top of page
CURRENT MEMBERS
The team!
 Christina Rost, Ph.D.Dr. Rost is an assistant professor of materials science at Virginia Tech and primary investigator of RostLab. She received her Ph.D. in Materials Science from North Carolina State University. Her current research interests include the fundamental structure-property relationships of complex oxides. When not in the lab or teaching, Dr. Rost enjoys DIY projects, gaming, and travelling. |  Gerald BejgerJerry is a graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering, originally from Clearwater, FL. He received a B.S. in Physics from James Madison University in 2023. His current research is on the local structure of high entropy oxides and on metastable phase nucleation in amorphous materials. When not engaging in science, he enjoys relaxing, watching sports, and gaming. |  John BarberJohn is a graduate student in Materials Science & Engineering from Barboursville, VA. He earned his B.S. in Physics with minors in Materials Science and Mathematics from James Madison University in 2023. John's project focuses on the synthesis of and integration of thin film oxides for pyroelectric applications. When he's not analyzing data or reading, he enjoys spending time in the gym, in the woods, or on the river. |
|---|---|---|
 Sarah MuhlenbergSarah is a graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering from Chantilly, VA. She received her B.S. in Physics from George Mason University in December 2019 and previously worked as a Systems Engineer for a DoD contractor. Her interests are in nanofabrication and quantum dots. Her current research is on spinel structure and analysis. Outside the lab, you can find her playing games, going to ren faires, or lounging at home with her cat. |  Bethany CrittendenBethany is a first-year undergraduate student in Materials Science and Engineering from Virginia Beach, VA. Her project involves the compositional effects on phase and microstructure in high entropy oxides. Outside of the lab, she enjoys cooking and fiber arts |  William DearyWilliam is an undergraduate student in Materials Science and Engineering. Before finding his home in Blacksburg, William was raised in Bristow Virginia where he obtained a Associate of Engineering Degree from Northern Virginia Community College. Currently he's working on high entropy oxide research and exploring relationships between particle size and phase stability. When not researching ceramics, he enjoys climbing them at the New River Gorge but most days you can find him at the climbing gym. |
PAST MEMBERS & ALUMNI
 Mike GerhartB.S. Physics, class of 2024, James Madison University. |  Tyler ValentineB.S. Physics, class of 2022, James Madison University. M.S. in Data Science at the University of Virginia. |  Daniel RossiB.S. Physics, class of 2022, James Madison University. |
|---|---|---|
 Kristen JohnsonB.S. Applied Physics, class of 2022, James Madison University. Teaching at Chesapeake Public Schools. |  Gabriela NiculescuHigh School Intern, Class of 2021, Shenandoah Valley Governor's School. Currently attending the University of Virginia. |  Daniel SchmucklerB.S. Physics, Class of 2021, James Madison University. M.Eng. in Materials Science at Columbia University. |
 Zachery KennedyB.S. Mathematics, Class of 2020, James Madison University. |  Andrew GilesB.S. Chemistry, James Madison University. |
bottom of page