Dr. Reza Moheimani, professor of systems engineering and holder of the James Von Ehr Distinguished Chair in Science and Technology at The University of Texas at Dallas, was recognized by two professional organizations for his contributions to nanoscale control systems.
The International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) awarded Moheimani its Industrial Achievement Award, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Dynamic Systems and Control Division named him its 2022 Nyquist Lecturer.
Moheimani is a control systems researcher in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science whose research interests include quantum devices and atomic force microscopy. Since joining UT Dallas in 2015, he established the Laboratory for Dynamics and Control of Nanosystems as well as the Center for Atomically Precise Fabrication of Solid-State Quantum Devices, a research collaboration on nanoscale engineering systems.
“Systems engineering at UT Dallas has a strong history of national and international award winners among its faculty, and Reza is at the top of that list,” said Dr. Stephen Yurkovich, professor and department head of systems engineering, Louis Beecherl Jr. Distinguished Chair and director of the Center for Control Science and Technology. “For Reza to have received both of these awards in the same calendar year is quite an amazing accomplishment, clearly showing why he is so highly valued as our colleague.”
The IFAC Industrial Achievement Award is given once every three years to a researcher who has made a significant contribution to industrial applications of control. Moheimani will be formally recognized at the opening ceremony of the IFAC World Congress in July 2023 in Yokohama, Japan. Previously, he was awarded the Nathaniel B. Nichols Medal from IFAC in 2014, giving him the rare distinction of receiving two of the organization’s highest honors.
The ASME Nyquist Lecture is awarded annually to a prominent professional in the Dynamic Systems and Control Division, and the same individual is named only once. Moheimani delivered the lecture at the Modeling, Estimation and Control Conference held in early October.
Students Win Diversity Program Opportunity
Two undergraduate students from The University of Texas at Dallas School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences won scholarships from the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) to participate in the Undergraduate Diversity Scholars and Leaders Professional Development Program.
Alejandra Giron Vives, a public affairs senior, and Santiago Palomino, a political science senior, were winners of the award, which includes travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, and accommodations and registration for the 2022 ARNOVA annual conference, which will begin Nov. 17, in addition to a $500 scholarship.
The competitive Undergraduate Diversity Scholars Program identifies 10 students from underrepresented groups and provides them with the opportunity to meet current graduate students and faculty from underrepresented communities and to learn alongside senior scholars in the field who can offer a window into the work and life of social science researchers and evaluators.
“Alejandra and Santiago both have demonstrated academic excellence in coursework on nonprofit management here at UTD, but more importantly, they are both dedicated and active members of the wider DFW community, working with local nonprofits in support of social change and community empowerment,” said Dr. Allison Russell, assistant professor of public and nonprofit management.
Russell and Dr. Elizabeth Searing, assistant professor of public and nonprofit management, will make presentations at the conference.
Giron Vives has worked in nonprofits as an instructor and tutor throughout her college career and is particularly interested in student advocacy. After graduation, she plans to work as an educator and administrator in public education.
“I hope that learning the structural aspects of social science research in education will empower me in bridging the language and socioeconomic differences that exist for students in public education,” she said.
Palomino, who plans to pursue a master’s degree in public administration at UT Dallas after he graduates in December, said that as a first-generation college student, opportunities like these do not come often.
“I am looking forward to discussing research, professional development and meeting all the amazing people at the conference,” he said. “I hope to grow my knowledge of the nonprofit sector and the issues it faces, and I would like to further cultivate relationships with academics and professionals across the country that work with nonprofits.”
Accolades is an occasional News Center feature that highlights recent accomplishments of The University of Texas at Dallas faculty, students and staff. To submit items for consideration, contact your school’s communications manager.