ASNT Newsroom

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announces the recipients of the 2022 Engineering Undergraduate Scholarship. The Engineering Undergraduate Scholarship is a cash award, currently $3,000 per award, that incentivizes undergraduate students in US universities and colleges with recognized engineering programs to choose NDT/NDE as their field of specialization. 

Engineering Undergraduate Scholarships were presented to: 

Ryland Close – University of Utah 

Daniel Johnson – Georgia Institute of Technology 

Madison Pixler – University of Notre Dame 

“ASNT is committed to providing financial assistance to engineering majors as these scholarships provide a pathway for students to pursue a career in NDT/NDE,” said Neal J. Couture, CAE, ASNT Executive Director. “We are pleased to recognize and support the academic development of these young engineers.” 

About ASNT 

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations.

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announces the recipients of two Faculty Grant award recognitions. The award encourages faculty members from engineering or science programs of United States universities and colleges to revise their existing courses or develop new courses to teach nondestructive testing/evaluation (NDT/NDE) by providing a financial grant.

Faculty Grants were awarded to Karen Johnson, PhD, and Esmeralda Vataj, PhD. 

Dr. Johnson is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator in the Aviation Technologies program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the Secretary/Treasurer and journal editor of the Aviation Technician Education Council. Dr. Johnson's undergraduate degree is in aviation maintenance technologies, and her graduate degrees are in curriculum and instruction with a focus on learning systems design and technology. Before working in academia, Dr. Johnson was a base mechanic on Bell 206-L1 helicopters for Air Evac Lifeteam, a provider of helicopter air ambulance services.  

Dr. Vatajis Director of First Year Physics in the Department of Physics at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). She develops, coordinates, and manages all aspects of the freshman curriculum and has developed and taught undergraduate and graduate courses on NDT. Before joining NJIT, Dr. Vataj worked as a researcher/lecturer at the Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, University of Tirana (Albania), where she participated in regional and national NDT projects. Dr. Vataj obtained her doctorate in physics from the University of Tirana. 

“ASNT is focused on advancing the body of knowledge and practice of NDT,” said Neal J. Couture, CAE, ASNT Executive Director. “These faculty grants support the excellent work of Drs. Johnson and Vataj as they work to advance NDT education by enabling the implementation of innovative NDT courses.”

About ASNT

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations.

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announces the recipients of the 2022 Fellowship Award. The Fellowship Award provides financial support to US academic institutions for high-quality research activities in science and technology at the graduate level in the form of a $20 000 award.

Fellowship Awards were presented to:

Georgia Southern University

Faculty member Hossein Taheri, PhD, and student Nathan Widem for their proposal, “Resonance-Based NDE and Material Properties Correlation Quantification for NDE 4.0 Applications.”

Michigan State University

Faculty member Mahmoodul Haq, PhD, and student Shashank Sisodia for their proposal, “In-situ Curing Process Monitoring in Polymers Using Portable Ultrasound Sensor.” 

New York University

Faculty member Nikhil Gupta, PhD, and student Youssef AbouelNour for their proposal, “In-Process Non-destructive Testing and Evaluation for Defect Detection in Additive Manufacturing.”

Pennsylvania State University

Faculty member Christopher M. Kube, PhD, and student Anubhav Roy for their proposal, “Improved Modelling of Ultrasonic Propagation for Non-destructive Characterization of Complex Materials.”

University of Maryland

Faculty member Weidong Zhu, PhD, and student Linfeng Lyu for their proposal, “Vibration Monitoring of Rotating Wind Turbine Blades Using Novel Image-based Tracking Continuous Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometry.”

“We are proud to support the work of these outstanding scholars,” said Neal J. Couture, CAE, ASNT Executive Director. “This year’s recipients are making valuable contributions to the NDT field. We are impressed by what they are doing and excited about the great things they’ll accomplish throughout their research and careers.”

About ASNT

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations.

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announces the recipients of the Research Recognition for Innovation and Research Recognition for Sustained Excellence.   

