Exclusive interview with Dr. Olanrewaju Ojo and Guozhen Zhu, the chair & co-chair of the 34th Canadian Materials Science Conference

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Olanrewaju (Lanre) Ojo and Guozhen Zhu, the Chair and Co-Chair of The 34th Canadian Materials Science Conference. Dr. Ojo is a renowned researcher and professor in the field of materials science, with a wealth of experience in developing advanced materials for various applications.

Guozhen Zhu is also a highly accomplished professor and materials scientist with expertise in synthesizing and characterizing functional nanomaterials. Together, they provided valuable insights into the state of materials science research in Canada, as well as the upcoming conference and the exciting developments in the field. You can read on to learn more about their perspectives on materials science, research, and innovation.

Can you share a little about yourselves and how you both got involved with the 34th Canadian Materials Science Conference this year

[Guozhen]: Since 2017, I have become an assistant professor and Tier II Canada Research Chair in the mechanical and functional design of nanostructured materials at the University of Manitoba . Before this role, I served as a research professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China from 2014 to 2017, after completing my Master's and Ph.D. studies at 加拿大麦克马斯特大学 . During my Master's program, I had the opportunity to present my research on the deformation of Al alloys at the CMSC 2009 conference at Queen's University in Kingston. I am honoured to serve as the co-chair of the 34th CMSC.

[Lanre]: I graduated with a First-Class Honors BSc degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, in 1997, and I obtained my MSc and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Manitoba in 2002 and 2005, respectively, with a prestigious award of the University of Manitoba Distinguished Ph.D. Dissertation Award for ground-breaking novel academic contributions. I received the famous NSERC post-doctoral research fellowship and worked as a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Manitoba and Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal in 2005. In January 2006, I started as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba and was promoted to Associate Professor and Full Professor in 2009 and 2013, respectively.

I am presently the Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In January 2022, Professor Bradley Diak of Queen's University, who was the Chair of the 2021 CMSC, contacted me and asked if the University of Manitoba could host the 2023 CMSC. After consulting with my colleagues, we agreed to host the conference. Aside from the various academic benefits, the conference attendees would have the opportunity to explore Winnipeg, the "Prairie Capital" and the first incorporated city in Western Canada, where the first Canadian Football League (CFL) game was played 1958.

What are some of the most exciting aspects of CMSC that you are looking forward to this year?

[Guozhen]: The CMSC is committed to supporting and encouraging the research and development of graduate students. This year, we will bring together renowned speakers to share their research insights, provide valuable presentations and networking opportunities, and offer a special rebate on registration fees for students. In addition, we are working on two short courses aimed at introducing the latest techniques, such as synchrotron techniques (sponsored by Canada Light Sources, and in-situ nanoindentation techniques (including hands-on demonstrations, sponsored by Bruker Corp. and Manitoba Institute for Materials). Furthermore, we are working with MSC-SMC central student chapter to create opportunities for students to expand their networks and engage with both academia and industry.?

[Lanre]: I look forward to meeting students and colleagues from across Canada and listening to them present their latest research findings in various aspects of materials science and engineering, including advanced and additive manufacturing, physical metallurgy, characterization, biomaterials, and functional materials. I am also excited to listen to various major presentations from invited keynote speakers on the latest advancements and future trends in the field.

What will attendees take away from this year's conference experience?

[Guozhen]: The attendees will likely take away a wealth of knowledge and insights about the covered research topics and may come out of the conference with new ideas and perspectives. The CMSC is always a fantastic platform for graduate students to enhance their learning, development, and success. As a student attendee and regular attendee in the past, I had opportunities to network with renowned experts, learn the latest research, and engage in discussion with my peers. We are working to continue our tradition that our attendees will have the opportunities to share their research experiences and accomplishments, can address their concerns, receive valuable suggestions, and, more importantly, establish productive collaborations and relationships.?

[Lanre]: The attendees would gain many valuable insights and experiences from the conference, including up-to-date information on the latest developments in materials science due to the unique opportunity to hear from various researchers and leading experts in the field on a wide range of materials science topics. They will have the privilege of meeting a diverse group of individuals from academia, industry, and government, providing an excellent opportunity to network, exchange ideas and establish new professional relationships and collaborations.???

How did you both become interested in materials science, and what drives your passion for the field?

[Guozhen]: When I was deciding on my major for undergraduate studies, I excelled in math, physics, and chemistry and ultimately chose to study Materials Science, an interdisciplinary field. As I learned more about materials science, I became fascinated with the development of advanced materials and their crucial role in shaping our civilization. Fueled by my curiosity about the design of advanced materials and the tuning of their structures to meet specific goals, I focused my research on structure characterization and the structure-properties relationship of materials.???

[Lanre]: Materials fundamentally drive our society. Practically, there cannot be technological advancement and its associated societal benefits without commensurate materials development. Materials Science and engineering provide many opportunities for a creative and innovative approach to problem-solving and to develop and implement new ideas and solutions that improve products, increase efficiency, and provide a better quality of life. These attributes attracted my interest and drives my passion for the field. I like to think, explore, and solve problems.?

When you're not working on CMSC, what fun activities or sights would you recommend to attendees in Manitoba?

[Guozhen]: I recommend checking out the following options for fun activities: (a). the Journey to Churchill at the Assiniboine Park Zoo, where you can see polar bears swim and play in the water through Sea Ice Passage underwater viewing tunnels; (b). the Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, offering an interactive experience that showcases the lives of 19th-century residents, including the first Nation peoples and the Hudson’s Bay Company fur trapper; (c) the Canadian Museum for Human Rights; (d) Royal Canadian Mint, where you can learn about coin production in Canada; (e) the natural wonders such as Grand beach, Winnipeg Beach, Gimli, and Twin Lakes Beach.?

[Lanre]: I strongly recommend the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. This is the world's first museum to explore human rights and features interactive exhibits, galleries, and educational programs. In addition, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra offers a variety of classical and contemporary music performances featuring talented musicians and conductors from around the world. The Winnipeg Art Gallery also showcases a diverse collection of modern and historical art, including works by famous Canadian artists.

The 34th Canadian Materials Science Conference promises to be a remarkable event for both students and professionals in the field. For more information on abstract submission and conference registration, please visit the conference website at https://www.cmscconf.org/