CLEVELAND, Ohio (October 18, 2016) — TRI (The Refractories Institute) each year awards academic scholarships to exemplary students enrolled in college-level educational programs that relate to refractory sciences. In late September, at the organization’s committee meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, two award recipients were announced: Anna Mattione, from Missouri University of Science and Technology, and Sankalp Kota, from Drexel University.

TRI provides academic scholarships to qualified students enrolled in degree programs who have expressed interest in refractory manufacturing through their coursework or related activities. Scholarships are awarded to a limited number of students each year, based on academic merit and the recipients’ demonstrated experience and interest in the field of refractories. TRI’s scholarship committee reviews applications and select recipients.

Mattione received a B. S. in ceramic engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology in May of 2016. Her experience includes work as a ceramic engineering intern at Vesuvius, where she managed materials design projects, assisted with project testing and erosion resistance testing, and wrote and presented technical reports.

Kota received a B.S. in materials science and engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in 2014. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering at Drexel University, and is expected to complete his degree in 2018. His experience includes working as a research assistant at Drexel, which includes mentoring undergraduate students’ independent research projects and being responsible for lab management tasks. He previously worked as an intern at Vesuvius/Foseco and Argonne National Laboratory.

TRI scholarships consist of one-time grants of $5,000 per student. Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student in pursuit of an undergraduate or advanced degree in ceramic engineering, materials science or a similar discipline at a North American college or university.

For more information, visit refractoriesinstitute.org.