Research Recognition for Innovation  

The Research Recognition for Innovation is awarded to Megan McGovern, PhD for highly distinguished individual breakthroughs in research in the field of nondestructive testing/evaluation (NDT/E) within the past five years. McGovern is a senior researcher in the Manufacturing Systems Research Lab at General Motors (GM) Global Research and Development. She joined GM in 2016, where she uses her NDE skill set to provide manufacturing solutions to internal customers. She leads research projects to develop manufacturing inspection systems that are crucial for first-time quality, especially in low-volume applications where launches are quick and highly customized. McGovern received her bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in systems engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research interests include in-line and post-manufacturing inspection solutions; NDE of materials, components, and structures; digital signal and image processing; process monitoring; and prognosis of materials and components. She uses several NDT methods and techniques, including UT, IR, X-ray DR/CT, and laser UT. 

Research Recognition for Sustained Excellence  

The Research Recognition for Sustained Excellence is presented to an ASNT member for outstanding sustained contributions in NDT/NDE research by a single individual. This year’s winner is Steven Shepard, PhD. Shepard is president of Thermal Wave Imaging (TWI) Inc. in Madison Heights, Michigan. Shepard earned his PhD in physics from Wayne State University. He founded TWI in 1992 and has since played a leading role in making thermography a mainstream NDT method used by companies and institutions worldwide. Shepard has received more than 20 patents in the field of thermographic NDT and is the inventor of the thermographic signal reconstruction (TSR) method. TWI is widely known for its turnkey solutions to both military and civilian segments of the aerospace, power generation, and automotive industries. 

“ASNT is committed to recognizing high-quality NDT/NDE research in areas that are critically shaping the industry, and these recognitions bring attention to the accomplishments of those conducting NDT/NDE research,” said ASNT Executive Director Neal J. Couture, CAE. “Congratulations Dr. McGovern and Mr. Shepard, and thank you for your dedication and contributions to the field of NDT/NDE.“ 

About ASNT 

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations. 

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announces William Prosser, PhD, as the recipient of the Ward Rummel Engineering Excellence Award. This award is named in honor of Ward D. Rummel for his pioneering work in nondestructive testing (NDT) engineering, the creation of the ASNT Engineering Council, and for inspiring engineering concepts. The award recognizes outstanding sustained contributions in NDT engineering by a single individual.  

Prosser joined NASA in 1987 as an aerospace technologist in the NDE Sciences Branch. In 2005, he was selected as discipline expert for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and in 2007 was named a NASA Technical Fellow. Prosser's research has been in the field of UT and AE sensing techniques. His work contributed to the successful development and implementation of a system to detect impacts on the Space Shuttle wing leading edge in response to the Columbia accident. He has led NASA, industry, university, and government agency teams to implement NDE and structural health management systems for a variety of NASA programs, including the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, X-33, and Aerospace Vehicle Systems Technology Program.  

Prosser was the 1997 recipient of the NASA Floyd Thompson Fellowship, a 2003 recipient of a NASA Superior Accomplishment Award for efforts during the Columbia accident investigation, and a 2005 recipient of NASA's Exceptional Achievement Medal. He is a Fellow of the Acoustic Emission Working Group and is also the scientific editor of Structural Health Monitoring: An International Journal. Prosser received his BS from William and Mary and his MS and PhD from Johns Hopkins University. He has been a member of ASNT since 1996. 

“Dr. Prosser has made so many significant engineering contributions to the aerospace industry driving innovation and providing inventive solutions to complex challenges,” said ASNT Executive Director Neal J. Couture, CAE. “He is most deserving of this award.” 

About ASNT 

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations.

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announced that it received two APEX Awards of Excellence in two categories from Communications Concepts, an organization that advises publishing and marketing professionals on best practices to improve their publications and communications programs. 

APEX is the Annual Awards for Publication Excellence Competition. It is open to communicators in corporate, nonprofit, and independent settings. APEX 2022 is the 34th annual APEX, which began in 1988. The APEX Awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content, and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. Of more than 1200 entries in APEX 2022, a total of 100 Grand Awards were presented in 14 major categories.

