Four Swanson School faculty capture 2013 Carnegie Science Awards

CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER NEWS RELEASE

PITTSBURGH  (January 30, 2013) ... Today  Carnegie Science Center  announced the winners of its  2013 Carnegie Science Awards , sponsored by Eaton, at its annual Announcement Reception. Four Swanson School of Engineering faculty were among this year's awardees, the most from any organization.

The program honors awardees from more than 15 categories, including Corporate Innovation, Emerging Female Scientist, Entrepreneur, Environmental, Leadership in STEM Education and others. These individuals and companies have distinguished themselves by making unparalleled contributions to science and technology in various disciplines. 

The Swanson School recipients include:
Emerging Female Scientist Award
Xinyan Tracy Cui, PhD
Associate Professor and Bicentennial Alumni Faculty Fellow,Department of Bioengineering
Dr. Cui's pioneering work in conducting polymer-based neural electrode coatings, which offers advantages over traditional metal electrodes, is both nationally and internationally recognized. Many laboratories have adapted this technology or started research in this direction. Her work has attracted $4 million in peer-reviewed funding. 

Environmental Award
Robert M. Enick, PhD
NETL RUA Faculty Fellow, Bayer Professor and Vice Chair for Research, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
Dr. Enick, working in collaboration with a GE Global Research Team, has developed a unique method of capturing carbon dioxide from the stack of coal-fired power plants. This state-of-the-art technique is projected to have much lower energy costs than current technologies.

University/Post-Secondary Educator Award
Steven Little, PhD
Associate Professor, CNG Faculty Fellow and Chair, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
Locally, Dr. Little is recognized as a first-rate educator and mentor by his colleagues and students. He was also recently named a "Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar" and chosen to speak to the nation's brightest science and engineering students at the Beckman Foundation's Scholars Symposium.

Life Sciences Award
David A. Vorp, PhD
Associate Dean for Research, Swanson School of Engineering
William Kepler Whiteford Professor
Professor of Bioengineering, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Surgery, University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Vorp's work on aortic aneurysms has changed the way clinicians view this disease. His work on vein graft modification is expected to lead to human trials soon, and his approach to tissue engineered arteries may one day change arterial bypass surgeries.

"The Carnegie Science Awards spotlight some of the most innovative minds today," said Ron Baillie, Henry Buhl, Jr., Co-Director of Carnegie Science Center. "These individuals are making a global impact starting with our own region. We know they are already inspiring a new generation of leaders. "

Carnegie Science Center established the Carnegie Science Awards program in 1997 to recognize and promote outstanding science and technology achievements in western Pennsylvania. Celebrating its 17th year, the Carnegie Science Awards have honored the accomplishments of more than 300 individuals and organizations that have improved lives through their commitment and contributions in science and technology. 

"We have supported the Carnegie Science Awards through a premier sponsorship for the past ten years and have seen remarkable leaders and organizations recognized for their efforts in a challenging and rewarding field," said Richard D. Holder, president of the Control and Circuit Breaker Division of Eaton's Electrical Sector - Americas. "We are happy to continue supporting this program and its commitment to discovery, innovation and education." 

"One of our central missions is to promote education in science, technology, engineering, and math - or STEM. The Carnegie Science Awards winners exemplify the highest levels of success in STEM fields and in STEM education," said Ann Metzger, Henry Buhl, Jr., Co-Director of Carnegie Science Center. "We are proud to recognize these outstanding awardees and look forward to their continued contributions." 

Awardees will be honored during a formal celebration at Carnegie Music Hall on Friday, May 3, 2013. Three student winners, who will be selected at the Science Center's 74th annual Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair, also will be recognized. 

2013 Carnegie Science Award Winners
Advanced Manufacturing Award
David Burns, The ExOne Company

Advanced Materials Award
Edward Argetsinger, Jonathan Stinson, Paul Turner, Paul Jablonski, National Energy Technology Laboratory

Catalyst Award
Nancy Minshew, Center for Excellence in Autism Research - University of Pittsburgh

Corporate Innovation Award
Julianne Klara, National Energy Technology Laboratory - Regional University Alliance

Elementary Educator Award
Shannon Merenstein, Environmental Charter School

Middle Level Educator Award
Howard Johnson, Charleroi Area School District

High School Educator Award
Jackie Karenbauer, Jennifer DiPasquale, Mark Buccilli, North Hills School District

Leadership in STEM Education
James Manner, Fu-mei C. Lin, Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh, Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh

University/Post-Secondary Educator Award
Steven Little , University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering

University/Post-Secondary Student Award
Elaine F. Houston, University of Pittsburgh, Human Engineering Research Laboratories

Emerging Female Scientist Award
Tracy Cui, Ph.D, University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering

Start-Up Entrepreneur Award
Patrick Daly, Cohera Medical

Entrepreneur Award
Raul Valdes-Perez, Jerome Pesenti, Vivisimo, an IBM company

Environmental Award 
Robert Enick, University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering

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Information Technology Award
Mark DeSantis, kWantera, Inc.

Life Sciences Award
David Vorp, University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering

Science Communicator
Peter Lucas, Joseph Ballay, Mickey McManus, MAYA Design, Inc.

2013 Carnegie Science Awards Honorable Mention
Elementary Educator
Danielle Kephart, Divine Redeemer School

University/Post-Secondary Educator
Thomas Eatmon, Allegheny College
Edward Schroth, Duquesne University, Center for Environmental Research and Education

Start-Up Entrepreneur 
Mike Formica, Three Rivers 3d

Entrepreneur
Jesse Schell, Schell Games

Environmental
Mont Handley, Pittmoss Development Company, LLC
Emily Elliot, University of Pittsburgh


About Carnegie Science Center
Carnegie Science Center is dedicated to inspiring learning and curiosity by connecting science and technology with everyday life. By making science both relevant and fun, the Science Center's goal is to increase science literacy in the region to motivate young people to seek careers in science and technology. One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Science Center is Pittsburgh's premier science exploration destination, reaching more than 700,000 people annually through its hands-on exhibits, camps, classes, and off-site education programs. For more information, visit CarnegieScienceCenter.org.

About Eaton 
Eaton is a diversified power management company providing energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power. The company is a global technology leader in electrical products, systems and services for power quality, distribution and control, power transmission, lighting and wiring products; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton acquired Cooper Industries plc in 2012. Eaton has approximately 100,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.

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