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American Ceramic Society honors UND faculty member

ACS’s Fulrath Award recognizes Surojit Gupta, associate professor of mechanical engineering

Surojit Gupta, associate professor of mechanical engineering, will receive an international award for his materials science research at an upcoming conference in October. UND archival image.

Surojit Gupta, associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of North Dakota, will be recognized for his 2021 Richard M. Fulrath Award at the upcoming American Ceramic Society annual meeting.

The Fulrath Awards promote technical and personal friendships between professional Japanese and American ceramic engineers and scientists. The awards recognize individuals for their excellence in research and development of ceramic sciences and materials, the American Ceramic Society reports.

Awardees receive a certificate and a $2,500 award, including complimentary registration to attend the Society’s annual meeting.

Each year, five awards are given, but only one to an academic researcher based in the United States.

Gupta is honored to receive the award, he said.

“I would like to thank the College of Engineering & Mines and UND for supporting my endeavors,” Gupta said. “I would like to encourage students and early-career faculty members to connect with professional societies for career development and networking opportunities.

“Lastly, I would like to thank the American Ceramics Society for recognizing my research and collaboration with my international colleagues.”

The Society’s annual meeting will take place Oct. 9-13 at the 2022 Materials Science & Technology Exhibition in Pittsburgh. At the meeting, Gupta will give a lecture and be recognized for his work in materials science.

Travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to the postponement of the 2021 Fulrath Lecture sessions until the 2022 meeting.

In 2019, the American Ceramic Society selected Gupta for a Du-Co Ceramics Young Professional Award, which recognizes young professional members who demonstrate exceptional leadership and service. Gupta has served as chair of the Society’s Engineering Ceramics Division and is active in various professional organizations.

At UND, Gupta is an active researcher in sustainable materials, high temperature ceramics and alloys, nanotechnology, and additive and green manufacturing. He teaches fundamental and applied courses related to materials science and engineering and has received multiple distinctions from the University for his teaching and research.

In early 2020, Gupta presented his research, “Imagine Materials: Next Generation Functional Materials for Advanced Applications,” as part of UND’s Faculty Lecture Series.