2026 ASM Award Program Recipients
The ASM International Board of Trustees has named the award program recipients for 2026. The awards program recognizes the achievements of members of the materials science and engineering community. Awards will be presented at ASM’s Awards Dinner, Tuesday, September 29th in Quebec City during IMAT26. Tickets for the Awards Dinner can be ordered by using the IMAT registration form. Those interested in purchasing a table may contact Christine Hoover, Administrator, Awards Program, ASM International, Materials Park, Ohio 44073-0002; 440.338.5444; or email: [email protected].
Honorary Membership
Honorary Membership in the Society was established in 1919. It recognizes distinguished service to the materials science and engineering profession, service in areas of ASM strategic plan/initiatives and to the progress of mankind.
Dr. William E. Frazier, FASM
President, Pilgrim Consulting, LLC,
Lusby, MD.
“For innovative and unique contributions in direction, research and development, appreciation and transition of naval aviation technologies, pioneering leading edge additive manufacturing programs and for being a role model for engineers and scientists in advanced manufacturing and distinguished service to the materials community and humankind.”
Gold Medal
The medal was established in 1943 to recognize outstanding knowledge and great versatility in the application of science to the field of materials science and engineering, as well as exceptional ability in the diagnosis and solution of diversified materials problems.
Prof. Roger J. Narayan, FASM
Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University,
Raleigh, N.C.
“Pioneering contributions in synthesis and processing of advanced biomaterials and laser-based additive manufacturing of nanoscale and mesoscale biomedical devices.”
Medal for the Advancement of Research
The Medal for the Advancement of Research was established in 1943, to honor an executive in an organization, one of whose important activities is the production, fabrication or use of metals and other materials. The recipient, over a period of years, shall have consistently sponsored research or development and by foresight and actions shall have helped substantially to advance the arts and sciences relating to materials science and engineering.
Dr. Mehrooz Zamanzadeh, FASM
Executive Director Corrosion, Matergenics, Inc.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
“For groundbreaking innovations in electrochemical sensing and corrosion science, including the first in-situ hydrogen embrittlement sensor, transforming predictive materials performance and enabling safer infrastructure systems.”
J. Willard Gibbs Phase Equilibria Award
The award was established in 2007 to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of Phase Equilibria. The award honors J. Willard Gibbs, one of America’s greatest theoretical scientists. In addition to many other contributions, Gibbs laid the thermodynamic foundations of phase equilibria theory with his brilliant essay “On the Equilibrium of Heterogeneous Substances” published in 1876 and 1878 in the Transactions of the Connecticut Academy.
Prof. Stefano Curtarolo
Director, Center for Autonomous Materials Design,
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science,
Duke University,
Durham, N.C.
“For pioneering contributions to high-throughput computational thermodynamics and synthesizability theories with application to disordered ceramics.”
Allan Ray Putnam Service Award
Established in 1988, the award recognizes the exemplary efforts of various outstanding members of ASM International on behalf of the Society to further its objectives and goals. The purpose of this award is to recognize those individuals whose contributions have been especially noteworthy and to whom the Society owes a particularly great debt of appreciation.
Mr. Robert L. Hanlin
University of Missouri Kansas City,
Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering,
Retired
“For exceptional service, duty and tenure on the Action in Education Committee and Teachers Camp programs of ASM International in support of students and teachers and furthering the society’s objectives and goals.”
Dr. Ashok Kumar Tiwari
Director, Chemi-Chem,
Mumbai, India
“For devoted and continued service to ASM in different capacities for over two decades, for contributing to chapter expansion in India leading to increase in membership base.”
Albert Easton White Distinguished Teacher Award
The award was established in 1960 in memory of an outstanding teacher and research engineer, who was a founding member and president of ASM in 1921. It recognizes unusually long and devoted service in teaching, as well as significant accomplishments in materials science and engineering, and an unusual ability to inspire and impart enthusiasm to students.
Prof. Vilupanur Ravi, FASM
Professor, Chemical and Materials Engineering,
California State Polytechnic University,
Pomona, Calif.
