NSBE - Fall 2012 - (Page 20)

NsBE NEWS Dr. Baratunde Cola Earns Presidential research award possibilities very exciting. aratunde A. Cola, Ph.D. has “The challenges and opportunities of nanoscience and long been a star with NSBE. nanoengineering have attracted many great minds to these The Georgia Tech mechanifields, which makes interactions with students and colleagues cal engineering profeswithin the community very rewarding, personally,” he said. sor was featured in the “Top 50 “Most of all, I have found that the mix of energy and nanoenSexiest Engineers” issue of NSBE gineering has opened wide the door to a multifaceted life as Magazine, in 2007. More recently, a teacher-researcher-entrepreneur, which is exactly where I this past July, the White House want to be right now.” recognized Dr. Cola’s intellectual Dr. Cola, who recently became NSBE lifetime member prowess as well, by choosing him No. 190, credits the Society with giving him his start as an as one of the 96 recipients of this educator. year’s Presidential Early Career “Though I was open to the idea, I had no serious plans Award for Scientists and Engineers to enter academe until the NSBE (Annual Convention) in (PECASE). Columbus, Ohio, back in 2007,” he wrote in an e-mail in AuThe PECASE is the highest baratunde a. cola, Ph.d. gust. “There, I was able to attend a panel discussion on pursuhonor bestowed by the U.S. goving an academic career. Deans from several universities were ernment on science and engineering professionals in the early on the panel, and I had a chance to speak with most of them stages of their independent research careers. Awardees are afterwards, which was a rare opportunity. I also had the good selected for their pursuit of innovative research at the fronfortune to meet the chair of mechanical engineering at Ohio tiers of science and technology and for their commitment to State. He invited me to give a seminar at OSU after a brief discommunity service, as demonstrated by scientific leadership, cussion. That experience was a great confidence boost. Word public education or community outreach. got out that I was ‘hot’ on the academic market so soon before The work that caught the attention of the White House graduation, and the rest was history! was Dr. Cola’s outstanding research on energy conversion, “Opportunities like the one provided to me by NSBE are nanoscale transport and materials, and his outreach and edupriceless and essential to accomplishing the mission of NSBE,” cational activities involving K–12 science and art students and he added, “and to achieving the goals of the current White teachers from disadvantaged minority communities. House administration.” ■ “My interests and accomplishments are shaped by the ethos of my family, friends and all of those who have supported and encouraged me,” said Dr. Cola, who is the director of Georgia Tech’s NanoEngineered Systems and Transport Lab. “I am thrilled to have an opportunity to represent them on this national stage. I feel honored to be considered in this group and to be able to share our discoveries of new ways to improve the conversion of waste heat to electricity with a wider audience.” Dr. Cola believes the current public discourse about jobs and energy has made dr. cola (center), with graduate students at georgia tech’s school his research on nanoengiof mechanical engineering: (left to right) olalekan adewuyi, john neered energy technologies taphouse, benedict vani and sameer rao highly relevant, and the phOtOS cOurtESy OF thE gEOrgia iNStitutE OF tEchNOLOgy B 20 • nsbe magazine • fall 2012 www.nsbe.org http://www.nsbe.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NSBE - Fall 2012

NSBE - Fall 2012
Contents
Lead by Example
Come Correct!
Kola Fagbayi of Shell
The Programs Zone
Veronica Davis Honored as White House ‘Champion’
A Catalyst for Change
NSBE and ExxonMobil Reward Retention ‘Impact’
Dr. Baratunde Cola Earns Presidential Research Award
Regional News
In the Lead
At the Vanguard
Staying Connected in Today’s Business World
Back to Indiana
NSBE Calendar
Seek 2012: An Experience Worth the Ride
The PDC Is Coming Soon, to Dallas!
The Professional’s Perspective
The Space SIG Lifts Off
CE Cover: Status:FALSE
Alumni Officers
Biggest and Best
What’s in a Name?
AE National and Regional Websites
Advertisers Index

NSBE - Fall 2012