Meet Dr. Talachian!
Since February 2026, Dr. Michael Talachian has been a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the University of Arizona’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering. His broad research interests lie in the field of additive manufacturing, where he specializes in metallurgy and characterization of alloys and metals primarily for defense and aerospace applications. Before arriving in Tucson, Dr. Michael Talachian received his Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Florida Atlantic University. As a mechanical engineer, he was drawn to the field of additive manufacturing because it has tangible and real-life applications, which led him to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at LSU.
As a PhD student, he focused on additive friction stir deposition (AFSD) at high deposition rates. During his Ph.D., he had close interactions with defense companies such as Northrope Grumman and Lockheed Martin. Now, as a postdoc, he is working on the MACH-X project sponsored by the U.S. Army that is focused on superalloys fabricated by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF). This research will contribute to making parts for hypersonic applications that fly at least five times the speed of sound, faster and more affordable, by designing an alloy manufacturing process using 3D printing techniques and machine learning to make critical parts.
Dr. Talachian considers one of his greatest research accomplishments so far to be working with really unique equipment and microscopy that require many skills and deep knowledge to operate successfully and produce high-quality results. During graduate school, he was awarded a fellowship by the Dean of the graduate program for novelty in research. Currently, he is actively working on research contracts with many organizations, such as NASA, where he is tasked with characterizing alloys and metals from them using the resources that he has at the University of Arizona.
Dr. Talachian credits the mentorship he has received over the years for shaping him to be successful. Dr. Shengmin Guo, his PhD mentor, who he regards as “one of the greatest scientists in the field of additive manufacturing”, and Dr. Dimitris Nicotopoulos, the Department Chair of Mechanical Engineering at LSU, taught him different perspectives of looking at a problem, improved his critical thinking skills, and influenced him to be meticulous and precise with his work. Dr. Talachian also credits the impactful conversation with Dr. Bill Hammeter, the chief editor of the Materials Resources Society and Journal, for giving him professional advice that he still lives by today. Last but not least, Dr. Talachian credits Dr. Sammy Tin, his current postdoctoral supervisor, and his very strong, established record of publications as a primary reason for why he chose the University of Arizona. He appreciates the resources Dr. Tin has given him to make progress in his project and the opportunity to “work with a very professional team from the undergrads to the faculty and learn every day from them.” Additionally, he was selected by Dr. Tin and Dr. Haun, who is the Special Advisor to the Senior Vice President for Research & Partnerships, to lead a fusion energy initiative project. This project is focused on developing new materials with potential applications in the first wall of nuclear reactors.
After his postdoc tenure, Dr. Talachian aims to work as a staff scientist in the national labs. In the meantime, outside of the lab, he loves indulging himself in the beautiful nature and landscape of Tucson through hiking and camping.