Wallace Appointed to U.S. National Committee for Theoretical and Applied Mechanics

Professor James Wallace has been appointed Member-at-Large of the U.S. National Committee for Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (USNC/TAM) of the National Academy of Sciences.

The USNC/TAM was established in 1949 by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to represent the United States in international scientific activities relating to the field of mechanics. It is the focal point for the U.S. engineering, scientific, and mathematical communities that have common interests in mechanics. The committee serves as the national forum for defining major issues in mechanics research, technology, and education, suggesting strategies in areas of mutual concern, and stimulating appropriate actions. This committee operates under the auspices of the Board on International Scientific Organizations of the Policy and Global Affairs Division of the NRC.

The USNC/TAM also represents the NAS as the U.S. adhering organization to the International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (IUTAM), a member union of the International Council for Science (ICSU). The IUTAM was formed in 1946 with the object of creating a link between persons and national or international organizations engaged in scientific work (theoretical or experimental) in mechanics or in related sciences. The United States is one of 49 countries that presently adheres to IUTAM, one of 26 member unions of the ICSU.

As part of several U.S. national committees within the Board on International Scientific Organizations, the USNC/TAM is encouraged to consider issues not only specifically relevant to mechanics, but also relevant across several disciplines. New activities and initiatives include, for example, using modern communication networks to improve information flow between researchers in different parts of the world; improving the public's understanding of science and engineering through visiting lecture programs, interactive web sites, town meetings, and other events; and fostering opportunities for younger scientists to become engaged in collaborative research.

The Department offers Dr. Wallace their heartiest congratulations.

Published October 11, 2002