AU Aerospace Engineering Professor Roy Receives Award at White House Ceremony

In a recent ceremony at the White House, Christopher Roy, assistant professor in aerospace engineering at Auburn University, was honored with a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers for his work with the verification and validation processes used in computational science programs.

Christopher Roy accepting award

From left to right: Samuel Bodman, U.S. Secretary of Energy; Chris Roy; Thomas P. D'Agostino, Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, DOE National Nuclear Security Administration; and Raymond L. Orbach, DOE Under Secretary for Science

Roy is one of seven researchers recognized by the Department of Energy, and one of 56 researchers who received this year's presidential award. He was nominated for the award by the National Nuclear Security Administration's national security laboratories in recognition of his work in support of the administration's national security mission.

"It's an amazing honor to receive a PECASE," says Roy. "It's a privilege to have my work acknowledged in this manner, and I look forward to continuing my research and furthering the development of engineering education."

Chris Roy receives handshake

Roy and Bodman

Roy earned the award for his work on the development of verification (mathematical accuracy) and validation (physical accuracy) methods for improving accuracy in computational science and engineering simulations, unsteady hybrid turbulence models for fluid dynamics simulations, and high quality educational opportunities for the next generation of American scientists and engineers.

"The usual process for research and testing is to build it, test it, fix it and repeat," Roy says. "My goal is to help research move from constant repetitive testing to a more simulation-oriented process."

The PECASE, established in 1996, honors the most promising researchers in the nation within their fields. Nine federal departments and agencies annually nominate scientists and engineers whose work shows exceptional promise for leadership at the frontiers of scientific knowledge.

The presidential award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers in the beginning of their independent careers. Each presidential award winner received a citation, a plaque and a five-year commitment for continued funding of their work.

Biographical information on the winners and their award citations are available at http://www.science.doe.gov/Accomplishments_Awards/PECASE/PECASE.htm