HIGHLIGHTS ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | MARCH 2025 54 $500 to receive the award at the ASM Awards Luncheon. Application deadline June 30. “Living in a Material World”—$500 Teacher Grants Provides support for K-12 teachers to develop and implement science teaching activities. Award: 30 grants of $500 each. Deadline September 30. To learn more about any of these programs, visit asmfoundation.org. EMERGING PROFESSIONALS Engineering Possibilities Students pursuing materials science and engineering are often asked, “What do you do with that?” A professor of mine used to say, “We engineer the stuff that’s used to build other stuff.” This seminal quote has stuck with me to this day. Believe it or not, materials science and engineering can be viewed as the foundation for all engineering practices and disciplines. From the soil and concrete used to erect skyscrapers, to the micro-sensors placed in smart devices, to the polymeric composite used to manufacture a new yoga mat—materials science exists in all these applications, regardless of the magnitude. It should give emerging materials scientists and engineers the confidence that they chose the right path. But how can students prepare for these exciting career paths? One of the best experiences a student can pursue is an internship, whether at a university through programs such as Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs), at national laboratories, or in an industrial setting. Internships not only provide practical experience but also offer a chance to explore different career paths, build professional networks, and gain valuable insights into the day-to-day work of a materials scientist. It may seem daunting to apply for internships and meet specified requirements, but just know there are hundreds of students in your same position thinking the same thing. Approaching contacts listed on REU sites or reaching out to people working in research at national labs and private companies is not as intimidating as it may seem. Many professionals are eager to mentor students and share their expertise. Further, joining a student chapter of ASM International or a partnering society can connect you with a community of like-minded peers and professionals. ASM, as well as universities, often offer funding and pathways to attending conferences, local symposiums, or meetings that directly introduce students to people in the field. If you are a student in materials science and engineering wondering “what will I do with that?”—remember that the possibilities are endless. Explore the resources available to you, connect with professionals in the field, and embrace the opportunity to shape the future with the power of materials. Holden Hyer Oak Ridge National Laboratory THE FACE OF MATERIALS ENGINEERING This profile series features members from around the world at all stages in their careers. Here we speak with Kushal Singla, postdoctoral research associate at the Institute for Corrosion and Multiphase Technology (ICMT) at Ohio University. What does your typical workday look like? My workday typically starts early, around 6 or 7 a.m. I use the quiet morning hours for reading scientific literature, writing reports or publications, and planning my day. During the day, I conduct experiments that range from a few hours to week-long setups. This involves extensive preparation and post-experiment analysis, such as materials characterization using techniques like SEM, optical profilometry, and Raman spectroscopy. I also oversee the QCM-D and XRD equipment at ICMT, which includes maintaining the systems and training graduate and undergraduate students. My workday often includes research project update meetings and, as with any experimental work, troubleshooting various challenges. What are you working on now? My current work focuses on addressing corrosion challenges in carbon capture and transport systems. I conduct high-pressure experiments at temperatures ranging from -55° to 150°C in CO₂ environments, incorporating typical field impurities such as NOx, SOx, and H₂O to simulate real-world conditions. The goal is to expose metal samples to these conditions, determine corrosion rates, evaluate the corrosion products, and identify the underlying mechanisms driving the corrosion processes—eventually working toward the goal of providing insights to mitigate corrosion in these critical systems. What is your engineering background? I have a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from PEC University of Technology and a master’s degree specializing in corrosion science from the department of metallurgical engineering and materials science at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. In 2024, I received a Ph.D. Hyer Singla THE FACE OF ENGINEERING
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