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A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6
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VOLUNTEERISM COMMITTEE
alloys, products, customers, and partners, thus the tech-
nical work varies significantly, requiring me to constantly
expand my knowledge in not only alloy design, but in multi-
ple fields, which I greatly enjoy.
What is your engineering background?
I started my undergraduate studies in materials design
and engineering at the Royal Institute of Technology in
Stockholm and continued through a master’s program spe-
cializing in biomedical engineering while also focusing on
metallurgy. This rather unusual combination of design, biol-
ogy, and metallurgy prepared me for an ideal Ph.D. project
on biomedical alloy design at University of Florida.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently involved in seven projects focusing on
various classes of alloys or processes for different applica-
tions. While there is a large variety between the projects,
the methodologies and tools I use are similar between them
and utilize integrated computational materials engineering,
with work spanning from alloy design concept generation
to process assessment and property modeling. As an exam-
ple, I’m looking at chemistry modifications of a commercial
alloy and its effect on properties, by modeling the phase
evolution with time using thermodynamic and kinetic mod-
els, and correlating the nano- and microstructure to macro-
scopic behaviors. The principles are the same whether you
work with turbine blades or gum wrappers.
How many people do you work with?
QuesTek has 23 fulltime employees. The majority have
Ph.D.s, in materials science, mechanical engineering, or
physics, and while male dominated, there is a variety of cul-
tural backgrounds, ages, and personalities among us. The
small size of the company makes personal day-to-day inter-
actions inevitable, and I’m happy to be around people who
are not only intelligent, but also fun and kind.
If a young person approached you for career advice
about pursuing engineering, what would you tell them?
Engineering is probably not what you think it is, or
at least only part of it. Engineering skills can be applied to
almost any field, regardless of discipline. As long as you
enjoy what you do and are willing to learn new things, you
canmake a career out of it. Therefore I would encourage any
engineering studies or training. I would further suggest get-
ting involved in professional organizations within fields of
interest by attending meetings and networking to get a bet-
ter understanding of the society you’re considering going
into. This could provide a deeper insight than, for example,
textbook reading or listening to people’s opinions and expe-
riences. It could also give you an idea of the structure of the
community, which could identify paths needed to reach a
certain position or environment you are interested in.
Hobbies?
Traveling, skiing, dining, baking, and hiking. Basically
anything involving new experiences or food and drinks.
Last book read?
“Portenmot evigheten” byUlfWestblomandJohnÅgren.
For more information about ASM’s Women in Materials
Engineering Committee, visit asminternational.org/wime.
VOLUNTEERISM
COMMITTEE
Profile of a Volunteer
Beth Matlock, Senior Materials Engi-
neer, Technology for Energy Corp. (TEC)
When you’re blazing a new trail, it’s
good to have help. In the 1970s, Beth Mat-
lock was the only woman among 15 class-
mates in materials engineering at North
Carolina State University. She started out
as a pre-med student, but a chance encounter discussing
super-sharp scissors while working at J.C. Penney led to a
job in an x-ray diffraction lab and the decision to change her
major. After winning an ASM academic paper contest, she
was off and running. “It was maybe only $25, but to me that
award was huge,” recalls Matlock. “I got support and men-
toring from people in the industry.”
Matlock graduated in 1977 and moved to Lynchburg,
Va., to work in failure analysis for Babcock and Wilcox. Her
boss made it clear to all employees: “You will be active in
ASM.” Matlock served on the executive committee and
laughs recalling her “greatest contribution:” changing invi-
tations from “bring your wife” to “bring your spouse.” She
and her husband moved to Knoxville, Tenn., in 1982 for his
job and welcomed their first child. Working as a consultant,
Matlock joined the Oak Ridge Chapter and helped with
membership outreach.
Employed by TEC for 32 years, Matlock works in the
materials testing division. She’s served in numerous roles
with the Oak Ridge Chapter including chair in 2010 and
marvels at tremendous programs in this active chapter.
Her two children attended meetings and both became
engineers. “My son went to more meetings than most
members!” she says with a smile, remembering topics like
Cummins Engine Co., the Titanic, and the legend of the
Damascus sword.
Matlock is still an active ASM volunteer for member-
ship outreach. She also runs her own beef cattle farm and
plays piano for her church. “We were put on this earth to
give back,” she says. “ASM has given much to me. I need to
pass that on to young students and engineers.”
Matlock