Two Mines professors have received 2015 National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Awards. Kathleen Smits, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, received the award in support of her research Advancing the Science and Education of Land Surface-Atmosphere Interactions: Interweaving Multiscale Experimental and Modeling Approaches for Land Surface Models (LSM) and Experiential Learning. The goal of Smits’ research is to advance the understanding and modeling of mass and energy exchange at the land-atmosphere interface over a wide range of scales, ultimately improving LSMs that are used in global climate prediction.
Kathleen Smits, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering. (Jan Smits).
Aaron Stebner, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, received the award to support his researchIn-situ Advancements for Study of Multi-Axial Micromechanics of Solid Materials. The project will examine the mechanics of the microscale level deformation of metal through advanced experimental mechanics and analysis, including novel in-situ X-ray diffraction experiments. Stebner’s work will help explore new territory in the study of micromechanics phase transformation in shape memory alloys and stainless steels.
Aaron Stebner, assistant prorfessor of mechanical engineering. (Kathleen Morton)
The NSF CAREER award is the most prestigious award in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education, and the integration of education and research within the content of the mission of the organizations.
