Metsoc Doctoral Scholarship Award
THE CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR IS OPEN for 2024. The deadline is February 12, 2024
The purpose of the MetSoc Doctoral Student Scholarship is to encourage and support the attainment of educational goals by doctoral students who have demonstrated a high level of research achievement at a Canadian university.
2024 Recipient
Ali Zakeri
McMaster University
Ali Zakeri is a Ph.D. candidate in Materials Science and Engineering at McMaster University, specializing in the decarbonization of the ironmaking process through hydrogen utilization. Under the supervision of Prof. Leili Tafaghodi and Prof. Ken Coley, Ali conducts his research within the Process Metallurgy Research Group. His research is centered on kinetic studies and microstructural evolution involved in the hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron ore.
Ali received his Master’s degree from Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran, Iran, where he focused on developing strengthened protective coatings and their applications in high temperatures. He has contributed to 16 peer-reviewed publications and presented his findings at more than 10 leading conferences and events, including the Best Student Poster at the Conference of Metallurgists (COM 2023). In 2023-2024, Ali was the recipient of the Yates Scholarship, the Angela Manolescu Memorial Scholarship, and the Dante Cosma Graduate Memorial Scholarship from McMaster University.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Ali is involved in organizing recruitment events and department activities at McMaster, with the intent to cultivate an interest in materials science among students. He also trains and guides undergraduate students during the spring and summer terms, enhancing their hands-on skills and technical knowledge in laboratory research. Additionally, Ali participates in the International Grad Navigator program, designed to support and create a welcoming environment for new graduate students.
Scholarship Terms
The value of the scholarship is a single payment of $4,000 CAD. The award recipient is also eligible for a $500 travel grant for the Annual Conference of Metallurgists to receive their award, so long as the distance is above 500KM. Only one award will be made to a given individual in the course of their Ph.D. program. No single individual should hold more than one scholarship award within MetSoc including its Technical sections in a given year. One Doctoral Student Scholarship shall be made each year. However, the Award Committee may decide not to make an award if a suitable recipient is not identified. The amount of the award is reviewed annually by the Board of Directors of MetSoc.
Eligibility
Full-time doctoral candidates in their second, third or fourth year of study who are pursuing degrees in metallurgy, materials engineering or related fields are eligible for a scholarship.
Recipient’s Obligation
The award shall be presented at the Conference of Metallurgists. At that time, the recipient may be requested to speak on a subject of major interest to him/her in the field of metallurgy.
Application packages must be submitted by the student using the online award system. Application packages are limited to the documents requested only. Additional documents will not be weighted into the score of the candidate.
Each application must include:
- One letter of recommendation from the faculty member addressing the selection criteria relative to the field of study in metallurgical or materials research. It should answer the question: “Why do you wish to single out this student for the award?” The letter should also indicate the expected completion date of the candidate’s degree program.
- A written letter by the student of why he/she meets the criteria of the award by describing the following:
- A brief Plan of Work including immediate research goals and career goals
- Their research and academic excellence and potential
- Their demonstrated impact and initiative
- Any community service and/or extra-curricular activities.
- A curriculum vitae for the student, listing publications and work experience, as well as the month and the year at which all university degrees were started or completed.
- A transcript
The adjudication of the award shall be made by the Awards Committee of The Metallurgy and Materials Society of CIM. In making its determination, the MetSoc Awards Committee will consider the research and academic excellence and/ or potential of the nominee and select based on demonstrated achievement and potential for significant contributions to the field. The Awards Committee will use a weighted numeric scale on these four criteria:
- Research excellence /potential
- Academic excellence
- Demonstrated impact and initiative
- Examples could include: organizing student events, serving on the executive of MetSoc student chapter, leading social media activities for department/team, member of the design team
- Community service/extra-curricular activities
The percentage of the scale will vary based on the type of scholarship with more emphasis on research for Doctoral.
Every year MetSoc honours three students in three different categories; Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral. The students receive the award at the Annual Conference of Metallurgists (COM). In addition to the awards, MetSoc also supports the students to attend the conference.
- Conference registration is free for the award recipients.
- Accommodation during the conference duration is provided to the recipients by MetSoc at one of the conference hotels.
- Travel costs are subsidized by MetSoc based on the student travel distance. In general, students travelling East-West will receive approximately $800 and those travelling within central Canada (Ontario/Quebec) will receive approximately $500. No travel receipts will be required as the amount will be paid as a stipend, not a reimbursement. Therefore, the student recipients can allocate this fund to travel costs or meal costs, at their discretion. However, the amount may vary as it depends on the yearly student travel budget and is at the discretion of the executive manager/student service chair.
- The student recipients will also receive a complimentary ticket for the award banquet.
The scholarship application program is closed for 2024.
