ASM International Boston Chapter is announcing
the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS for 2023 - 2024
Chair: Dr. Hugues “H” Francois-Saint-Cyr

Dr. Hugues “H” Francois-Saint-Cyr focuses on Industrial Business Development Management in the Materials Science Division at Thermo Fisher Scientific. He spent 15 years as a Senior Scientist teaching and training groups worldwide on electron-, ion- and x-ray-based techniques. He earned a B.S in Chemistry and an M.S in Physics from France, a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the School of Optics in Orlando and finished his academic journey at the Medical School at Harvard.
From metallurgy to semiconductors, from fiber optics to LED materials, from glass-ceramics to geological sciences, or from biomineral to biomedical applications, H believes that when manufacturers and users work together, problematics are tackled more efficiently, and science ultimately wins.
As H refocuses on the US territory, he can now invest more time in local scientific communities, such as the ASM Boston local chapter, and mentor young materials engineers and scientists.
After correlative microscopy, reading, hiking and playing badminton are H’s other passions.
From metallurgy to semiconductors, from fiber optics to LED materials, from glass-ceramics to geological sciences, or from biomineral to biomedical applications, H believes that when manufacturers and users work together, problematics are tackled more efficiently, and science ultimately wins.
As H refocuses on the US territory, he can now invest more time in local scientific communities, such as the ASM Boston local chapter, and mentor young materials engineers and scientists.
After correlative microscopy, reading, hiking and playing badminton are H’s other passions.
Vice Chair: Dr. Ozan Ozdemir

Dr. Ozan Özdemir is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering of Northeastern University (NU), and he is an all-around expert with a decade of experience in Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) and a background in multiphase high velocity flows. He has heavily focused on the design and optimization of CS processes for material deposition efficiency, manufacturing rates, and product quality. Dr. Özdemir’s research is actively funded by the Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, and Industrial Partners. His research has yielded numerous publications with over 350 citations in CSAM related topics and has co-edited and co-authored the textbook “Practical Cold Spray” (2021). Furthermore, he teaches Additive Manufacturing and advises Capstone Design students at Northeastern University. Dr. Özdemir is also an active member of the scientific and engineering community and serves as a member of the Training Committee of the ASM International Thermal Spray Society and a member of the Executive Committee of ASM International Boston Chapter and serves as the current Secretary of ASM Boston.
Secretary: Emily Ghosh

Emily Ghosh is a current PhD Candidate at Boston University in Materials Science and Engineering focusing on materials characterization for reversible solid oxide cells (RSOCs) and is the current President of BU ASM Student Chapter. She obtained her Bachelors in Physics with a Minor in Astronomy in 2016 and Masters in Materials Science in 2019, both from Boston University.
During her time in academia, she focused on condensed matter experiment, undergraduate teaching, and was the co-founder and director of the BU Physics undergraduate mentorship program PRISM. She has held academic and industrial research positions at NETL (National Energy Technology Laboratory), CERN, and LBNL (Lawrence Berkeley National Lab) in materials development and characterization for renewable energy technologies including solid oxide fuel cells and thermophotovoltaics. Over the last several years, she has worked as a Propulsion Engineer at SpaceX focusing on metal additive and coating alloy development, failure analysis, and process improvements for rocket engine components of missions such as NASA Crew Falcon 9 flights to the ISS and upcoming Starship Lunar and Mars missions.
Emily would like to join the ASM Board as Secretary to help promote more discourse between academic and industrial research in the Boston materials research community, in particular via increased engagement with graduate students. ASM offers a strong network of professional researchers with experience across a variety of fields. Many graduate students would like to join industry post graduation but may have limited resources on available opportunities where their skillset could be used. Graduate students could not only benefit from joining the ASM network early on, but also add to discussions on ongoing professional research with insight from the university level that could benefit both academic and industrial research.
During her time in academia, she focused on condensed matter experiment, undergraduate teaching, and was the co-founder and director of the BU Physics undergraduate mentorship program PRISM. She has held academic and industrial research positions at NETL (National Energy Technology Laboratory), CERN, and LBNL (Lawrence Berkeley National Lab) in materials development and characterization for renewable energy technologies including solid oxide fuel cells and thermophotovoltaics. Over the last several years, she has worked as a Propulsion Engineer at SpaceX focusing on metal additive and coating alloy development, failure analysis, and process improvements for rocket engine components of missions such as NASA Crew Falcon 9 flights to the ISS and upcoming Starship Lunar and Mars missions.
Emily would like to join the ASM Board as Secretary to help promote more discourse between academic and industrial research in the Boston materials research community, in particular via increased engagement with graduate students. ASM offers a strong network of professional researchers with experience across a variety of fields. Many graduate students would like to join industry post graduation but may have limited resources on available opportunities where their skillset could be used. Graduate students could not only benefit from joining the ASM network early on, but also add to discussions on ongoing professional research with insight from the university level that could benefit both academic and industrial research.
Treasurer: Dr. Santosh Jha

Dr. Santosh K. Jha is currently the Director (R&D/Admin.) & Business Manager of Surmet Corp., an advanced specialty materials solution company, headquartered in Burlington, MA. Dr. Jha joined Surmet Corp. as a Materials Scientist in August 2002. Here, working with a group of scientists and engineers, he focused on the development of ALON and Spinel Optical Ceramics. His job responsibilities at Surmet include overseeing and managing multiple R&D programs sponsored by Surmet, the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies. In this capacity, Santosh has helped Surmet carry out R&D programs worth over $110 million.
Santosh has over 20 years of R&D experience and has published more than 45 research papers in the areas of high temperature materials such as titanium aluminides and thermal barrier coatings, optical ceramics, and specialty coatings. Prior to joining Surmet in August 2002, Santosh worked at the University of Central Florida, Orlando. With a Ph.D. from IIT Bombay, Santosh also had the privilege of working as a Visiting Scientist at the KFA, Juelich, Germany as recipient of the prestigious Indo-German DLR fellowship.
Santosh is an active member of the Boston Chapter and had the honor to serve as its Chair in 2007-2008. He also has served 7 terms as Treasurer and, as a testimonial to his excellence and tireless commitment to the Chapter, he hopes to serve for this 8th term.
Santosh has over 20 years of R&D experience and has published more than 45 research papers in the areas of high temperature materials such as titanium aluminides and thermal barrier coatings, optical ceramics, and specialty coatings. Prior to joining Surmet in August 2002, Santosh worked at the University of Central Florida, Orlando. With a Ph.D. from IIT Bombay, Santosh also had the privilege of working as a Visiting Scientist at the KFA, Juelich, Germany as recipient of the prestigious Indo-German DLR fellowship.
Santosh is an active member of the Boston Chapter and had the honor to serve as its Chair in 2007-2008. He also has served 7 terms as Treasurer and, as a testimonial to his excellence and tireless commitment to the Chapter, he hopes to serve for this 8th term.
NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
- HRISTO HRISTOV