Professor Brian Gabbitas
Position: Former Senior Lecturer and Head of Department, Department of Engineering, The University of Waikato. Field: Metallic materials.
Professor Brian Gabbitas is a metallic materials scientist, formerly based in the Department of Engineering, University of Waikato. His main research interests include the powder metallurgy of titanium alloys and powder coatings of titanium-based materials.
Professor Brian Gabbitas
Professor Brian Gabbitas in the laboratory. Brian is watching incoming data on screen during a tensile test of a titanium alloy rod.
After graduating with a PhD in metallurgy from the University of Leeds in the UK, Brian worked for several years with a company manufacturing nickel alloys for use in the aerospace industry. He then took the unusual step of accepting a 5-year commission with the British Royal Navy. The experiences gained in his time with the Navy, particularly at the Royal Navy Engineering College in Plymouth, UK, convinced Brian to follow a career path in higher education. In 2002, he accepted a lectureship at the University of Waikato.
Research is a good way to interact with people from overseas, from different cultures and presents a common thread that binds people together. It therefore bridges international and cultural boundaries.
Research tools used in powder metallurgy
To assist with her research studies into titanium-based alloy powders, Asma Salman, a PhD student at the University of Waikato, makes use of electron and X-ray microscopy to probe the structure of the materials she is developing. Tensile testing is also used to assess the physical strength of the material.
Asma explains how she does this and how the information gained can be interpreted.
Point of interest
Can you think of other applications for electron microscopy?
Brian’s work within the Department of Engineering was very diverse, including lecturing, department administration, project supervision and research. He found working with research students both stimulating and enjoyable.
In 2018 Brian left the University of Waikato returned to the United Kingdom.
This article is based on information current in 2009 and 2018.
