Thermal Spray Open Mic Series
The ASM Thermal Spray Society (TSS) Open Mic offers the thermal spray community a unique opportunity to hear directly from some of the most influential leaders in the global thermal spray industry. This engaging series features informal, “fireside chat” style conversations designed to spark discussion about career paths, industry trends, and the future of thermal spray.
Each session begins with a brief presentation followed by an interactive Q&A, creating an open forum for both technical and non-technical dialogue. Participants gain valuable insights while building connections that can lead to future collaborations and professional relationships.
WITS (Women in Thermal Spray) and Wisdom: Building Better Coatings—and Better Communities—Together
November 18, 2026 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. ET
A panel discussion featuring women leaders in the thermal spray community, sharing their experiences, perspectives, career journeys, and insights into the future of the industry.
Deborah Curtis, Hannecard
Wania Jibran, Tecnar Surface Technologies
Wania Jibran holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alberta, where her thesis research focused on the use of cold sprayed coatings for structural repair of aerospace and defence components. With several published research articles and conference presentations, Wania has built years of experience at the intersection of robotics, automation, and thermal spray. Previously at Ocado Technology, she led product development bringing large-scale robotic systems to industrial environments and successfully deploying over 2,000 robots worldwide. Having worked hands-on with thermal spray technology herself, Wania brings deep appreciation for the challenges faced by users in the field. This is a passion that now drives her work as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Tecnar Surface Technologies, where she leads business and product development for the company’s spray sensor product line, working closely with customers to improve thermal spray processes and scale them for modern industrial demands.
Aleksandra Nastic, University of Ottawa
Dr. Aleksandra Nastic is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ottawa, where she leads a research program focused on advanced manufacturing, cold spray technology, and surface engineering. Her research develops novel functional surfaces, catalyst materials and advanced coatings for demanding environments, creating previously unattainable surface architectures and functionalities for applications in energy systems, aerospace, and Arctic and remote infrastructure.
She has received more than fifteen highly competitive scholarships and fellowships, four Journal of Thermal Spray Technology Best Paper Awards, and a Physics of Fluids Featured Article for research recognized by the editors as among the journal’s best. She was the Valedictorian of the University of Ottawa’s 2022 Faculty of Engineering cohort, served as Chair of the NSERC Doctoral and Postdoctoral Scholarship Selection Committee, and is a member of the Thermal Spray Society (TSS) and a founding member of Women in Thermal Spraying (WiTS).
Emma Peleg, Sandia National Laboratories
Emma Peleg is a postdoctoral appointee at Sandia National Laboratories in the Thermal and Kinetic Spray Technologies group. She completed her Ph.D. at Stony Brook University in the spring of 2026, publishing a multidisciplinary dissertation on the effects of sprayed microstructure on the propagation and scattering of acoustic, elastic, and plastic waves. Emma is also actively involved in the Thermal Spray Society, serving as a student board member between 2024-2026 and as a member of the Membership, Marketing, and Outreach Committee. She is also one of the founding members of the Women in Thermal Spray initiative, helping to kick start the series of workshops, panels, and activities since the committee’s inception.
Filofteia-Laura Toma, Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS
With more than 25 years of R&D experience in thermal coating, Dr. Toma works closely with academia and industry partners, ensuring support from the development of the advanced, multifunctional and environmental friendly coating solutions and products up to the technology transfer, endorsing novel thermal coating solutions to industrial and environmental challenges. She has been contributed to JTST and TSS events for over 15 years. 2025 she was awarded the TSS President’s Award for Meritorious Service.
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Dr. Bertrand Jodoin
University of Ottawa, Canada
Mr. Charles Kay, FASM
Hannecard Roller Coatings, United States
Dr. Rogerio Lima, FASM
National Research Council of Canada
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Phone: 440-671-3834
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