Mechanical Engineering Student Awarded Prestigious Scholarship

Santosh Narasimhachary, a doctoral student in the mechanical engineering department, has been awarded the ASTM International Graduate Scholarship for the 2011-12 academic year. ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, develops materials test standards that are recognized internationally.

The scholarship is awarded based on research and academic credentials and “rewards graduate students who have demonstrated high levels in interest in or involvement with ASTM International standards,” according to ASTM’s website.

Narasimhachary has been working with Ashok Saxena, dean of the College of Engineering, Distinguished Professor and holder of the Irma and Ray Giffels’ Chair in Engineering. They have been studying creep-fatigue interactions, which cause degradation in structural metals used at high temperatures. This type of degradation is the limiting factor in the design of steam and gas turbines in electricity-generating plants, aircraft engines and spacecraft.

Narasimhachary is also serving on the ASTM committee that is validating a test standard based on concepts proposed by Saxena’s research team for addressing creep-fatigue degradation in metals.

“Santosh was the one chosen for the scholarship from a field of 29 very qualified applicants from all over the United States,” said Saxena. “His Ph.D. research is addressing a major concern for the steam and gas turbine industry. We are indeed very proud of his accomplishment.”

Originally from India, Narasimhachary received his bachelor’s degree from Anna University in Madras and his master’s degree from Oklahoma State University.