MetSoc Airey Award

2023 Recipient
Hani Henein
University of Alberta
Citation: In recognition of his leadership and innovation in the development and processing of materials.
Prof Henein is one of the leading Materials Scientists and Engineers in Canada and is widely recognized worldwide for his contributions in research, teaching and service. He joined the University of Alberta in 1989. His research areas include rapid solidification, additive manufacturing, pipeline steels, metal-matrix composites, thermophysical property determination and solidification under micro-gravity conditions. He partners with industry in research and has extensive international collaborations. He has made numerous seminal contributions in over 470 publications, one patent and several disclosure of inventions.
Innovative contributions in teaching and mentoring include the development of case studies for the Materials Process Engineering Design Course and the creation of an international work abroad program for undergraduates in several high quality engineering programs in Europe and Japan, placing over 100 students since 2002. In 2011, he formulated and oversees a Dual Degree MSc and in 2022 a Dual Degree PhD with the Université de Lorraine (a first for the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta).
Amongst the distinctions he received are five best paper awards, the prestigious Killam Research Fellowship, the Metals Chemistry Award and the MetSoc Award for Research Excellence. He has been inducted Fellow of ASM International (US), CIM, the Canadian Academy of Engineers, the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS, US) and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (UK). In service, Hani plays a leadership role in the profession as the 1998 MetSoc of CIM President, Past Editor-in-Chief of CMQ, the 2014 President of TMS and 2019 President of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers.
2022 – T. Warner | 2001 – M. Rigaud | 1980 – W.A. Gow |
2021 – Z. Xu | 2000 – J.G. Peacey | 1979 – W. Curlook |
2020 – J. Kapusta | 1999 – K.G. Thomas | 1978 – R.C. Bell |
2019 – D. Boyd | 1998 – B.O. Wasmund | 1977 – P.G. Thornhill |
2018 – S. Marcuson | 1997 – D.G.E. Kerfoot | 1976 – H.M. Wright |
2017 – M. Solar | 1996 – K.V. Konigsmann | 1975 – G.R. Heffernan |
2016 – H. McQueen | 1995 – M.M. Avedesian | 1974 – G. Savard and R. Lee |
2015 – C.Twigge-Molecey | 1994 – R.A. Bergman | 1973 – D.W. McLean |
2014 – M. Chalkley | 1993 – J.P. McGeer | 1972 – V.N. Mackiw |
2013 – R. Guthrie | 1992 – M.C. Bell | 1971 – R.W. Fraser |
2012 – P.J. Mackey | 1991 – G. Dube | 1970 – H.L. Ames |
2011 – E. Ozberk | 1990 – C.A. Sutherland | 1969 – J.G. Sibakin |
2010 – J. E. Dutrizac | 1989 – D.R. Weir | 1968 – J.H Walsh |
2009 – C. Fleming | 1988 – P. Tarassoff | 1967 – R.D. Hindson |
2008 – J. J. Jonas | 1987 – J.C. McKay | 1966 – J.M. Carter |
2007 – C. M. Diaz | 1986 – G.G. Hatch | 1965 – F.J. McMulkin |
2006 – J. Gruzleski | 1985 – M.D. Head | 1964 – L.S. Renzoni |
2005 – G. Bolton | 1984 – B.H. Morrison | 1963 – G.M. Young |
2004 – P. Duhaime | 1983 – T. Dancy |
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2003 – A. Grau | 1982 – H. Veltman |
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2002 – No Award | 1981 – T.R. Meadowcroft |
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The award nomination program is closed for 2023.
Criteria
The Airey Award should be seen as the most prestigious award for a MetSoc member in Canadian metallurgy and materials. Recognition of a career contribution or an outstanding individual contribution based on at least 15 years of input. The contributions and impact must be to the benefit of Canada.
Contribution to Canadian metallurgy and materials can include:
- Research and development leadership
- Research and development contribution
- Development of processes or products of significance
- Technological leadership
- Industrial leadership fostering a climate resulting in major technological development

All nominees must have a minimum of five years of CIM National membership and be in good standing. Membership is not required to be consecutive but the member has to have the current and previous year in good standing. Exceptions to this membership requirement may be made in the case where a candidate has a substantial historical record of contributions to MetSoc.
The nominator has 6 steps to complete. The documents can be uploaded to our online nomination system.
- Fill in the contribution box – a summary of why this person is being nominated (see item 3) with any information listed above that is not included in the CV.
- Fill in the citation – in 15 words this person is being recognized for.
- The CV should contain the items listed below. If the CV does not contain these items, consider adding them to the Contribution box and letter statement:
- Major contributions relevant to the award
- A record of at least five relevant patents and/or papers authored by the nominee plus a count of other patents and papers
- A service history related to CIM/MetSoc if applicable
- A record of the years of membership in CIM
- A listing of volunteer activities if applicable
- A listing of awards previously received
- A listing of academic achievements
- One written letter by the nominator on letterhead describing in full length why this candidate is nominated for the award.
- A minimum of 3 Endorsers (outside of company colleagues) – these endorsers simply must support with an online approval click, however, a supporting letter is also welcomed and encouraged.
- Airey Award: This award requires an additional letter of support by a peer in the field on letterhead for a total of 2 letters included in the nomination package. Additional weight and marks may be considered by the committee if additional written letters of peer support are added to the nomination package (Max 5 additional uploads will be allowed).
Contribution to Canadian metallurgy and materials can include:
- Research and development leadership
- Research and development contribution
- Development of processes or products of significance
- Technological leadership
- Industrial leadership fostering a climate resulting in major technological development
General Policies
- A nominator can put forward only one candidate up for nomination in each award category.
- No Member of the Executive Board shall be nominated for a MetSoc administered award while in office. The nomination will be held until the term on the executive board is expired.
- The nominators are responsible for verifying that all conditions of the award have been satisfied and all procedures were properly followed in making the nomination.
- All nominations will stand for three years.
- The adjudication of the award shall be made by the MetSoc Awards Committee of The Metallurgy and Materials Society of CIM.
- The award shall be presented at the Awards Banquet of the Conference of Metallurgists.
- Posthumous awards will be allowed only if the candidate has already been shortlisted.
- Self-nominations are not permitted.
- Each award shall be made from time to time as circumstances warrant with no more than one award recipient per year.
There is no cash prize for this award.