Liam is a Senior Metallurgical Engineering student at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He first became interested in metallurgy in high school when he built his own metal melting foundry for aluminum and copper. The interest in the science behind metals only kept growing from that point on, and Liam soon found himself applying to SDSMT. Since arriving at SDSMT, Liam has become involved in a variety of different clubs and activities on campus such as Circle K International, undergraduate research with the Materials Science department, and Vice President of the Material Advantage chapter. Additionally, during his summers Liam has interned at Logan Aluminum and Hydro Extrusion. After achieving his Bachelor’s in Metallurgical Engineering, Liam plans on pursuing a Master’s in Materials Science. He then hopes to put this knowledge to use in the research field of aerospace materials development.

Emmie is a rising senior at Arizona State University studying Material Science and Engineering. For Emmie, material science provides a creative and hands-on outlet for her love of chemistry, materials, and the great outdoors. Previously, Emmie interned at Brookhaven National Laboratory studying nuclear chemistry. She has also worked as an undergraduate researcher at UCSC fabricating photodetectors for medical imaging. At ASU, she has the privilege of working in the Quantum Materials and Applications Laboratry sythesizing and characterizing novel nanomaterials. At ASU, Emmie enjoys being a teaching assistant and holding officer roles in various clubs. As she continues her formal education via the accelerated masters program at ASU, she intends to concentrate on gaining a strong ability to problem solve in hopes of making the world a better place through fundamental science.

Brianna is a senior Metallurgical Engineering and Applied Biological Sciences student at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. As her combination of majors suggests, she has a diverse set of interests, but has been fascinated by the mix of chemistry, physics, and mechanics behind materials science since attending an ASM camp in high school. This spring, Brianna was awarded the best undergraduate presentation at SDSMT’s annual research symposium for her work on plastic degradation using locally harvested microbes. Besides research, schoolwork and participation in SDSMT’s Materials Advantage chapter, blacksmithing club, and orchestra keep Brianna busy. She is extremely grateful to have received this award and is eager to contribute to the materials field from the foundation acquired in her undergraduate studies.

Caleb attends the Colorado School of Mines where he is a senior in Metallurgical and Material Engineering. He practices rock climbing, fly fishing, skateboarding, and collects minerals. His research experience includes the effect of paint-baking on the mechanical behavior of spot welds in advanced steel (Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center), the development of a web-based program for measuring the phase-fraction of austenite in steel (NIST), and metallography of Mg-Li metal matrix composite for use in the shielding of thermal neutrons
(REU – University of Florida). Thanks go out to: David Marshall, Dr. Adam Creuziger, and Dr. Michele Manuel for the experiences mentioned above. Caleb has been involved with the Material Advantage chapter at Mines, acting as Vice-President, competing in Materials Bowl, and Ceramic Disc. He plans to attend graduate school but is undecided in his focus area.

Jordan is a senior in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at the University of Florida. Through her professional network in this program, she explored her interest in renewable energy and batteries. Jordan did an REU at Colorado School of Mines where she studied antiperovskite materials as electrolytes for batteries. Currently, she does research with Dr. Honggyu Kim at UF where she assists in characterizing the relationship of defect formation and material properties using transmission electron microscopy. Outside of work experience, she is the ceramic compositions team lead for the UF Ceramic Mug Drop team that competes at MS&T. She also is an engineering peer advisor for her college where she mentors underclassmen in their schedules and opportunities. After graduation, Jordan is pursuing her PhD in Materials Science.

Irenaeus is a student passionate about applying materials science and technology to develop a more equitable world with his focus on education, materials for renewable energy, and catalytic capital in the context of ESG investing. He is currently working to drive the widespread adoption of sustainable energy and transitioning the largest emitting industries to “net zero” through his experiences as a materials engineering student. This summer (2022) he will be interning in Tokyo and California, where he will develop novel sustainable manufacturing practices for the steel and silicon refining industries, and work to make building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) a more reliable, accessible, and financially viable product. Irenaeus is also the founder of MATLS Hacks, the first free Materials Hackathon competition, drawing over $10,000 in funding and 100 applicants from university students across Canada. Thanks to the generous support of ASM Materials Education Foundation, Irenaeus hopes to study the bleeding edge of materials product design for sustainable energy and manufacturing across the globe.

Ashlie is entering her 4th year at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities studying Materials Science and Engineering. She discovered her passion for Materials Science through the MRSEC REU program at University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign where she simulated electron diffraction of two-dimensional materials in Pinshane Huang’s lab. Currently, she is working in Nathan Mara’s lab where she is measuring the nanomechanical properties of nanoscale layered Ti-TiN thin films. Outside of research, she participates in multiple extracurricular activities including Material Advantage, Marching Band, Tau Beta Sigma and Traditional Karate-do Academy. When it comes to leadership, she has served as Secretary in Tau Beta Sigma and is currently the Project Officer in Material Advantage and a Student Board Member for ASM International. Ashlie wants to thank ASM Materials Education Foundation and Acta Materialia for their generosity as the scholarship she received motivates her to complete her degree and to attend graduate school.

Katherine is entering her fourth year of studies within Materials Science and Engineering program at the University of Florida. In the year since transferring to the university, her fascination for the field has grown steadily through classes pertaining to the field and involvement in the UF chapter of Material Advantage. In addition, Katherine is currently involved in this year’s ASM Design Competition developing remote sensing technology for lunar environments. This fall, she will begin research in nanocomposite scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration. Katherine is incredibly grateful for the generosity of the ASM Materials Education Foundation and Acta Materialia and plans to continue her graduate studies in the field of regenerative medicine.

Jennifer’s passion for metals started in middle school with soldering in an engineering class, then welding in high school. She Is currently a fourth-year student at SDSM&T where she will graduate with her Bachelor’s in Metallurgical Engineering and a Master’s in Materials Engineering and Science in May of 2023. Jennifer will also receive a Certificate in Engineering Management from the Industrial Engineering Department. Since freshman year, Jennifer has researched extractive and powder metallurgy with her department. She is also involved in other clubs like President of Material Advantage for her second year, SME officer, and more. She has also done a Co-Op with Nucor and an internship with Vishay Dale Electronics. Her next step is to work in the Research and Development sector of industry.

Adam is a rising junior studying Materials Science and Engineering in the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University. Adam’s interest in chemistry was transformed into a fascination with the field of materials science in high school after spending a summer working in a graduate lab at Carnegie Mellon University researching graphene nanomaterials. He carried this interest in nanomaterials to Penn State, where he currently works under Dr. Joshua Robinson doing semiconductor fabrication research. Outside of school, Adam is a member of the Penn State chapters of Materials Advantage, Engineers Without Borders, and the Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Co-Ed Business
Fraternity. After graduation, he plans to spend a few years working in industry before returning to school to pursue a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering.

Daniel is a senior studying Welding and Metallurgical Engineering Technology at Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan. Daniel began his pursuit of interest in metallurgy while learning to weld at Washtenaw Community College. His interest in joining ferrous and non-ferrous metals continues to grow. He is currently working as a weld technician at Washtenaw Community College where he enjoys engaging with people new to the welding field and sharing his growing knowledge. Daniel is very appreciative of the ASM’s selection for him to receive the Edward J Dulis Scholarship award. After completing his degree at WSU he plans to work as a weld engineer.