Kun Yan joined School of Materials from 2015 as research fellow to investigate the damage formation process during forming of advanced high strength multi-phase steels. Supported by Tata steel Europe and Diamond Light Source, a series of in-situ X-ray diffraction and tomography experiments have been conducted to investigate the correlation between phase, strain and macro inclusions. During her PhD study at Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and University of Wollongong, Kun Yan has investigated the plastic deformation mechanisms of thermal-mechanical processed high-manganese steels, including twinning induced plasticity steel and transformation induced plasticity steel. In-situ diffraction tests and self-consistent models (EPSC / VPSC) were employed to understand the contribution of twinning, phase transformation and slip to the excellent ductility of high-manganese steels. In addition, Kun Yan has also provided consultancy advice to the area of residual stress assessment and finite element modelling of flexible pipe used in sub-sea oil and gas extraction.