Metsoc Research Excellence Award
The MetSoc Research Excellence Award was established by the Aluminum Company of Canada Limited for “a highly significant contribution to the field of metallurgy”.
This award is supported by:


2023 Recipient
Priti Wanjara
National Research Council Canada
Citation: For innovations in advanced manufacturing, knowledge translation to industry, and mentoring/developing young professionals.
Dr. Priti Wanjara is Principal Researcher at the National Research Council of Canada. She obtained her B. Eng. and Ph.D. from McGill University in Materials Engineering. Priti is recognized internationally as a leading material scientist in advanced manufacturing technologies, specializing in developing welding process design and additive manufacturing solutions for aerospace, automotive and power generation industries. She is the author of 250 refereed articles and 140 technical reports. She currently serves on the Neutrons Canada Board and the Scientific Advisory Committee of the NSERC network for Holistic Innovation in Additive Manufacturing. Within CIM, Priti is a contributing member for 30 years. She is a Past President of the Metallurgical Society and an elected Fellow of CIM, ASM International, Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute, Canadian Welding Bureau, and the Canadian Academy of Engineering. Her prestigious recognitions from the Metallurgical Society of CIM include the Brimacombe Award, Silver Medal and Distinguished Scientist Award. This year, she also received the CIM Distinguished Lecturer Award.
2022 – M. Isac | 2003 – G. Kaiura | 1984 – C.R. Masson |
2021 – B. Davis | 2002 – J.A. Szpunar | 1983 – W.- K. Lu |
2020 – V. Papangelakis | 2001 – T.T. Chen | 1982 – E. Peters |
2019 – H. Henein | 2000 – H. McQueen | 1981 – W.G. Davenport |
2018 – not attributed | 1999 – E. Krause | 1980 – F. Weinberg |
2017 – G.P. Demopoulos | 1998 – R. Meadowcroft | 1979 – J.M. Toguri |
2016 – Z. Xu | 1997 – N.J. Themelis | 1978 – H. Ross |
2015 – D. Chen | 1996 – J.A. Finch | 1977 – A. Hone |
2014 – M. Sahoo | 1995 – G.C. Weatherly | 1976 – W.M. Williams |
2013 – C. Ravindran | 1994 – J.E. Dutrizac | 1975 – K.W. Downes |
2012 – David S. Wilkinson | 1993 – E.B. Hawbolt | 1974 – W.M. Armstrong |
2011 – Gary R. Purdy | 1992 – J.E. Gruzleski | 1973 – J. Leja |
2010 – Mahesh Chaturvedi | 1991 – A. McLean | 1972 – J. Convey |
2009 – A. Plumtree | 1990 – J.J. Jonas | 1971 – C.S. Samis |
2008 – R. Berezowsky | 1989 – E.W. Dewing | 1970 – W.H. Gauvin |
2007 – G. A. Irons | 1988 – J.K. Brimacombe | 1969 – F.A. Forward |
2006 – E. Ozberk | 1987 – R.I.L. Guthrie | 1968 – J.S.G. Kirkaldy |
2005 – D. Dreisinger | 1986 – S.N. Flengas | 1967 – W.C. Winegard |
2004 – J. Laskowski | 1985 – G.M. Ritcey | 1966 – L.M. Pidgeon, M.B.E. |
Criteria
The MetSoc Award is the premier award for contribution to the metallurgy or materials field by a MetSoc member academic or research scientist in any Canadian research laboratory or Canadian university. The award recognizes a lifetime contribution in teaching and research or outstanding individual work resulting in a significant breakthrough in the metallurgy or materials practices.
There is no cash prize for this award.

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 contributions and impact must be to the benefit of Canada.
The award nomination program is closed for 2023.
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.
- Research Excellence 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).
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.
- Each award shall be made from time to time as circumstances warrant with no more than one award recipient per year.
- 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.