Dr. Yavas joined Rice University as an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2024. He holds a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from Iowa State University, along with M.Sc. and B.S. degrees in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Middle East Technical University. Prior to joining Rice University, he held a teaching faculty position at the University of Central Florida. With over 10 years of experience in research and teaching in mechanical and aerospace engineering, Dr. Yavas specializes in experimental and computational solid and fracture mechanics. His focus areas include deformation and failure mechanisms in advanced composite and additively manufactured materials, development of architected and tunable materials, mechanics of thin films and multilayered materials, and interfacial fracture and ice adhesion.