image: Sana Elyas
Credit: Alonda Hines/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy
The Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) North America has elected Sana Elyas as president of the 2026–2027 North America Executive Cabinet. Her term will officially begin on July 1, 2026.
Elyas, a technical leader at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), brings more than 17 years of active engagement with SAMPE and a distinguished track record of leadership across the organization. She previously served as executive vice president, becoming the first ORNL researcher — and first female from India — to hold that role in SAMPE’s history. Her election to president marks the continuation of a steady progression through every level of SAMPE North America leadership.
At ORNL, Elyas leads industrial collaborations within the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, where she works at the intersection of industry, academia and government-sponsored research. She aligns partners with key programs in advanced composites, additive manufacturing, hybrid and bio-based materials, artificial intelligence for materials, critical materials and energy technologies. Her role includes overseeing complex, multidisciplinary projects and fostering long-term partnerships within the Composites Innovation and Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies Group.
“Sana has built a reputation for translating advanced manufacturing capabilities into impactful programs and partnerships,” said Yarom Polsky, director of ORNL’s Manufacturing Science Division. “Her experience leading complex, collaborative programs across industry, academia and government will support SAMPE’s continued growth and engagement.”
Elyas emphasized building on SAMPE’s strong foundation while expanding opportunities for collaboration and engagement.
“SAMPE’s greatest strength is its people,” said Elyas. “I am deeply honored and humbled to serve as president of SAMPE North America. As I step into this role, my focus is simple: build on what we’ve created, strengthen our technical excellence, grow our partnerships and create more opportunities for every member to engage.”
Elyas’s professional background spans global project leadership, engineering and research, including experience at the National Institute for Aviation Research, as well as roles in both startup and large organizational environments. Her expertise covers thermoplastic and thermoset composites, engineering design, process development and advanced manufacturing applications across industries such as aerospace, transportation, energy and infrastructure.
Her service to SAMPE extends across multiple regional chapters, where she has contributed as a chapter leader, committee member and advocate for member engagement. Throughout her tenure, she has led governance improvements, strengthened financial oversight and expanded opportunities for students and professionals through internships, partnerships and targeted programming.
She was previously honored with both SAMPE’s 2021 Community Materials & Processes Award and the 2020 Young Professional Emerging Leader Award.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for DOE’s Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science. — Tina M. Johnson