Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, 2025
  • M.S., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, 2024
  • B.S., Chemical Engineering, California State Poly University, Pomona, 2021
Professional Honors
  • University of Virginia, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Distinguished Fellowship, 2021
  • California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, School of Engineering Valedictorian, 2021
  • AMPP Academic Foundation Scholarship, 2020
  • AMPP Oliver Moghissi Memorial, 2020
  • ASM International Los Angeles Chapter Scholarship, 2020
Professional Affiliations
  • Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
  • The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS)
  • The Electrochemical Society (ECS)

Dr. Shehi specializes in atmospheric and localized corrosion of metallic components and the prediction of their life expectancy in highly aggressive aqueous environments. He has experience conducting atmospheric and pitting corrosion tests, ASTM-standard linear polarization resistance (LPR), cyclic potentiodynamic polarization (CPP), and design of experimental techniques tailored to complex corrosion scenarios. Dr. Shehi is proficient in metallographic preparation and materials characterization using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). His skills also encompass modeling of corrosion processes and mechanisms through thermodynamic and finite element analysis (FEA) techniques. His research experience also includes evaluating the corrosion behavior of both traditionally and additively manufactured (AM) biomaterials such as Ti-based alloys, Co-Cr-Mo, and SS316, and investigating how build orientation impacts corrosion resistance of AM SS304 in marine environments.

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Shehi earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the Center for Electrochemical Science and Engineering (CESE) at the University of Virginia. His doctoral work focused on integrating experimental and modeling techniques to study the effects of environmental variables-such as chemical composition, temperature, relative humidity, and water layer thickness-on pitting corrosion to predict the maximum pit size in engineering structural materials. During his time there, he developed novel methods that more accurately capture pit propagation kinetics in aggressive environments, including the influence of corrosion inhibitors. He has also been involved in pioneering projects that seek to implement cutting edge in-situ transmission electron microscope (TEM) electrochemical techniques.