April 2, 2007 — Steven R. Westbrook, a principal scientist in the Fuels and Lubricants Research Division at Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®), has been selected for the ASTM International 2007 Award of Merit. With the award also comes recognition as a Fellow of ASTM.
Established by the ASTM International Board of Directors in 1949, the Award of Merit is the highest society award granted to members for distinguished service and outstanding participation in ASTM committee activities. ASTM is one of the world's largest voluntary standards development organizations.
Westbrook earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Texas Lutheran University and a master's of business administration from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Since joining the SwRI staff in 1979, Westbrook has conducted research on fuel stability additives, diesel fuel-degradation reaction mechanisms, the effects of fuel container surfaces on fuel quality and fuels from alternative sources. He has studied advanced analytical methods for field analysis of fuels, and his recent work has involved bio-diesel oxidation and oxidation test methods.
Westbrook has been participating in ASTM activities since 1979, currently serving as the chairman of the ASTM subcommittee on burner, diesel, marine and nonaviation gas turbine fuels. He has also served as chairman of other ASTM sections involving fuel stability and cleanliness. Westbrook has received the Committee D2 Awards of Appreciation and Excellence. The D2 Committee establishes standards for distillate fuels. In addition to ASTM, he is also chairman of the International Association for Stability, Handling, and Use of Liquid Fuels.
The award will be presented to Westbrook in June at the ASTM International Committee D2 meeting to be held in Miami, Florida.
For more information contact Deb Schmid, +1 210 522 2254, Communications Department, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238-5166.