Scovazzi Wins Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

Guglielmo Scovazzi, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering (CEE) and mechanical engineering and materials science (MEMS) at Duke University, has been named a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The recognition is highest honor bestowed by the United States government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.

“It is a great honor for me, I am ecstatic,” said Scovazzi. “I would like to deeply thank the support provided by my department and the Pratt School of Engineering and the wonderful environment its leaders have created and continue to promote and treasure together with my fellow colleagues. It is an intellectually rich, risk-taking and enthusiastic environment, and forms a fantastic foundation for all of us.

“I would also like to thank the US institutions and the respective program managers that sponsored my research work, and allowed me to pursue my career research goals with great encouragement,” continued Scovazzi. “The US Department of Energy, which also nominated me for the award, the US Office of Naval Research, the US Army Research Office, Sandia National Laboratories, DARPA and ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company.  I am deeply indebted to all of them for their continuous support.”

“We are very proud of Guglielmo and his achievements,” said Ravi Bellamkonda, Vinik Dean of the Pratt School of Engineering. “The PECASE award is a high honor that speaks to the quality of his scholarship and the quality of the wonderful faculty we are fortunate to have at Duke Engineering.  At times like this, we should also recognize Professor Scovazzi’s mentors at Duke who contributed to his success.”

Scovazzi’s research is in the broad field of computational mechanics and, in particular, is aimed at the development of robust and accurate numerical methods for solid and fluid dynamics, fluid/structure interaction, flows in porous media and geomechanics. The applications of Scovazzi’s research involve simulations in very complex geometry on advanced parallel computing architectures and find applications in the fields of aerospace, mechanical, biomedical and petroleum engineering.

The Presidential Early Career Awards highlight the key role that the White House Administration places in encouraging and accelerating American innovation to grow our economy and tackle our greatest challenges. The awards, established by President Clinton in 1996, select researchers for their pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology and their commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education or community outreach.

“I congratulate these outstanding scientists and engineers on their impactful work,” President Obama said in a press release. “These innovators are working to help keep the United States on the cutting edge, showing that Federal investments in science lead to advancements that expand our knowledge of the world around us and contribute to our economy.”