Dr. Elizabeth Sooby
Associate Professor
Dr. Sooby is part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy faculty with a joint appointment in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Her research expertise is in high temperature materials synthesis and thermal analysis for nuclear energy applications, specifically advanced fuel fabrication and characterization. Prior to UTSA, Dr. Sooby was a Staff Scientist II at Los Alamos National Laboratory where she also completed a Seaborg Postdoctoral Fellowship following graduation with a PhD in Physics from Texas A&M University in December 2014.
Elizabeth Sooby LinkedIn | Elizabeth Sooby Twitter
Steven Jay Cavazos
Doctoral Student
My current academic goals are to continue studying graduate level physics while pursuing research in computational thermodynamics and fission product transport mechanisms in irradiated nuclear fuels. My research interest is in investigating the thermochemistry of fission products within irradiated Tristructural Isotropic (TRISO) nuclear fuel particles and examining fission product behavior through experimental and computational techniques. My laboratory experience includes arc-melting, glovebox applications, radiological safety, and sample analysis using a Scanning Electron Microscope and X-Ray Diffractometer. Other scientific interests include finite element analysis, nuclear thermal propulsion, and small modular reactor designs.
Steven Jay Cavazos LinkedIn
Adrian Gonzales
Doctoral Student
I am a married Physics PhD student mainly researching fabrication techniques for nuclear fuels. Other interests are within nuclear security; detection and forensics. A short term goal of mine is to advance to candidacy within the PhD program. A long term goal is to power the world or graduate, whichever comes first.
Katherine Montoya
Doctoral Student
I am a second-year physics PhD student. My current graduate research focuses on characterizing oxidized nuclear fuel for the next generation of advance gas reactors and testing it in off normal conditions. My project is determining the failure mechanism of tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) particles and its surrounding matrix material at high temperatures with low partial pressures of steam and oxygen. I’m skilled in various characterization techniques such as SEM, TEM, and Raman spectroscopy.
Katherine Montoya Linkedin | Katherine Montoya ORCiD
Geronimo Robles
Doctoral Student
I am a senior member of the Extreme Environment Materials Laboratory led by Dr. Sooby. In collaboration with the Fuels Research Laboratory in MST-8 at Los Alamos National Laboratory, my research concentration involves understanding the physical and thermodynamic response of advanced actinide bearing fuel candidates in off-normal nuclear power reactor conditions. I specialize in fabrication of the fuel, testing in oxidizing high temperature atmospheres, and multiple characterization techniques within controlled atmosphere gloveboxes.
Geronimo Robles LinkedIn | Geronimo Robles ORCiD | Geronimo Robles ResearchGate
Scott Schier
Master's Student
Hi! My name is Scott Schier and I am currently working on my master’s in mechanical engineering with a concentration in materials. I have a strong research background with expertise in mechanical design and data analytics. I currently work as a graduate research assistant studying additively manufactured metal (316L SS, Inconel 718) and its potential to be used in nuclear energy technologies. Outside of work and school, you can find me playing a round of golf or working out at my local gym. My goal after graduating is to work in the manufacturing industry designing or implementing new techniques that are safe and transcending.
Scott Schier LinkedIn
Gisele George
Postbachelor Student
Thomas Kirtly
Postbachelor Student
My research interests are in the characterization of intermetallic uranium compounds. Currently, my focus is on U6M compounds: U 6Fe, U 6Co, U 6Ti, and U 6Ni. The high uranium density of these compounds may have desirable properties for future applications.
Thomas Kirtly LinkedIn
Jesus Facundo
Undergraduate Student
Hi! My name is Jesus Facundo and I am an undergraduate physics major here at UTSA. I am originally from Houston and I moved to San Antonio in 2019 for my undergraduate studies. As my interests were initially in the astronomy field, I participated in both the NASA L’SPACE Mission Concept Academy and the NASA Proposal Writing and Evaluation Experience. Gradually, my interest shifted towards nuclear science and, as part of the Physics Research Laboratory class, I joined the EEML with Dr. Sooby. In the EEML, I worked with my mentor, Geronimo Robles, to investigate the microstructure of hypo and hyper-stoichiometric U 3Si 2 and UB 2 to determine their viability as a potential fuel composite replacement to traditional UO 2 reactor fuels. I started the CONNECT program in Summer 2022 where I will train and develop a background in the nuclear security technologies field. In the near future, I plan to pursue a PhD in physics with the long-term objective of improving nuclear energy technology to aid in its use as a climate change mitigation measure.
Jesus Facundo LinkedIn
Ethan Schneider
Undergraduate Student
Jordan Stone
Undergraduate Student
I am an undergraduate at UTSA pursuing a bachelor's degree in Physics and Mathematics. Recently, I have been assisting graduate student Katherine Montoya with a project between UTSA's material physics lab and UTSA's artificial intelligence (VAIL) labs. This project sets out to create a machine learning algorithm that will aid in the analysis of micrographs of oxidized materials by allowing researchers to teach it how to identify degradation in TRISO materials. Although is project has yet to conclude, I am looking forward to developing my skills as I continue to work in research at UTSA.
Jordan Stone LinkedIn
