Texas A&M University's Hong Liang Assumes the presidency of STLE

The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), the globally, renowned technical society serving professionals and organisations in the tribology and lubrication engineering sector, announced the appointment of Dr. Hong Liang as the President for the 2023-2024 term, commencing on May 23, 2023, at the recent STLE Annual Meeting in Long Beach, California.

Dr. Liang, the Oscar S. Wyatt Jr. Professor in the J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, will take on the role of STLE's principal executive officer and chair of its board of directors. Throughout her one-year tenure, Dr. Liang will head up a strategic plan that focuses on fostering technical innovation, promoting education, and advocating global advancement in tribology and lubrication. Dr. Liang aims to highlight the profound impact of tribology across a variety of applications.

Edward P. Salek, CAE, the Executive Director of STLE, expressed his delight about Dr. Liang's appointment, stating, " We are thrilled to welcome a recognised academic at the helm of tribology research as our 2023-2024 president. Liang’s longstanding dedication to tribology and notable contributions to the field will not only make a positive impact on STLE but will benefit our members in the years to come."

With her extensive involvement in STLE since 1989, Dr. Liang brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She previously served as a member of the STLE Board of Directors from 2007 to 2013, and in 2007, she assumed the position of STLE Annual Meeting Program Committee chair after nine years of committee service. Dr. Liang also held key positions such as Chair of STLE's Awards and Fellows Committees.

Joining Dr. Liang on the STLE executive committee for the 2023-2024 term are Vice President Jack McKenna (Sea-Land Chemical Company), Secretary Kevin Delaney (Vanderbilt Chemicals, LLC), Treasurer Steffen Bots, CLS, OMA (LUBESERV), Immediate Past President and Presidential Council Chair Ryan Evans, Ph.D. (The Timken Company), and STLE Executive Director Edward P. Salek.

Commenting on her new role, Dr. Liang highlighted the significance of tribological advancements for society's sustainability, economy, and standard of living. She shared her aspirations as STLE President, stating, “Tribological advancements are critical to our society’s sustainability, economy and standard of living. My goal as STLE president is to recognise the impacts of our society and the contributions of our members while addressing key issues affecting our field, including sustainability, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), diversity and more."

Currently serving as a professor at Texas A&M University, Dr. Liang's research focuses on both fundamental and application aspects of tribology. Her research group specialises in designing advanced tribomaterials and structures through nano-manufacturing techniques. Dr. Liang investigates the surface properties and interfacial interactions of these materials in various tribological applications, including chemical-mechanical polishing. Her research group has been extensively published within the tribology community.

Prior to her appointment at Texas A&M University, Dr. Liang held the position of Assistant Director of Research Partnerships at the Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where she also served as a 2018-2019 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Foundation Swanson Fellow.

Dr. Liang's contributions to the tribology community extend beyond her research. She has served as an Associate Editor for several peer-reviewed journals such as Tribology Transactions, Tribology International and Friction.