly on the orientations of the constituent grains. The study of preferred orientation, or texture, gives rise to interesting mathematics and is one of my primary interests.

My personal interests are baking bread and yoga.

I like to bake crusty, country breads and sourdoughs. In particular, I like to make baguettes, but I can never get the shape exactly right. They always come out looking like a caveman club, or they have a bump in the middle somewhere. They taste good though!

I do not practice yoga as much as I should, but the viniyoga school is excellent. Check out the American Viniyoga Institute.