Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2013
  • M.S., Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2010
  • B.S., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2009
Licenses & Certifications
  • Professional Engineer Mechanical, California, #38369
  • Professional Engineer, Illinois, #062.072369
  • Professional Engineer, Indiana, #PE12300173
  • Professional Engineer, Michigan, #6201070364
  • Professional Engineer, New York, #107861
  • Professional Engineer, Wisconsin, #49950-6
Professional Honors
  • Edgar B. Speer Scholarship, 2010
  • Fontana-Leslie Scholarship, 2008
  • Alpha Sigma Mu, Materials Science & Engineering Honors Society
Professional Affiliations
  • American Society of Metals — ASM
  • Failure Analysis Society — FAS
  • The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society — TMS
  • Technical Committees
  • American Society for Testing and Materials — ASTM, Voting Member, Committee E04 on Metallography
  • SAE International, Voting Member, Aerospace Materials Specification Committee G on Titanium and Refractory Metals

Dr. Tucker specializes in materials science and metallurgical engineering with specific expertise in turbomachinery for aviation/aerospace (e.g., fixed wing, rotor wing, engine/powerplant, aircraft groundings, accident investigations, and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul)) and power generation (e.g., turbine/stator blade cracking and fleet assessments for extent of condition and crack detection). 

Dr. Tucker's experience is with a variety of alloys (specifically nickel-based superalloys and titanium as well as aluminum, copper, steel, and other superalloys to name a few).

He applies his expertise to investigations of all types (e.g., involving aerospace, automotive, fall protection, locomotive, mining, power generation, and transmission pipelines). Dr. Tucker also has experience in engineered component compliance with relevant specifications, codes, standards, regulations, and fitness for service.

Dr. Tucker has spent over a decade researching a variety of materials science, metallurgy, and mechanical areas. Previously, he was a research scientist at Air Force Research Laboratories, focusing on jet engine rotating parts and aerospace structural materials as it relates to aircraft failure mechanisms. He has specific expertise in fatigue, metallurgical processing (e.g., casting, forging, rolling, heat treating), and material selection for structural applications.

Dr. Tucker is a voting member on ASTM Metallography and SAE Aerospace Materials committees.