Podcast Description

How does one welding class spark a path into Materials Science research and Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing? In this episode, I sit down with Mia Abdulla, a Materials Engineering Master’s student at the University of Alberta’s Canadian Centre for Welding and Joining (CCWJ), to break down WAAM from lab to shop floor. We explore how it compares to traditional welding, casting, and forging, where it fits in high-stakes scenarios like oil and gas shutdowns, and the real challenges around distortion and heat input. We also dive into codes and standards, qualification and testing hurdles, and the role student chapters play in building the next generation of welding professionals.

• LinkedIn: Mia Abdulla
• Website: https://sites.ualberta.ca/~ccwj/
• Register: 2026 CCWJ Annual Seminar