“For long and sustained dedication teaching students with extraordinary zeal and enthusiasm; pioneering and innovative contributions to high temperature materials, protective coatings, and corrosion; and selfless service to mentoring students, and to materials professional societies.”
Silver Medal Award
Established in 2010, the honor of Silver Medal of the Society is to provide recognition to members who are in mid-career positions (typically 10 to 20 years of experience), for distinguished contributions in the field of materials science and engineering, and the society. The purpose of this award is to recognize leadership at an early stage and encourage individuals to grow, nurture, and further contribute to the growth of the profession, as well as the society.
Prof. Lukas Bichler
Professor, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Canada
“For stellar technical contributions in novel ceramic and carbon-based materials, development of advanced lightweight automotive materials, unique academic mentorship and outstanding professional service to materials communities in USA and Canada.”
Dr. Jeffrey Bunn
Neutron Instrument Scientist, Neutron Scattering Division,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
Tennessee
“For outstanding leadership in neutron diffraction for residual stress characterization, transformative instrument development at ORNL, and dedicated service to ASM International at both local and national levels.”
Bronze Medal Award
Established in 2014, the honor of Bronze Medal of the Society recognizes ASM members who are in early-career positions, typically, 0 to 10 years of experience, for their significant contributions in the field of materials science and engineering through technical content and service to ASM and the materials science profession. Candidates must have a proven record of not more than 10 years of experience in their chosen field at the time of nomination.
Dr. Jessica Buckner, PhD., MBA
R&D S&E Materials Engineering,
Sandia National Laboratory,
Albuquerque, N.M.
“For contributions to hypersonics material development and titanium additive manufacturing, alongside her leadership in maintaining and reinvigorating the ASM Albuquerque chapter, while leading multiple conferences, courses, and mentoring initiatives for the society.”
Dr. Ellen E. Wright, PhD., P.E.
Senior Consultant, Engineering Systems, Inc.,
Kansas City, Mo.
“For expertise in failure analysis and advancing the discipline through the Failure Analysis Society and technical content, while contributing to her organization as a leader and champion of a new regional office.”
Bradley Stoughton Award for Early Career Teachers
This award accompanied by $3000, was established in 1952 in memory of an outstanding teacher in metallurgy and dean of engineering who was president of ASM in 1942. The award recognizes early career teachers of materials science, materials engineering, and design and processing, by rewarding them for their ability to impart knowledge and enthusiasm to students. The recipient must have not more than 10 years teaching experience at the time of nomination.
Prof. Michael J. Benoit
Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering,
University of Waterloo,
Ontario, Canada
“For significant contributions to the materials science community and to student education, training, and development through his passion for teaching, innovative approach to curriculum design, and genuine care for student success”.
Henry Marion Howe Medal
The Henry Marion Howe Award was established in 1923 and is awarded in memory of a distinguished teacher, metallurgist, and consultant, to honor the author (or authors) whose paper has been selected as the best of those published in a specific volume of Metallurgical and Materials Transactions.
Dr. Katherine E. Rader
Materials Scientist,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
Richland, WA
Dr. Andrew Chuang
Physicist,
Argonne National Laboratory,
Lemont, IL.
Dr. Mark Bowden
Senior Scientist,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA.
Mr. Alan Schemer-Kohrn
Technician,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
Richland, WA.
Dr. Jonova Thomas
Postdoctoral Research Associate,
Argonne National Laboratory,
Lemont, IL.
Dr. Dileep Singh, FASM
Argonne Distinguished Fellow and Department Director,
Argonne National Laboratory,
Lemont, IL.
Dr. Aashish Rohatgi
Senior Scientist,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
Richland, WA.
For their paper entitled:
“In-situ Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction of Ultrasonic Microstructural Refinement During Solidification in a Commercial Al-Si-Mg Alloy.”
ASM Historical Landmark Designation
In 1969, the ASM Historical Landmarks Designation was established to identify permanently the many sites and events that have played a prominent part in the discovery, development, and growth of metals and metalworking. In 1987, the scope of this award broadened to include all engineered materials.
Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE)
Los Alamos, New Mexico
“For transforming materials science by revealing processing-structure-properties-performance relationships through neutron and proton beams—advancing national security, energy innovation, and fundamental discovery since 1972.”
