3D in 3 Minutes

Ria Mitchell is an Applications Development Engineer with ZEISS Microscopy in the UK. Following a PhD in Geoscience, Ria has 15+ years of microscopy experience in both academia and industry across diverse subjects and disciplines from geological, to biological, to human-made materials. With a specialty in 3D imaging (X-ray computed tomography and X-ray Microscopy) and correlative imaging, Ria uses a variety of microscopes to image, analyse, and characterize a wide range of materials, ranging from pharmaceuticals, to concrete, to batteries, developing and applying new workflows at the multi-scale and in multiple dimensions to solve challenging research questions.

Yara Suleiman is a PhD Graduate Assistant and REFINE Lab Manager at the University of Connecticut, where she leads and supports research focused on failure analysis, quality assurance, and advanced materials characterization. Her work spans both academic and industrial collaborations, with a strong emphasis on delivering actionable insights for complex materials and systems. Her technical expertise centers on 3D X-ray tomography and FIB-SEM, which she uses to investigate structure, performance, and failure mechanisms across a range of applications. Yara works closely with partners from national laboratories, government, academia, and industry to define project scope and data requirements, ensuring each study is aligned with real-world objectives.

Nick May is a PhD candidate at the University of Connecticut, working within the REFINE Lab where he supports a wide range of projects in advanced materials characterization and non-destructive analysis. His work focuses on leveraging techniques such as X-ray tomography and electron microscopy to investigate complex materials systems and uncover critical structural insights. Nick’s background spans reverse engineering, inspection, and additive manufacturing, with early research exploring applications in acoustics and materials reconstruction. He collaborates with academic and industry partners to support research initiatives that require precise imaging and analysis, contributing to both experimental design and data interpretation.

Nancy Muyanja is an application specialist in materials characterization, with expertise spanning X-ray computed tomography, Raman spectroscopy, cathodoluminescence, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. She provides expert-level pre-imaging consultations, helping researchers define project scope, refine experimental design, and navigate the technical considerations and limitations of their proposed work. In addition to her consultative role, Nancy delivers advanced user training in both X-ray and electron microscopy. She is highly experienced in the operation and routine maintenance of laboratory-based X-ray microscopes and scanning electron microscopes, ensuring reliable performance and high-quality imaging outcomes for a wide range of research applications.

Professor Gianluca Tozzi is a Professor of Industrial Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich. He joined the University in 2022 to lead on multi-disciplinary research and knowledge exchange in Bio-Inspired Engineering with Imaging-based AI and quantum data (Bio-AImagiQ) for biological tissues and biomaterials.

Previously, he was a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the School of Engineering, London South Bank University and a Reader in Bioengineering at the School of Mechanical and Design Engineering, University of Portsmouth. Professor Tozzi received a PhD in Bioengineering in 2012 from the University of Portsmouth and a 5-year MSc in Mechanical Engineering in 2008 from the University of Bologna.

Paul Choi conducts research in energy materials in Prof. Litster’s lab at CMU. They use nanoscale X-ray imaging, with pioneering in operando setups, to address some of the tough microstructural challenges in electrochemical devices.  

Keith Duncan is  research scientist at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and director of X-ray imaging in the Advanced Bioimaging Laboratory (ABL). His research focuses on understanding how plant root systems grow, adapt, and interact within complex soil environments. By applying advanced 3D imaging techniques, including X-ray computed tomography, his work brings otherwise invisible below-ground structures into view—capturing root architecture in its natural context without disruption.  

Keith's approach bridges plant biology, soil science, and imaging technology to explore how roots respond to environmental conditions, microbial communities, and physical constraints. Through this lens, Duncan’s work provides critical insight into how root systems function as dynamic, adaptive networks—informing research in agriculture, sustainability, and plant resilience.

Dr. Niverty is a materials engineering professional currently serving as a Materials Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. He earned a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the Center for 4D Materials Science (4DMS) at Arizona State University. His research focuses on environmentally assisted damage in light metal structural alloys and alloy couples, with an emphasis on understanding degradation mechanisms under real-world conditions.