Standardization News

ASTM International Awards Four Graduate Scholarships

Four graduate student winners each received a $10,000 scholarship for their studies in fields where technical standards play a crucial role. This year’s winners were chosen from a competitive pool of more than 50 applications.

The following candidates have been given 2021 ASTM International graduate scholarships:

Patricio Carrion is a doctoral candidate at Auburn University studying mechanical engineering. He is an active contributor to the additive manufacturing technologies committee (F42) through the Auburn National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence and has been active in conducting research related to committee work items.

Laura Luna is a student member working towards her master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering at Dalhousie University. She will begin a doctoral program at the University of California (Davis) this fall. Luna will continue her research using several soil and rock committee (D18) standards as well as teaching more about ASTM standards to fellow graduate and undergraduate students.

Alex Thomas is a student member working towards his master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin (Stevens Point). Thomas is a participating member of the committees on steel, stainless steel, and related alloys (A01) and waste management (D34), and he is the current subchair of the D34 subcommittee on treatment, recovery, and reuse (D34.03).

Omid Vakili is a student member of the sports equipment, playing surfaces, and facilities committee (F08) and has experience with ASTM standards, particularly as related to helmet safety. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree in biomedical physiology and kinesiology at Simon Fraser University.

ASTM International has more than 5,000 student members at all levels of education who pay nothing for membership. The organization also 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 discussion.

ASTM International’s summer 2021 interns gather for a virtual meeting.

Successful Summer Internship Program Continues at ASTM

The end of August concluded the latest chapter in ASTM International’s student internship program. For more than a decade, ASTM has hosted students as summer interns. These interns have worked in every division within the organization. 

During summer 2021, 16 interns spent time at ASTM International. As was the case in 2020, the interns were working virtually, but they engaged in a variety of projects. 

“ASTM International has developed a robust internship program that spans the organization and creates opportunities for those looking for work experience while they are pursuing their undergraduate or graduate degrees,” says Timothy Brooke, president of the Safety Equipment Institute, an affiliate of ASTM International. Brooke has overseen the internship program since 2015.

WISE Intern Completes Final Presentation

Kennedy Brown concluded her time in the Washington Internships for Students of Engineering (WISE) program with her presentation, “An Investigation on Decentralized Wastewater Management Systems in Rural America: A Case Study on the Alabama Black Belt’s Wastewater Infrastructure Crisis.” 

ASTM International sponsored Brown for the WISE program. The WISE program began in 1980 to strengthen the intersection of engineering and public policy for future leaders of science and technology in the United States. 

Brown, who is entering her senior year at the University of Vermont (UVM), will complete her bachelor of science degree in civil engineering in 2022, with minors in mathematics and community and international development. She is also enrolled in the UVM accelerated master’s program and will complete her graduate degree in civil and environmental engineering in 2023. 

Brown has presented her research at numerous conferences such as the New England Water Environment Association annual conference and the Northeast Biosolids and Residuals Annual Conference. On completing her degrees, Brown intends to enter the workforce as a water resource engineer and later on earn a graduate degree in public health policy.

Doctoral Student Receives Mather Scholarship

The concrete and concrete aggregates committee (C09) has chosen a recipient for its 2021 Katherine and Byrant Mather Scholarship: Ying Wang. Wang is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in civil, architectural, and environmental engineering at the University of Miami. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Science and Technology, Beijing, China, in 2017; and a master’s degree in mineral process engineering from there in 2020. 

In 2018–2019, Wang was a visiting scholar at the University of Miami. During her time at this university, Wang has served as a teaching assistant, with duties including the demonstration of standard lab experiments using ASTM International standards. She has also been a research assistant, with duties including Ph.D. research on improving U.S. fly ash specifications to allow for the use of marginal/unconventional fly ashes.

ANSI Announces Student Paper Competition Winners

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has announced the winners of its 2021 student paper competition, which highlighted the theme, “The Use of Standards in the Global Fight Against COVID-19.” 

Jannatul Bushra and Habibor Rahman of the University of Arizona won first place for their paper “How Standards Can Facilitate the Global Fight against Pandemics and Improve Preparedness,” which describes how standards can enable additive manufacturing production of emergency medical supplies. Bushra and Rahman cited several ASTM International standards for material properties, performance specifications, and testing of medical face masks, which are overseen by the personal protective clothing and equipment committee (F23).

Patrick Henderson of Drexel University won second place for his paper, “Educational Standards and the Future of Digital Badging in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Promising Alternative for Reinforcing Student Competencies.” 

Student Design Project Grants

ASTM International is now offering a limited number of $500 grants to university students to help with student design projects containing an ASTM 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, and
• A statement of endorsement from a faculty mentor.

The deadline for project grant applications is October 31. LEARN MORE. ■