Smela Promoted to Associate Professor Status

Congratulations to Elisabeth Smela, who was recently awarded the status of Associate Professor with tenure.

Smela's research interests include work with micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), combining organic materials with silicon to make new devices, and conjugated polymer micro-actuators.

Smela was recently the recipient of the highly prestigious Presidential Early Career (PECASE) Award for 2003, presented on September 9, 2004. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers. Elisabeth was recognized for developing a highly innovative actuator technology, employing dielectric elastomers for microrobotics, flying microdevices, and micromanipulation. Smela was one of the 57 scientists and engineers from across the nation who received the award during a White House ceremony in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

Published March 15, 2005