Standardization News

In each issue of Standardization News, we provide updates about ASTM International student members, faculty, and other professionals who are helping inspire the next generation of standardization. In the September/October issue, we shared the winners of our graduate scholarships, provided information about student project grant applications, and called for submissions for the Mary R. Norton award.

ASTM Awards $10,000 Scholarships to Four 2023 Graduate Students

ASTM International announced the graduate student winners of four $10,000 scholarships for their studies in fields where technical standards play a crucial role. This year’s winners were chosen from a competitive pool of various applicants.

ASTM has more than 5,000 student members at all levels of education who receive free membership. The organization offers several scholarship and grant opportunities each year. Undergraduate and graduate student members receive a front-row seat to the standards-development process, allowing them to network with technical experts and participate in standards discussions.

For more information on the free student membership and academic outreach activities, visit www.astm.org/studentmember.

Clara Eichler is a Ph.D. student in environmental sciences and engineering at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Clara is an active member on D22.05 with interest in working for the U.S. EPA or NIST to help contribute to advancing research and standards in her field.

Abir Hossain is a Ph.D. student in mechanical and aerospace engineering at Ohio State University. Abir has used published research utilizing ASTM fatigue and fracture standards and plans to continue to use them as he pursues a career as a tenured university professor.

Diana Wyman is a Ph.D. student in fiber and polymer science at North Carolina State University. Diana is a previous winner of this scholarship award, and once again impressed reviewers with her active engagement and contributions to the work of committee D13.

Omid Vakili is a Ph.D. student in biomedical physiology and kinesiology at Simon Fraser University (Canada). Omid is also a past award winner from 2021 and is now an active member of the F08 and F24 committees with a primary focus on safety.

ASTM Concrete and Concrete Aggregates Committee Awards Annual Mather Scholarship

ASTM’s concrete and concrete aggregates committee (C09) has awarded its 2022 Katharine and Bryant Mather Scholarship to Sandy Xi Di Chen, who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in civil engineering (concrete materials) at University of Toronto.

Chen researches the properties of a new European cement, its feasibility in the North American construction industry, and its potential to affect concrete sustainability. She completed a bachelor’s degree at Cornell University and received a scholarship from the ACI Foundation of the American Concrete Institute.

The Mather scholarship is presented each year to full-time undergraduate students completing their second/sophomore year of college, or later, or graduate students who are pursuing degrees specializing in cement or concrete materials technology or concrete construction. Each recipient receives up to $7,500 to be used for educational expenses and up to $1,500 to cover expenses to attend a C09 meeting. The award honors Katharine and Bryant Mather, both longtime members of C09, who directed much of the knowledge they gained over their long careers to the development of standards for concrete.

Student Project Grant Applications Due Oct. 31

ASTM International offers a limited number of $500 grants to university students to help with student design projects that contain an ASTM International standards component. ASTM will post the results as a student standards application paper on the ASTM website.

Recognizing that the students at some universities may need financial assistance in completing their graduate or senior capstone design projects and that the overall demonstration of the existence and understanding of industry standards and applicability to engineering is required, interested students should consider applying.

For the application, student(s) beginning a design or development project must submit an abstract summary describing the project that includes:

• Summarizing the project goal
• Listing the ASTM standards that are being considered to achieve the project goal
• Writing a declaration of intention to submit an application paper for publication by ASTM International on completion of the project
• A statement of endorsement from a faculty mentor

The deadline for project grant applications is Oct. 31. For more information, visit go.astm.org/campus or write to Travis Murdock.

Apply Now for the Mary R. Norton Award

ASTM International’s committee on metallography (E04) is once again seeking applications for their $1,000 Mary R. Norton Memorial Scholarship Award for Women. This award is offered to encourage women undergraduate seniors or first-year graduate students to pursue the study of physical metallurgy or materials science with emphasis on the relationship of microstructure to material properties. Questions or completed applications can be sent to Travis Murdock (ASTM academic outreach) or to Janet Gbur (E04 MRN award chair). For more information, visit go.astm.org/campus.