Doctoral Students from the University of Arkansas and University of Southern California Are Awarded

ASTM International has announced that University of Arkansas student Santosh Narasimhachary and University of Southern California student Mark Blanchette are the recipients of the 2011 ASTM International Graduate Scholarship.

The ASTM Graduate Scholarship rewards graduate students (master’s or doctoral) who have demonstrated high levels of interest in or involvement with ASTM International standards.

A Ph.D. candidate in the department of mechanical engineering at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., Narasimhachary is conducting research on displacement controlled creep-fatigue crack growth test development using DEN specimens under the advisement of ASTM member Dr. Ashok Saxena, distinguished professor and dean of engineering at the university. He has been a research assistant in the Mechanical Properties Research Lab at the university since 2009, and before that worked as an R&D engineer at Wellman Products Group, a division of Hawk Corp., in Tulsa, Okla.

Narasimhachary, who earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., in 2007, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Anna University in Chennai, India, in 2005, is a student member of ASTM International and has made significant contributions to ASTM Committee E08 on Fatigue and Fracture. He is also a member of ASME International.

Blanchette is a Ph.D. candidate in the department of biokinesiology and physical therapy at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif.  His research focuses on biokinesiology and biomechanics, specifically the relation between footwear tread design and slip resistance, slip testing, tribometer validation and high-heeled gait.  He currently works as a forensics assistant at Semper Scientific Inc. in Mission Viejo, Calif., and as an independent contractor conducting biomechanical and materials testing at J2 Engineering in Fresno, Calif.

Blanchette earned a master’s degree in biokinesiology from the University of Southern California in 2007 and a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, R.I., in 2004. A student member of ASTM International and Committee F13 on Pedestrian/Walkway Safety and Footwear, Blanchette is also a member of the American Society of Biomechanics and the Footwear Biomechanics Group of the International Society of Biomechanics.

For more information about ASTM International’s student membership, scholarships and other academic activities, visit the Student and Professors section of the ASTM Web site (www.astm.org/studentmember).

ASTM PR Contact: Erin K. Brennan, Phone: 610-832-9602; ebrennan@astm.org 

Release #8902