GOLDEN, Colo., Sept. 11, 2015 – After a competitive international search, Colorado School of Mines Professor Stephen Liu has been appointed the American Bureau of Shipping Endowed Chair in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering.

The nonprofit ABS, which sets standards for the design, construction, and survey of vessels in service, established the endowed faculty chair in March 2014. Liu, a professor in the George S. Ansell Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, served as interim chair until his permanent appointment.

Christopher J. Wiernicki, chairman, president and CEO of ABS, congratulated Liu on his selection. He said ABS has supported education for more than 80 years, “and we believe in working closely with academia and industry to drive innovation and help develop the technology that is crucial to the future of our industry.”

Liu, who earned his PhD in Metallurgical Engineering from Mines, has taught at Mines for nearly three decades and also serves as director of the Center for Welding, Joining, and Coatings Research (CWJCR). He recently added the Halil Kaya Gedik Award from the International Institute of Welding to his numerous honors. He also received the Jaeger Lecturer Award from the IIW in 2014.

Liu is a Fellow of the American Welding Society, ASM International, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He served as chair of the ASME’s Offshore, Ocean, and Arctic Engineering Division for four terms. In 2015, he was named Fulbright Foreign Scholar Distinguished Chair for Oil and Gas Science and Engineering in Brazil.

His expertise in many fields relevant to the marine industry – which encompasses ships, offshore facilities, and more – made Liu a clear choice for the post. He has experience in marine materials, manufacturing, fabrication, corrosion, welding, joining, forging, and casting, among other areas.

Michael Kaufman, dean of the College of Applied Science and Engineering, noted Liu’s long-standing relationship with ABS, having co-organized and conducted workshops on topics such as underwater welding and corrosion control. Liu has also directed cooperative research programs supported by ABS.

“We have been working with ABS for quite some time,” Liu said. “I plan to collaborate even more closely with ABS.” Liu also hopes to serve as a conduit between Mines graduates and ABS in terms of recruitment and scholarships.

“Dr. Liu is a perfect fit for this chair and I wish him great success in his new position, which is of critical importance to ABS and the marine industry,” Kaufman said.

With the cost and complexity of marine facilities, and many of them nearing the end of their design life, there are plenty of challenges and opportunities for those working in the field today, Liu said.

“ABS, together with our university partners such as Colorado School of Mines, bridges the gap between research and application, to develop sustainable solutions that support our mission to promote the security of life and property and to preserve the marine environment for future generations while advancing the industry,” Wiernicki said.

“This position provides a new direction for our already strong physical metallurgy program at Mines,” said Ivar Reimanis, professor and interim head of the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering.

“We expect that the ABS-Mines relationship will grow significantly in the coming year.”

Contact:
Mark Ramirez, Information Specialist, College of Applied Science & Engineering | 303-384-2622 | [email protected]
Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations, Colorado School of Mines | 303-273-3541 | [email protected]