The February 2018 Issue of the ASM/IMS International Journal Metallography, Microstructure, and Analysis [Vol. 7 (2018) pp. 97-98] published in the column “Dialogue from Emerging Engineers” an interview with Ms. Marianna Katsivarda, a final year student of the School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). For more details please follow the link:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13632-018-0424-7

Ms. Marianna Katsivarda, after the completion of her internship at ELKEME, was offered to continue working (part –time) in the Metallography and Electron Optics lab -almost 2 years now- and has recently been assigned to elaborate a diploma thesis with the title “Homogenization study of as cast 6063 aluminum alloy billets and examination of the effect of cooling rate on the resulting microstructure”, under the supervision of Assistant Professor (at NTUA) Dr. S. Papaefthymiou as well as Dr. A. Vazdirvanidis, Head of ELKEME Metallography & Electron Optics Department.

This is an excellent example of the efforts made in the last years to promote the cooperation

between ELKEME and Academia which provides the opportunity to young engineers to develop their skills and broaden their knowledge and simultaneously bridge the gap between theoretical studies and applied industrial research which is considered as a major driving force for technological advancement.