ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | JANUARY 2026 19 I t is a pleasure and an honor to introduce Dr. Elizabeth Hoffman, FASM, to the ASM International community as our new president. I had the privilege of meeting Liz over a decade ago at an ASM conference and later had the opportunity to work closely with her as a Board trustee during my ASM presidential term. ACADEMIC AND SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS A trailblazer from the start, Liz was the first in her family to graduate from college, subsequently earning her Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from Drexel University, where she was supported through a National Science Foundation fellow- ship. She began her professional journey at Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) performing research in materials science associated with aging of a variety of materials systems in extreme environments. Her work covered areas such as elastomer aging, corrosion, metallic whisker growth, and the effect of radiation on ternary carbides. Not long after, Liz transitioned into leadership roles, supporting researchers across the laboratory. in preserving this history as well as her ongoing efforts and experience clearly demonstrate her commitment to building a strong, interconnected materials science community. Liz’s national service to ASM began with the Emerging Professionals Committee. Throughout the years, she chaired several committees and task forces including the Chapter Relations Subcommittee of the Chapter Council and District V Representative, Bradley Stoughton Award Committee, Bronze Medal Award Committee, Silver Medal Award Committee, Awards Policy Committee, Emerging Technology Awareness Committee, and New Products 2025-2026 PRESIDENT OF ASM INTERNATIONAL ELIZABETH HOFFMAN Diana Essock, FASM, 2020-2021 ASM President LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION A natural leader with an innovative edge, Liz advanced at SRNL into an R&D group manager role, where she led researchers working on glass and cementitious materials for safe nuclear waste disposition. A few years later, she moved into program management, supporting the laboratory’s expanding engagement with universities and building an organization that fostered innovation by integrating joint appointments, laboratory-directed research, postdoctoral and internship programs, and research library resources. This combined effort provided resources to the SRNL R&D community and established metrics for measuring organizational performance. Liz’s leader- ship style has always emphasized community and mutual support, fostering excellence through innovative approaches. Currently, Liz serves as Director of Institutional Mission Capture, in which she supports laboratory staff with programs to address critical national needs. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE Liz’s leadership and innovative mind have always extended far beyond the laboratory, particularly through her contributions to ASM International. As a student at Drexel University, Liz was active with the ASM Philadelphia Chapter, and after moving to South Carolina, became deeply involved in the Savannah River Chapter. While organizing technical meetings and local industry tours, she unearthed a historic telegram from Dwight D. Eisenhower. In that cable to the chair of a Southern Metals Conference held in Augusta, Georgia, the U.S. President said, “The achievements of metallurgical science have contributed greatly to the strength of our nation.” Liz’s interest Liz preparing a dynamic mechanical analyzer for sample testing. Savannah River Chapter meeting, at which former Clemson University Professor Dr. Serji Amirkhanian (in foreground) discussed rubber-based alternatives for construction materials.
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