[Image above] 2025 Distinguished Life Members: John E. Marra and Subhash H. Risbud. Credit: ACerS
Westerville, OH—The American Ceramic Society will award the honor of Distinguished Life Member to John E. Marra and Subhash H. Risbud. The Distinguished Life Member Award is the Society’s highest honor accorded to members of the scientific and technical organization and recognizes eminent contributions to the ceramic and glass profession.
“This year’s two recipients exemplify the spirit of this recognition through their long-lasting contributions to ceramic science and technology, their commitment to mentoring the next generation, and their outstanding leadership within the Society. It is a privilege for me to acknowledge their extraordinary impact,” says Monica Ferraris, ACerS president.
The awards will be presented at the Society’s Annual Honor and Awards banquet, Sept. 29, 2025, during ACerS Annual Meeting at the Materials Science and Technology Conference, September 28–October 1 in Columbus, Ohio.
John E. Marra
John E. Marra served most recently as chief technology officer in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management. He received his B.S. degree in ceramic engineering and B.A. degree in chemistry from Alfred University, later earning his Ph.D. in ceramic engineering from The Ohio State University. In 1987, he began his career as a research chemist and senior engineer at Westinghouse Savannah River Company (WSRC).
Marra is known for his positive impact in the nuclear waste management sector in the U.S., later moving on to two associate laboratory directorships in Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), first in environmental and chemical process technology and then in science and technology as well as chief research officer. In 2015, he served as chief engineer at the Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management. Throughout his career, he has advocated for nuclear power and environmental management and even supported Clemson University students with internships.
Marra has been an ACerS member for 45 years and is an ACerS Fellow. He was a dedicated member of the Nuclear & Environmental Technology Division—now part of the Energy Materials and Systems Division—and led the Society as ACerS president from 2004–2005. Marra has been recognized with the D. T. Rankin award from the Energy Materials and Systems Division. He is also the recipient of five president’s awards from WSRC and SRNL and was named Laboratory Fellow of SRNL in 2013. He is credited with the development of the ACerS 2005–2010 strategic plan, which resulted in the collaborative MS&T conference and the creation of Material Advantage. He belongs to the ACerS Energy Materials and Systems Division.
Subhash H. Risbud
Subhash H. Risbud is Distinguished Professor, Emeritus in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Davis. He received his BTech from Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in materials science from the University of California, Berkeley.
Risbud is known for his prolific contributions to the ceramic and glass field as a scientist and educator. His most notable research includes innovative work on spark plasma sintering, cordierite substrates for electronic packaging, new oxynitride–oxycarbide amorphous materials, and growth of quantum dots. Risbud has more than 300 publications and six patents spanning decades of work, and he has served as principal investigator on government- and industry-funded projects for more than four decades. He is known worldwide for collaborations on a multitude of projects, including photonics and electronics engineering, biotechnology and nanotechnology, computer modeling, and environmental effects on human health, as well as for his advocacy of students, women, and diverse talent in the industry.
Risbud has been an ACerS member for 54 years and is an ACerS Fellow. He has chaired technical sessions and helped organize the annual industry-focused Conference on Glass Problems. Risbud has also served on many Society award committees. He is the recipient of many awards and honors, including the James Mueller Award (2025), the W.D. Kingery Award (2020), Fellow (1989), the Ross Coffin Purdy Award (1979), and the Outstanding Educator Award (1998). He belongs to the ACerS Engineering Ceramics Division and Glass & Optical Materials Division.
Media contact
Amanda Engen
- Director, Communications and Workforce Development
- 614-794-5825
- aengen@ceramics.org
About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for ceramic and materials scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students. The Society serves more than 10,000 members from more than 70 countries. ceramics.org
