Profile
Steven Naleway is a Ph.D. candidate in the Materials Science and Engineering Program at the University of California, San Diego. His research focuses on the interconnected fields of biological materials science and bioinspired design. These fields employ engineering, chemistry and physics to first understand how natural organisms thrive in their environment, then employ those lessons learned from nature to modern materials and fabrication techniques to solve present scientific problems. His dissertation work focuses specifically on an advanced fabrication technique called freeze casting that, mimicking the method in which natural materials utilize a template of biopolymer to guide the growth of biomineral, utilizes the growth of ice crystals to form porous ceramic scaffolds. This research looks to create new structural composite materials for advanced, biocompatible bone implants and load-bearing applications. Steven’s research has resulted in a number of academic and professional awards including the UCSD Gareth Thomas Award, the ARCS Scholarship, the Graduate Student Association Peer Mentorship Award and inclusion as a Bernard and Sophia Gordon Engineering Leadership Center Scholar. In addition, Steven regularly provides lab tours and demonstrations to incoming freshman, high school and middle school students, including many from underrepresented demographics and low-income areas around San Diego.
