Tabbetha Dobbins is Assistant Professor of Physics in a Louisiana State Board of Regents supported Joint Faculty Position (JFAP) between Louisiana Tech University, Institute for Micromanufacturing (IfM) (Ruston, LA) and Grambling State University (GSU), Dept. of Physics (Grambling, LA) (since July 2003).  In her present position, she performs research at the IfM on topics related to synthesis, processing, and characterization of complex metal hydride powders and nanocomposite electrode construction for fuel cell applications.  Her research program utilizes synchrotron x-ray characterization of materials to elucidate failure and/or transformation mechanisms.  As a National Research Council Post-doctoral fellow (until July 2003), her research focus was small-angle x-ray scattering and x-ray tomographic imaging of ceramic materials.  She worked on projects studying thermal barrier coatings systems and solid oxide fuel cell systems and still maintains a guest research position at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST).