The Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE) was formed in 1985 as a National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC). ISU teams with industrial and government sponsors who help guide the research and share the results. At CNDE, scientists, faculty, support staff, and graduate and undergraduate students work closely, in an interdisciplinary fashion, with industry and government agencies to advance the field of NDE in its plurality. State-of-the-art research and commercial instrumentation at CNDE support cutting-edge R&D in numerous NDE modalities and technologies.
Center for Nondestructive Evaluation
While reading textbooks and classes are a good basis for learning, actual lab experience and using instrumentation is the most important thing to learn new, or in my case, foreign concepts.
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Dr. Joseph Turner
Full CNDE ProfileKirby Gray (Battelle) Chair in Engineering
Professor of Aerospace Engineering
Office: 151 Applied Science Complex II
Phone: 515-294-4111 -
Susie McBirnie
Full CNDE ProfileCoordinator & Liaison
Office: 151A Applied Sciences Complex II
Phone: (515) 294-8152 -
Cheryl Sansgaard
Full CNDE ProfileResearch Administrator III
Office: 153C Applied Sciences Complex II
Phone: 515-294-8157 -
Melissa Twedt
Full CNDE ProfileGrants Assistant II
Office: 151 Applied Sciences Complex II
Phone: 515-294-5813
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CNDE Webinar Schedule
Read more: CNDE Webinar ScheduleCheck back for updates as we work on our 2026 Webinar schedule.
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CNDE is Hiring a Research Scientist III
Read more: CNDE is Hiring a Research Scientist IIIThe Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE) at Iowa State University is seeking qualified candidates for a Research Scientist III position. This role will lead research in X-ray radiography, computed tomography (CT), and related imaging technologies. Candidates must bring extensive knowledge of experimental and modeling principles within these X-ray-based NDE domains. CNDE partners closely with industrial…
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Director Joe Turner Discusses the Uniqueness of CNDE & NDE Minor
Read more: Director Joe Turner Discusses the Uniqueness of CNDE & NDE MinorIn a recent interveiw Dr. Joe Turner, CNDE Director, talks about the Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE) and how unique we are, the future, and the NDE Minor.
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Scott Wendt Bids Farewell to CNDE
Read more: Scott Wendt Bids Farewell to CNDEThank you, Scott Wendt, for 31+ years at CNDE and Iowa State University.
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Trent Moritz Is Set To Complete His Ph.D.
Read more: Trent Moritz Is Set To Complete His Ph.D.CNDE would like to congratulate Trent Moritz, one of Iowa State University/CNDE’s graduate students, on completing his Ph.D. and securing a position as an RF Engineer with the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) at John Hopkins University.
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CNDE hosted its Fall 2025 Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) Meeting on October 28-30
Read more: CNDE hosted its Fall 2025 Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) Meeting on October 28-30As usual, CNDE hosted a Pizza with Students event, during which our board members connected with students interested in working in the NDE community after graduation. CNDE researchers presented updates on four research projects that started in August 2025. Team members for the MAPOD & Grand Challenge project also provided updates on their ongoing project. …
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Dr. Reza Zoughi’s Farwell Message
Read more: Dr. Reza Zoughi’s Farwell MessageThis is a bittersweet moment for me to say goodbye to all my friends and colleagues at CNDE and ISU. I came to CNDE in 2019 because I genuinely believed it is a very special place. We just celebrated the 40th anniversary of CNDE, marking 40 years of innovation, research and educational achievements.