Neal J. Couture, CAE, Jill Ross, and Cara Markland won an Award of Excellence for “An Existential Crisis for NDT” in the Editorial and Advocacy Writing category. The article appeared in the December 2021 issue of Materials Evaluation. Debbie Segor, CAE, and Haley Cowans also won an Award of Excellence for Chat NDT with ASNT in the Electronic Media – Apps and Podcasts category.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by APEX,” said ASNT Executive Director Neal J. Couture, CAE. “I am extremely proud of our entire team for the work they create. These awards are a testament to their hard work and dedication to promoting the nondestructive testing industry.”

About ASNT

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations.

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announced that it was recognized at the 42nd Annual EXCEL Awards—the largest and most prestigious program recognizing excellence and leadership in association media, publishing, marketing, and communication. Each year, the EXCEL Awards recognize the journalistic efforts and publishing produced by associations and industry. The awards competition, which is open to nonprofit and for-profit associations, presented 220 awards across 83 categories.

ASNT took home the Silver in the Onsite Convention Daily category for ASNT Daily, led by Director of Publications Jill Ross, with contributors Cara Markland, Haley Cowans, and Cynthia (Cindi) Leeman, and designed by Synthia Jester. ASNT also won Silver in the Brochure category for the ASNT One Sheets, written by Debbie Segor, CAE, and edited by Cara Markland.

“It is an honor to be recognized by our peers in the association publishing field, and we are thrilled to receive these recognitions for the excellent journalistic efforts of our staff,” said ASNT Executive Director Neal J. Couture, CAE. 

About ASNT

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations.

The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) has awarded the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) the prestigious Accredited Provider accreditation. With IACET accreditation, ASNT joins the exclusive ranks of elite continuing education providers who meet the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. The accreditation period extends for five years and includes select programs offered or created during that time.

“IACET accreditation means that ASNT can ensure quality learning programs, from webinars to e-courses, conference seminars to Refresher courses, based on ASNT's compliance with strict policy and procedure guidelines,” said ASNT Executive Director Neal J. Couture, CAE. “Our accreditation with IACET demonstrates our commitment to quality learning experiences and high standards for all our programs. We are very pleased to join such a prestigious organization and an elite group of organizations that offer excellent continuing education and training programs.”

To achieve Accredited Provider accreditation, ASNT completed a rigorous application process and successfully demonstrated adherence to the ANSI/IACET 2018-1 Standard for Continuing Education and Training by addressing the design, development, administration, and evaluation of its programs. ASNT has pledged its continued compliance with the standard and is recognized as offering the highest quality continuing education and training programs.

“As an accrediting and certifying organization, ASNT understands the importance of being held up to the highest standards in everything we do. Part of ASNT’s new five-year strategic plan is to greatly expand professional development offerings,” said Barry Schieferstein, ASNT Learning and Events Director. “We felt that earning the IACET accreditation would keep us on track to do this in a way that is the highest quality and recognized around the world.”

“Overall, the IACET accreditation process was very intensive, comprehensive, and rigorous,” said Bob Conklin, ASNT Educational Materials Developer. “By passing the final interview, ASNT’s Learning and Events Department can rest assured that we are on the right track for planning, developing, implementing, and delivering a range of quality events and courses of value to the NDT community.”

“We are pleased to recognize and celebrate the achievement of ASNT as an Accredited Provider,” stated Casandra Blassingame, CEO of IACET. Blassingame added, “ASNT proudly joins nearly 500 organizations around the globe that have matriculated through a rigorous peer-reviewed process by experts in continuing education.”

About ASNT

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations.

About IACET

The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) is a nonprofit association dedicated to quality continuing education and training programs. IACET is the only standard-setting organization approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for continuing education and training. The ANSI/IACET 2018-1 Standard for Continuing Education and Training is the core of thousands of educational programs worldwide.

