Utrgv, United States
Author Profiles
Scopus
🎓 Academic Qualifications
Dr. Edison Bonifaz holds a rich and diverse academic background in materials science and engineering mechanics. He earned his Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from the Universidad de Navarra, Spain (08/1998 – 12/2000), graduating Sobresaliente Cum Laude. His doctoral research was centered on the finite element modeling of polycrystalline dual-phase microstructures. In 1996, he completed a Training Diploma in Materials Science from the Universidad General San Martin, Argentina, with a GPA of 3.7/4, working on the finite element analysis of heat flow in single pass arc welds. He also holds a Master of Science in Metallurgy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, USA (1990–1992) with a GPA of 3.6/4, where his thesis focused on transient nonlinear heat transfer in welded structures. Additionally, Dr. Bonifaz has pursued technical and international training, including a Metal Forming Course at Universidad Patricio Lumumba, Moscow (1988), and a Construction Technology Training Course at the Construction Technology Institute of Korea, Seoul (1986). His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanics from the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Ecuador (1979–1986), where he worked on the finite element modeling of trusses and frames.
👨🏫 Academic Appointments
Over the span of his distinguished academic career, Dr. Bonifaz has held numerous teaching and research positions at esteemed institutions. From January 2004 to January 2024, he served as a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador, where he played a pivotal role in research, curriculum development, and mentoring students. His international research experience includes being a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of South Carolina, USA (2009–2010), and a Research Associate at the University of Manitoba, Canada (2006). As a Fulbright Visiting Professor in 2003, he contributed to collaborative research at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Earlier in his career, from 1986 to 2003, he served as an Associate Professor at the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Ecuador, building a strong foundation for his academic legacy.
🏅 Honors and Awards
Dr. Bonifaz’s scholarly excellence has been widely recognized through a range of prestigious international fellowships and awards. He was named a Korean Government Scholar at the Korean Institute of Technology (1986) and a United Nations Scholar at Universidad Patricio Lumumba, Moscow (1988). He received the Fulbright-Laspau Scholarship for his M.S. studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago (1990–1992) and was awarded an Organization of American States Scholarship for his diploma training in Argentina (1996). He later earned the AECI-MUTIS Scholarship for his Ph.D. in Spain (1998–2000). His contributions as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at UIC (2003), and as a Visiting Research Fellow at institutions like The Open University (UK, 2012), Trinity College Dublin (Ireland, 2013), Lehigh University (USA, 2016), and CEIT in San Sebastian, Spain (2018 and 2021), underscore his global academic influence. In 2022, he was selected as a JSPS Fellow at the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan.
🔬 Research Interests and Projects
Dr. Bonifaz’s research expertise lies in materials modeling, finite element simulations, and polycrystalline mechanics, particularly applied to welding processes and additive manufacturing technologies. He is actively leading or contributing to research proposals under review by premier institutions such as the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and the National Science Foundation (NSF). These projects focus on multi-scale modeling in laser wire-feed and WAAM additive manufacturing, designing dense multi-material structures with DED, and developing asymptotic crack tip and failure prediction models in complex microstructures. Additional work includes research on friction stir welding and polycrystalline plasticity, aiming to understand and improve the reliability of advanced materials used in high-performance engineering applications.
🌍 International Collaborations
Throughout his career, Dr. Bonifaz has forged academic and research partnerships with universities and research centers across Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. His global engagements have provided opportunities to share his insights in materials engineering, mentor young scientists, and participate in cutting-edge experimental and computational research. These collaborations have greatly enriched his work and contributed to the advancement of global engineering knowledge.
🤝 Professional Memberships
Dr. Bonifaz is a dedicated member of various professional engineering societies and academic networks. He is affiliated with the Colegio de Ingenieros Mecánicos Región Centro (CIMERC) and is actively engaged with the Fulbright Program, AECI, MUTIS, and AMAROUT Program. These memberships reflect his enduring commitment to professional development, international cooperation, and the dissemination of knowledge within the fields of mechanics, materials science, and engineering education.
Notable Publications📝
📝The Cooling Rate and Residual Stresses in an AISI 310 Laser Weld: A Meso-Scale Approach