Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Alabama, 2021
  • M.S.E., Mechanical Engineering, University of Alabama, 2019
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Alabama, 2017
Professional Honors
  • Alabama Space Grant Consortium Graduate Fellowship, 2020, 2019, 2018
  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International Graduate Scholarship Award, 2018
  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Committee E08 Student Presentation Award, 2018
  • Pi Tau Sigma Engineering Honor Society, 2016
Professional Affiliations
  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • Society of Woman Engineers (SWE)

Dr. Anderson has an interdisciplinary background in mechanical and materials engineering, focusing on the fatigue and fracture behavior of materials. Through her expertise of solid mechanics, analytical modeling, and experimental characterization, Dr. Anderson serves clients from multiple industries, including manufacturing, energy, aerospace, rail, and consumer products. At Exponent, she has also assisted clients with the analysis of machine safety investigations.

Prior to joining exponent, Dr. Anderson extensively studied the fatigue behavior of additively manufactured metals. Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is a rapidly emerging advanced manufacturing technology that is changing the landscape of metal fabrication. In this process, parts are fabricated layer by layer, often following 3D model data, allowing for more intricate designs without the need for subsequent subtractive machining techniques. Dr. Anderson has experience in additive manufacturing process development, optimization, and standardization.

Dr. Anderson's doctoral research focused on predicting the fatigue response of both additively manufactured and friction stir welded metals to increase the safety and reliability of the cryogenic fuel tanks on NASA's current generation launch vehicle. More specifically, her Ph.D. work developed a microstructure-sensitive fatigue model to enable the certification of a novel additive manufacturing technology at NASA. Additionally, during her studies she helped increase the efficiency and operational lifetime of several coal fueled power plants through material and component characterization, modeling, and simulation of land-based turbines.

Dr. Anderson has extensive experience in advanced manufacturing techniques; mechanical testing via servohydraulic load frames including cryogenic and thermomechanical fatigue; finite element modeling (FEA) with Abaqus; metallography; data acquisition; and the use of various codes, standards, and specifications including ASTM, ANSI, and ASME. She is also a member of ASTM Committee E08 on Fatigue and Fracture.