The ASNT Industry Sector Qualification – Oil & Gas (ISQ – O&G) program is one of many programs that ASNT provides to demonstrate technician capabilities and competency to the NDT industry. As part of the ISQ program, ASNT has compiled feedback on gaps identified from exam pass/fail results and reporting. The document—ISQ Industry Feedback and Gap Analysis—highlights observations and recommendations based on statistical data from all exams since the exam rollout in 2019.

This is the first industry qualification exam analysis provided to the industry. The intent is to focus ultrasonic testing (UT) trainers and service providers on identifying gaps in the training of UT technicians and helping improve the quality of NDT. To learn more about the ISQ program, visit asnt.org/ISQ.

About ASNT Certification Services LLC

ASNT Certification Services LLC was established to manage and operate the certification and accreditation programs of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT). With more than 33,000 certifications issued to NDT professionals worldwide, ASNT Certification Services currently administers four certification programs: ASNT NDT Level III, ASNT NDT Level II, ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP), and Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Personnel (IRRSP), and manages the Employer-Based Certification (EBC) Audit Program and the Industry Sector Qualification – Oil & Gas (ISQ – O&G) program.

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announces the recipients of the ASNT Mentoring Award. Three recipients have been honored with the award, which recognizes individuals or organizations/groups in the Society who have shown consistent, outstanding efforts in fostering the careers of nondestructive testing (NDT) colleagues and who have set an example to foster a culture of mentoring within the Society. 

“Being a great mentor requires both skills and passion,” said ASNT Executive Director Neal J. Couture, CAE. “Mentoring is so important to the NDT field, and this year’s award winners exemplify a high caliber of support and commitment to their mentees and to future generations of NDT professionals.” 

Honored for their skill and dedication to supporting others in the field of nondestructive testing (NDT), the ASNT Mentoring award recipients are: 

1. Thomas N. Claytor

Thomas N. Claytor worked at Argonne National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory as a researcher in materials characterization and instrumentation development for NDE applications for 35 years. He is a lifetime member of ASNT and secretary of the Los Alamos Section of ASNT. He has published over 80 reports and five patents, as well as given papers at many conferences. He has mentored 34 graduate and undergraduate students and sponsored PhD research at three major universities. Claytor received mentoring commendations from both Siemens and NASA (2005 and 2007).

2. Nat Y. Faransso

Nat Y. Faransso is an ASNT NDT Level III and ACCP Level III in RT, MT, PT, UT, and VT, and is a CWI. He is an ASNT Past President (2002–2003), served on the ASNT Board (1996–2004), and served as Chair of the Board (2003–2004). Faransso is an ASNT Fellow (class of 1997) and ASME fellow. He has been a member of ASME Section V on NDE and all its subcommittees for more than 30 years. He is a member of ASTM Committee E07 and its NDE subcommittees. He is a recipient of various awards from ASNT, including the Lester/Mehl Honor Lecture (2014), and ASME. He has given multiple presentations at national and international conferences, published multiple articles in ASNT publications, and is an active participant in numerous ASNT publications.

3. Gregory A. Garcia

Gregory A. Garcia is an NDT Level III Engineer-Program Coordinator for EVRAZ North America in Pueblo, Colorado. Garcia is an ASNT NDT Level III in ET, MT, and UT and an ASNT Fellow. He is an ASNT Fellow (class of 2011) and is chair of the Engineering Council and of the Accreditation Committee. His other ASNT involvement includes serving on the Research Council, the Reliability Committee, as an active mentor for the ASNT mentoring program, and as a reviewer for Materials Evaluation and other ASNT publications. Garcia has also served as Director at Large (2016–2019) and is a Regional Director for Region 14. Garcia is a US Marine Corps veteran and has authored/co-authored over 50 publications. He is an active member of ASNT and AREMA Committee 4-Rail, where he is the vice chair of Committee 4, Subcommittee 8 Nondestructive Inspection of Rail. He volunteers as an advocate for the Youth Offender System and is the lead martial arts instructor for the Boys and Girls Club of Pueblo County.

About ASNT

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations.