AIST Steel Intern Scholarship - Premier
Adriana Lozano Garcia
As a recipient of the AIST Premier Steel Intern Scholarship, I had the opportunity to join Nucor-JFE Steel Mexico during the summer of 2025, where I developed a project titled “Reduction of Testing and Material Release Time.” This initiative aimed to optimize mechanical testing procedures carried out on the production line by evaluating the possibility of reducing the number of samples required to validate product quality. The main objective was to shorten the material release time without compromising the reliability of the results, which also positively impacted the laboratory team’s workload and resource efficiency.
The project involved statistical analysis of mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation and yield point. Through tools like process capability studies, correlation analysis, and variance testing, it was possible to identify consistent behavior patterns that support the reduction of tested samples for material validation. These results allowed for the proposal of practical improvements, contributing to faster response times.
What made this experience truly transformative was the opportunity to be part not only of the technical process but the company’s culture and values as well. At Nucor-JFE, I was welcomed as a member of the team from day one, in an environment of collaboration, commitment, and safety that was key to my professional growth. Throughout the project, I faced technical and organizational challenges, but I always had the support of my team to overcome them and achieve meaningful results.
Participating in a project with real impact on industry efficiency inspired me to continue growing as a materials engineer. The AIST Premier Steel Intern Scholarship was a decisive step in my career: it allowed me to fully immerse myself in the steel industry, strengthen my technical and personal skills, and reaffirm my passion for contributing to the development of this sector.