The following is an excerpt.
Professor Aase Gavina Reyes has left the CASA building, at least for some time.
Her many-faceted professional journey now continues at Oslo Metropolitan University. This autumn OsloMet launched a brand-new master´s degree programme in Structural Engineering and Building Technology.
«I am looking forward to be a part of the team that is developing the new programme. It will be fun. Besides, I have some knowledge about how a programme of study in construction technology could be designed».
From Earthquakes to Foams
Sitting in her office surrounded by moving boxes, textbooks, papers, notebooks and objects collected during 25 years in Trondheim, she admits a certain wistfulness.
She describes the feeling of joy and excitement when she was actually offered the position at OsloMet’s Faculty of Technology, Art and Design earlier this year.
«Then, when you start packing, reality sinks in. I have been here a long time».
She started her master’s studies in 1994. Her thesis was on earthquakes. Originally she wanted to be a bridge engineer, but a PhD scholarship in 1998 led the way to foams. Aluminium foams to begin with, later the formability of aluminium alloys became a focus area.
Reyes takes pleasure in the lecturing part of her job. The first students on the new programme started this autumn. Next year, Reyes will be starting her courses at OsloMet´s Department of Civil Engineering and Energy Technology.
Hopes to continue collaborating
Her contact information lists aluminium, metals, dynamic loading, formability and foam materials as her subject areas. For the time being, the professor is involved in different projects at NTNU. Among them «Impact behaviour of crash pads with polymer foam cores» was together with Professor Tore Børvik at SFI CASA. The professor has applied for a leave of absence. She hopes to keep a part-time position in Trondheim to follow-up on her obligations and continue collaborating with fellow researchers at CASA.
No matter what, she will continue to supervise PhD candidate Daniel Morton who is working on polymers. Morton´s project is to improve modelling and thus increase the potential for innovative use in the automotive industry. He will defend his thesis in 2020.
The main reason for moving to Oslo is family. Her husband has also changed his main work-place and will be moving to Oslo. They have two young daughters, grandparents and other dear ones living in Oslo. «In the long run it is too tough to be torn between two places».
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