About COM 2026
Gain valuable knowledge and professional development hours by attending this conference.
Lukas Bichler
Conference Chair
Professor, UBC
A message from the Chair
Welcome to COM 2026 – 65th Conference of Metallurgy and Materials
Calgary, Alberta | August 17–20, 2026
It is our great pleasure to welcome you to COM 2026, the 65th Conference of Metallurgy and Materials, hosted in Calgary, Alberta. This international forum brings together leaders and experts from industry, academia, and government to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration, and explore the future of materials and metallurgical sciences.
Over the course of four days, participants will enjoy a technical program showcasing the latest advances in materials science, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, and sustainability, alongside sessions reflecting on the rich history of Canada’s metallurgical industry. These discussions will not only highlight past achievements but also address the pressing challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
A particular highlight of COM 2026 will be the Factory of the Future Symposium, dedicated to exploring cutting-edge advances in digitalization, artificial intelligence, and trends in next-generation engineering applications. This symposium will demonstrate how innovation is reshaping industries and redefining the role of materials and manufacturing in a rapidly evolving world.
COM 2026 is also committed to supporting the next generation of professionals. Students and early-career participants are invited to take advantage of tailored networking events and numerous opportunities to connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and build relationships that will support their future careers.
We look forward to welcoming you to Calgary for COM 2026 and to an inspiring and impactful conference experience.
Sincerely,
Lukas Bichler, COM 2026 Chair
Venue: Calgary TELUS Convention Centre
Address: 136 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2P 0K6
Located in the heart of downtown Calgary on vibrant Stephen Avenue, the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre offers 122,000 sq. ft. of connected event space with direct access to three four‑star hotels and the city’s premier dining, culture, and entertainment — all just an hour from the spectacular Canadian Rockies.
Land Acknowledgement
MetSoc of CIM acknowledges that the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre sits near the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, a site of deep significance for Indigenous communities.
Organizing Committee
Lukas Bichler
Conference Chair
Professor, UBC
Niels Verbaan
Conference Co-Chair and Secretary
Director, SGS
Sidney Omelon
Student Activities Chair
Professor, McGill University
Abdallah Elsayed
Symposium Chair
University of Guelph
Ahmed Tiamiyu
Symposium Chair
University of Calgary
Brad Hewitt
Symposium Chair
Hatch
Britt MacKinnon
Symposium Chair
Hatch
Jafar Safarian
Symposium Chair
NTNU
Joseph Kish
Symposium Chair
McMaster University
Laurie Reemeyer
Symposium Chair
Resourceful Paths
Leili Tafaghodi
Symposium Chair
McMaster University
Mansoor Barati
Symposium Chair
University of Toronto
Mike Johnson
Symposium Chair
SGS
Mohsen Mohammadi
Symposium Chair
University of New Brunswick
Mousa Javidani
Symposium Chair
UQAC
Samaneh Shahgaldi
Symposium Chair
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Suraj Persaud
Symposium Chair
Queen's University
Sima Ahmad Alidokht
Symposium Chair
MUN
Xiaolei Wang
Symposium Chair
University of Alberta
Sheida Sarafan
Symposium Chair
National Research Council Canada
Bosco Yu
Symposium Chair
University of Victoria
Show Management
Brigitte Farah, Managing Director
Victoria Di Woo, Digital Design Specialist
Janice Burke, Editorial Coordinator
Simone Florence, Event and Office Coordinator
Organizing Committee
Lukas Bichler
Conference Chair
Professor, UBC
Niels Verbaan
Conference Secretary
Director, SGS
Sidney Omelon
Student Activities Chair
Professor, McGill University
Symposium Chairs
Metallurgy Symposium Chairs
Jafar Safarian, NTNU
Mansoor Barati, UofT
Leili Tafaghodi, McMaster University
Ahmed Tiamiyu, University of Calgary
Abdallah Elsayed, University of Guelph
Konstantinos Korgiopoulos, Kingston Process Metallurgy
Joseph Kish, McMaster University
Materials Symposium Chairs
Laurie Reemeyer, Resourceful Pathways
Britt MacKinnon, Hatch
Sima Ahmad Alidokht, MUN
Mohsen Mohammadi, University of New Brunswick
Xiaolei Wang, UAlberta
Mike Johnson, SGS Canada Inc.
Samaneh Shahgaldi, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières