CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Two University of Illinois professors are among 100 young researchers named today (July 9) as recipients of 2008 Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers.
Ioannis Chasiotis, a professor of aerospace engineering, and Lynford L. Goddard, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, will receive their awards in the fall at a White House ceremony.
"These extraordinarily gifted young scientists and engineers represent the best in our country," President Barack Obama said in announcing the awards. "With their talent, creativity, and dedication, I am confident that they will lead their fields in new breakthroughs and discoveries and help us use science and technology to lift up our nation and our world."
Chasiotis' research interests include experimental mechanics at the nanoscale; mechanical reliability, fracture, and fatigue of micro-electromechanical systems; deformation and damage mechanics of polymer nanocomposites and soft nanophase materials; and applications of scanning probe microscopy in mechanics and biology. Chasiotis is affiliated with the Beckman Institute, the Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, and the department of mechanical science and engineering.
The central theme of Goddard's research is building high-speed, chip-scale monolithic photonic systems. This is accomplished by integrating laser sources with all-optical sensors, transducers, switches, interconnects, and logic and memory elements on the same platform to enable multipurpose adaptive photonic systems. Goddard is affiliated with the Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory.
The young scientists and engineers receive up to a five-year research grant to further their study in support of critical government missions. The federal agencies involved include the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Science Foundation.
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