Engineering Materials Achievement Award (EMAA)
Established In 1969, this award recognizes an outstanding achievement in materials or materials systems relating to the application of knowledge of materials to an engineering structure or to the design and manufacture of a product.
CorePower Magnetics, Pittsburgh, PA
Dr. Paul Ohodnicki, Jr., Dr. Sam Kernion, Mr. Kevin Byerly, Ms. Leah Ohodnicki, Dr. Kyle Schneider, Mr. Tim Mould, Mr. Brett Riale, Ms. Meghan Laba, Dr. Veda Duppalli, Mr. Mark Nations and Prof. Michael McHenry – Carnegie Mellon University
“For the development and commercialization of permeability-engineered nanocrystalline soft magnetic materials for high-efficiency power electronics and electric machines.”
Albert Sauveur Achievement Award
Established in 1934 in honor of a distinguished teacher, metallographer, and metallurgist, recognizes pioneering materials science and engineering achievements that have stimulated organized work along similar lines to such an extent that a marked basic advance has been made in the knowledge of materials science and engineering.
Prof. Kenneth S. Vecchio, FASM
Professor, Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego
“For innovation in structural materials, leadership in the application of computational tools in alloy development, for fostering a new vision for NanoTechnology education and Nanomaterials”.
William Hunt Eisenman Award
The award was established in 1960, in memory of a founding member of ASM, and its first and only secretary for 40 years. It recognizes unusual achievements in industry in the practical application of materials science and engineering through production or engineering use.
Dr. Victor Champagne, Jr., FASM
High-Rate Additive Manufacturing Leader, US Army Research Laboratory, Dudley, MA
“For providing a fundamental understanding of the cold spray bonding mechanism and relationship to the Critical Impact Velocity (CIV) leading to a new class of commercialized cold spray powders.”
Marcus A. Grossmann Early Career Author Award
The Marcus A. Grossmann Early Career Author Award was established in 1960 in recognition of Dr. Grossmann’s accomplishments and especially in recognition of his abiding interest in and encouragement of younger metallurgists and materials engineers.
Mr. Esmaeil Damavandi
For his paper entitled:
“Effects of prior solution treatment on the superior strengthening of texture component of ECAPed Al-18Si-4.2Cu alloy.”, Published in, Metallurgical and Materials Transaction A; Volume 55 pages 2616-2634, August 2024
The following ASM Organizational Unit Awards will be presented at the ASM Leadership Luncheon at IMAT2026 in Quebec City.
Student Paper Contest
The ASM Student Paper Contest was established in 1985, as a mechanism for student participation in Society affairs. The award recognizes the best technical paper with a graduate or undergraduate student as first author that is published in an ASM-owned or co-owned journal during the year. The contest and associated award will be announced in the January issue of ASM News and will be communicated to colleges and universities in January each year.
Raja Ankit Anand
Project Research Scientist,
Indian Institute of Technology,
Bombay, India
For his paper entitled:
“Investigation of Phase Evolution During Induration of Hematite Pellets with Varying Coke Content”
published in Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, February 2026.
ASM International Outstanding Graduate Scholar Award
The Outstanding Graduate Scholar Award was established in 2025 to recognize graduate students who have shown outstanding scholarly performance in the field of metallurgy/materials science and engineering and related careers.
Ms. Amy Kurr
Materials Engineer,
University of Tennessee,
Knoxville, Tenn.
Emerging Professional Achievement Award
The Emerging Professional Achievement Award was established in 2010 to recognize and honor extraordinary ASM volunteers who are less senior individuals, i.e., 0-5 years of experience post-graduation, who have made a significant impact on ASM International through devoted service and dedication to the future of the Society.
Ms. Amrutha Sampath
Senior Electrical Failure Analysis Engineer, Product Diagnostic Center,
NXP Semiconductors,
Austin, Texas
“For advancing the failure analysis community through influential WEFA leadership, EDFAS SYP engagement, student outreach, EDFAS volunteer service, and significant contributions to ISTFA as reviewer, organizer, educator, and ambassador for emerging professionals.”