Virginia Davis, faculty member in Auburn University’s Department of Chemical Engineering, has been selected to participate in the National Academy of Engineering’s (NAE) 17th annual U.S. Frontiers of Engineering symposium, a three-day event that will be held in September at Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.  

Davis, whose research in nanomaterials dispersion, microstructure and processing was recognized last year with a Presidential Early Career for Scientists and Engineers Award, or PECASE, is one of 85 young engineers selected from among more than 300 applicants performing exceptional engineering research and technical work in industry, academia or government.  

“The young engineering innovators of today are solving the grand challenges that face us in the coming century,” says NAE President Charles M. Vest. “We are proud that our Frontiers of Engineering program brings this diverse group of people together and gives them an opportunity to share and showcase their work.”  

Participants will examine topics such as additive manufacturing, engineering sustainable buildings, neuroprosthetics and semantic processing.  

Davis is the department’s third faculty member in three years to participate in the Frontiers of Engineering symposium. Mario Eden, Joe T. and Billie Carole McMillan associate professor, attended the 2010 symposium. Mark Byrne, Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden associate professor, served as a 2009 participant and helped to organize last year’s event.  

Information about the Frontiers of Engineering symposium is available here.