NASA Recognizes CIRA

Nominations for College Awards

Engineering Career Fair

High School Student Studies in University Lab

Alumni Connect Online

More Stories of Interest

College of Engineering Assistant Professor Honored by
President Bush

Two Colorado State University faculty members, Amy J. Pruden-Bagchi, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Jacob Roberts, assistant professor in the Department of Physics, were recently honored by President George Bush with the Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering. They were 2 of 56 honored, and the only representatives from a Colorado university.

The program recognizes outstanding scientists and engineers who, early in their careers, show exceptional potential for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge. This presidential award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers.

"Drs. Pruden-Bagchi and Roberts are highly respected in their fields and exemplify the type of high-quality faculty at Colorado State University," said Larry Edward Penley, president of Colorado State. "Our scientists continue to make important advances in solving some of the world's pressing global problems."

Pruden-Bagchi, nominated by the National Science Foundation, is recognized for research using molecular biology to investigate the pathways, mitigation, and treatment of antibiotic-resistant genes in the environment.

"Amy's research has attracted national attention and will continue to advance our understanding of antibiotic-resistant genes in our water supply," said Sandra Woods, dean of the College of Engineering. "Amy is typical of faculty in the college who continue to make groundbreaking discoveries and who help our students learn from some of the best scientists in the world."

Pruden-Bagchi joins Randy Bartels, assistant professor of electrical engineering, a recipient of the 2005 Presidential Early Career Award, and Dr. Jeffrey D. Niemann, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, a 2002 recipient.

Learn more about Pruden-Bagchi online.

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NASA Recognizes College's CIRA Division

Colorado State University's Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere has earned a top award from NASA for its ongoing data processing work on the CloudSat satellite orbiting Earth.

NASA honored CIRA with a Public Service Group Achievement Award for processing data that is critical to getting CloudSat's information on the characteristics of clouds to the international science community.

CloudSat, a satellite mission conceived by Colorado State Professor and Principal Investigator Graeme Stephens, is the world's only cloud-profiling radar in orbit. NASA honored the CIRA and Science and Technology Corp.-METSAT division team of Ken Eis, Mike Hiatt, Phil Partain, Don Reinke, Dale Reinke and Laura Sample "for exceptional contributions to the CloudSat Mission in the design, development, and implementation of the CloudSat Data Processing System."

"I'm proud of our CIRA scientists who strive to provide the best service as they conduct research that is of mutual benefit to our federal agencies, the university, state, and nation," said Tom Vonder Haar, CIRA director. "CloudSat's groundbreaking scientific results are truly benefiting scientists around the globe."

CIRA is a center for international cooperation in research and training based at Colorado State University. CIRA was first established to increase the effectiveness of atmospheric research in areas of interest between Colorado State and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and has developed into a leader in many areas of climate research.

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Spring 2008 Engineering Career Fair

The College of Engineering will hosts its annual career fair on February 13 and 14 in CSU's Lory Student Center. The career fair allows employers to interact with a large number of students in a finite period of time, and is a cost effective way to reach large numbers of potential interns and employees, as well as a great opportunity for alumni to network with faculty and student organizations. In addition, revenue from the career fair funds the CSU College of Engineering Professional Learning Institute, which provides resources for undergraduate professional development.

The Career Fair has become a great success with 110 companies and over 700 students in attendance last year. This year the fair will expand to two days and accommodate as many as 200 employers.

For more information or to register your company, visit the College of Engineering website or contact John Haines, Career Liaison, at (970) 491-0716 or john.haines@colostate.edu.

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High School Student Takes Love of Science into Lab

From high school to higher ed, Shaun Meehan was one of three high school students who recently conducted research along side faculty and university students. The grandson of the first laser gyroscope designer, Shaun turned a lifelong love of science into a unique research opportunity in Colorado State University's Extreme Ultraviolet Science and Technology program, a National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center (EUV ERC).

Meehan has dedicated his education to science. It was this enthusiasm that led him, in his junior year, to the NSF Engineering Research Center for Extreme Ultraviolet Science and Technology's Optics and Lasers Workshop, held at CSU. Chosen for his passion and electrical experience, including knowledge of computer drafting programs and milling machinery, Meehan was invited to conduct research the summer following his junior year.

Over the past two years, Meehan has been designing and manufacturing key laser components under University Distinguished Professor and Director of the EUV ERC, Dr. Jorge Rocca. Working alongside both undergraduate and graduate students, Meehan, completed his laboratory studies this past summer.

"Everyone has been amazing. The graduate students and Professor Rocca never treat me like a high school student, they treat me as part of the team," said Meehan. "I could ask anyone any question. They are all so willing to help."

Meehan's future plans include pursuing his electrical engineering degree at CSU, but only after an adventurous year abroad.

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Alumni Connect Online

Register with Rams Online and build a connection to other CSU alumni and members!

Rams Online is a community where you can:

• Update your contact information
• Find former classmates
• Post a class note
• Find or become a career mentor
• Post a job
• Search for a job
• Network with other CSU alumni

Register in three simple steps...

1. Visit the Rams Online website.
2. Click Not Registered? in the gold bar at the top.
3. Type in your first name, last name, and validation code.

Your validation code is a 10-digit number with leading zeroes (e.g., 0000123456). You can find your validation code on the mailing label of the next Colorado State Magazine, or by calling the Alumni Association at (800) 286-2586. The college's Office of Development is also available to help at (970) 491-3110.

Once you’ve registered, tell your CSU friends and help build a strong alumni community!

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Other stories of interest...

Wade Troxell Elevated to ASME Fellow

From Sludge to Solar

Scientists Eye New Measures of Hurricanes

Professor Receives Grant to Study Biofuels

More College of Engineering stories are available on-line
at Engineering News.

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