In October 2024, the University of California, San Diego, was proud to host the 39th Annual Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites (ASC) at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego, Calif. The event was co-chaired by UC San Diego’s own Associate Professor Mehran Tehrani and Professor Hyonny Kim, showcasing the university’s commitment to leading in the field of structural engineering and composites.
Significantly contributing to the organization of the conference were co-organizers from San Diego State University and the University of San Diego, including SDSU’s Assistant Professor Margherita Capriotti and Professor Satchi Venkataraman, as well as USD’s Assistant Professor Paulina Diaz-Montiel. Notably, both Professor Capriotti and Professor Diaz-Montiel are esteemed alumni of UC San Diego’s Department of Structural Engineering, highlighting the ongoing collaboration between local academic institutions. Additionally, Justin Massey, another UC San Diego structural engineering alumnus, currently with NAVAIR, played a key role in the event’s success as a co-chair of the US-Japan Conference, which was co-hosted with the ASC Conference.
This gathering not only reinforced the strong ties between these prominent educational institutions but also underscored the global leadership of UC San Diego and its partners in advancing composite materials research and applications. The event brought together over 400 participants from 18 countries and featured 280 technical presentations. Attendees—70% from academia and 30% from industry and government laboratories—took part in rich discussions and meaningful collaborations across sectors.
This year’s conference introduced several new and meaningful initiatives that highlight the community’s commitment to both technical excellence and inclusive growth. For the first time, the ASC conference featured a dedicated Women in ASC session, creating a much-needed platform to recognize, connect, and empower women in the field of composite materials. The session was well received and marked a promising step forward in promoting diversity and representation within the composites research community.
The conference also placed a strong emphasis on education. A special panel addressed the evolving needs of composite materials instruction and workforce development. In addition, Professor Kim offered a short course on composite bonding and repair, providing attendees with hands-on training and practical insights that complemented the technical discussions throughout the week.
The organizing committee successfully secured sponsorships from industry partners, the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Naval Research, underscoring the event’s significance and the strong support it received from both governmental and private sectors.
Reflecting on the conference’s success, Professor Tehrani shared: “ASC holds a special place in my heart, and many attendees are dear friends and mentors. I’m thrilled that after nearly two years of planning, we successfully hosted this gathering of composites professionals in the beautiful city of San Diego.”
The department congratulates Professors Kim and Tehrani for their exemplary leadership in organizing this impactful conference, showcasing cutting-edge research, and strengthening the global composites community.