ASM’s 2026 Class of Fellows

 In 1969, ASM established the Fellow of the Society honor to provide recognition to members for their distinguished contributions to materials science and engineering and to develop a broadly based forum of technical and professional leaders to serve as advisors to the society.  ASM will recognize the 2026 Class of Fellows at the Annual Awards Banquet held during IMAT’26, on Tuesday, on Tuesday, September 29th in Quebec City, Canada.  Tickets can be purchased with IMAT registration.

The following are the members recognized by their colleagues for 2026.  Additional Fellows may be elected to this distinguished body in subsequent years.  The solicited guidance, which the Fellows will provide, will enhance the capability of ASM as a technical community of materials science and engineering in the years ahead.

Mr. Thomas N. Ackerson, FASM
Technical Fellow
Blue Origin, LLC
Merritt Island, FL

“In recognition of expertise in corrosion research, materials testing, and failure analysis.”

Dr. Dominik Britz, FASM
Director
Materials Engineering
Center Saarland
Saarbruecken, Germany

“For pioneering theory, application, and commercialization of Artificial Intelligence in microstructural analysis, advancing surface contrast methods, and fostering a globally connected metallography community.”

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2026 ASM Award Program Recipients

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.”

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.”

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.

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