Swaroop Kumar Behera is a PhD dissertator in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Under the mentorship of Dr. Pradeep Rohatgi, his research focuses on high-temperature aluminum alloys, metal matrix composites, and sustainable manufacturing, with current work examining the wetting and solidification behavior of Al-Ce alloys. Since 2022, he has served as the UWM Foundry Lab Manager. Swaroop has mentored numerous senior design projects and organized outreach activities for both the AFS Student Chapter and the Materials Advantage Student Chapter at UWM. He is actively involved in student recruitment and public engagement, and his efforts have been recognized by the Foundry Educational Foundation with a three-year fellowship. He also serves on multiple committees within The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS). Outside the lab, Swaroop is an avid reader, Minecraft veteran, fitness enthusiast, and enjoys camping in his free time.