Dr. John Nychka

Biography

John Nychka received formal training in Metallurgical Engineering (B.Sc. 1997, University of Alberta, Co-op Distinction), materials science & engineering (M.Eng. 1999, McMaster University), and materials (Ph.D. 2004, University of California Santa Barbara). As a co-op student, he worked in a forge manufacturing facility in Edmonton and an open pit copper operation in British Columbia, which sparked his interest in research. His work in bioceramics earned him the Dean's Research Award in 1997 and the Student Poster Award at the Canadian Ceramics Society annual meeting in 1999. His doctoral research focused on high temperature alloys and their application in gas turbine engines. Nychka has also collaborated with post-doctoral fellows in developing testing procedures for high temperature alloys. He has held faculty positions at the University of California Santa Barbara and the University of Kentucky before returning to Alberta in 2007. His research interests include mechanical behavior of ceramics and metallic alloys, and he has pioneered new areas in materials for electronic books and welding monitoring. Nychka is dedicated to teaching and mentoring, focusing on integrating active learning and formative assessments in his courses.

Research Interests