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[September 2008]
Todd Osman Appointed New Executive Director At Materials Research Society
The Materials Research Society (Pittsburgh, PA, USA) has announced the appointment of Dr Todd Osman as its new Executive Director, effective 1 September 2008. He succeeds John Ballance who is retiring after 25 years of outstanding service and leadership.
The 2008 MRS President, Cynthia Volkert, speaking on behalf of the Search Committee and Board of Directors, stated: “We are very excited about Todd and the leadership role he will play in growing MRS. MRS has a culture and tradition of innovation and technical excellence and Todd has the vision, knowledge and drive to move MRS forward. The combination will be extremely powerful and beneficial to Materials Science and Engineering around the world”.
Dr Osman brings a strong record of technical accomplishment and leadership experience in both industrial and non-profit ventures to his new role at MRS. He was instrumental in the creation of The Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center, serving as a founding Board member, co-authoring the centre’s Technology Roadmap and chairing its Technical Advisory Group. As Technical Director for The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS), he developed initiatives in energy, environmental impact, and sustainability, directed educational efforts, coordinated web-based communities of practice, facilitated conference programming, initiated increased grant funding activities and established multidisciplinary programmes with other technical societies.
Prior to joining TMS, Dr Osman worked as a researcher and technical manager for the United States Steel Corporation, where he was responsible for research and development activities for coated steel products, won awards for his original research and was awarded a United States Patent. In addition, he coordinated cooperative R&D programmes with suppliers, customers and universities in Europe and Asia and led efforts related to federal trade legislation in the USA and Europe, including the drafting of policy responses and initiation of technical programmes.
Dr Osman emphasised the critical role of MRS: “The scientific community, and society as a whole, face many critical challenges. But, there is not consensus on a sustainable energy portfolio, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education initiatives need greater participation and Omnibus nearly derailed the America Competes Act. Now more than ever, the MRS mission to improve the global quality of life needs to be a rallying call.
“The MRS Bulletin energy roadmap issue, Strange Matter and our focused advocacy efforts provide a strong foundation as MRS continues to promote scientific and engineering responses to these challenges.”
www.mrs.org
ENDS