Air Force grant goes to engineering professor

Gopinath

Juliet T. Gopinath, an assistant professor of electrical, computer, and energy engineering has won an Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Young Investigator Program Award.

She was among 43 scientists and engineers at research institutions across the United States who will receive $16.5 million in grants. Her winning proposal deals with the phase and frequency control of laser arrays for pulse synthesis.

The objective of this program is to foster creative basic research in science and engineering, enhance early career development of outstanding young investigators, and increase opportunities for the young investigators to recognize the Air Force mission and the related challenges in science and engineering.

According to AFOSR officials, competition for the YIP award is intense. This year, the office received 242 proposals in response to the AFOSR broad agency announcement solicitation in major areas of interest to the Air Force. The areas of interest include: aerospace, chemical and material sciences; physics and electronics; and mathematics, information and life sciences. AFOSR officials select proposals based on the evaluation criteria listed in the broad agency announcement. Those selected will receive the grants over a three- to five-year period.