May 19, 2011

Claudia Kropas-Hughes, Ph.D., deputy division chief, Air Force Material Command, Technology Transition Division, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, has received the ASTM International Award of Merit for her exemplary technical and administrative leadership and contributions to Committee E07 on Nondestructive Testing. The Award of Merit is the highest organizational recognition for individual contributions to ASTM standards activities.

A member of ASTM International since 1991, Kropas-Hughes currently serves as vice chairman of Committee E07 and chairs the subcommittees on Long Range Planning and Awards (E07.95 and E07.96).  She previously led Subcommittee E07.01 on Radiology (X and Gamma) Method as chairman for more than 10 years. The committee has recognized her contributions with the Charles W. Briggs Award and three E07 Certificates of Appreciation.

Kropas-Hughes has more than 25 years of experience in the nondestructive testing (NDT) field, primarily in X-ray-compound tomography (CT) and radiological digital methods. She has worked for the United States Air Force since 1989, holding various positions including nondestructive evaluation research leader, where she developed and implemented research strategies for new nondestructive techniques to benefit the Air Force; in-house direction leader for the analysis of process control data during new materials development; and engineering liaison, focusing on technology integration and transition to major commands.  In her current position, which she assumed in 2005, she provides policies and guidance for technology transition activities with the Air Force Material Command.

Kropas-Hughes received her Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and also holds an M.S. in electrical engineering from California State University, Sacramento; a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Dayton; and a B.S. in applied mathematics from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Outside ASTM International, Kropas-Hughes is a fellow of the American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) and currently serves on the ASNT board of directors. She is also a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Society of Women Engineers. 

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

Release #8875