NRC scientist named ASTM International chairman

W. Conshohocken, PA – Ralph M. Paroli, Ph.D., of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), has started his term as 2016 chairman of the ASTM International board of directors.

ASTM’s board is made up of 25 leaders from an array of companies, associations and government bodies worldwide. In addition to NRC, this includes Dow Corning Co., Johnson & Johnson, BP America, the Standardization Organization of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and many others. Several members are based outside the United States.

“I am honoured and humbled to have this opportunity to serve as chairman for 2016,” said Dr. Paroli. “As a citizen of Canada and France, I know first-hand that ASTM’s thriving international membership – and its overall leadership – have never been more crucial to helping our world work better.”

Since 2013, he has served as a research and development director in Measurement Science and Standards at NRC. Prior to that, he was director of Building Envelope and Structure at NRC’s Institute for Research in Construction. He has more than 30 years of experience in spectroscopy and thermal analysis, including over 20 years of experience related to roofing. He has worked with many committees worldwide to develop new techniques to characterize roofing materials and systems.

An ASTM member since 1994, Dr. Paroli has served on its board since 2011. He is a past chair of Committee D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing, and a member of D11 on Rubber and E60 on Sustainability. He also served a term on the ASTM Committee on Standards, the body that reviews and approves all technical committee recommendations for actions on standards.

Dr. Paroli holds a B.Sc. in analytical chemistry from the University of Concordia, and a Ph.D. in physical and inorganic chemistry from McGill University.