| |
SRI Fellows
The Fellowship Award recognizes exceptional staff members for their outstanding
accomplishments. It is SRI’s highest recognition for technical, scientific
or professional contributions. The Fellowship is given to individuals whose
work enhances SRI’s image as a leading research and problem-solving
organization.
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998
| 1997 | 1996 |
| 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990-1980 |
2007
 |
John Kelly, a physicist and program director for the Center for GeoSpace Studies in SRI's Engineering & Systems Division, has been for 25 years a leader in the use of incoherent scatter (IS) radar for remote atmospheric sensing. Under his direction, the SRI-run, NSF-funded facility in Sondrestrom, Greenland has become the world's leading radar of that kind, and his role in moving it from Alaska was a significant achievement. Dr. Kelly was also instrumental in promoting and establishing the Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radars (AMISR) program despite enormous logistical and political barriers, with the result that SRI is regarded as one of the highest-ranking institutions in IS radar research. |
 |
Adolf Pfefferbaum, director of the Neuroscience Program in SRI's Center for Health Sciences in the Policy Division, has been at the forefront of neuroimaging and electrophysiological research in normal aging and neuropsychiatric disorders for more than three decades. At SRI, he has focused on devising novel approaches for quantitative neuroimaging data to yield measures of brain structures and tissue composition (using magnetic resonance imaging, MRI), microstructure (MR diffusion tensor imaging, DTI), chemistry (magnetic resonance spectroscopy), and function (functional MRI) in the living human. Dr. Pfefferbaum’s research in chronic alcoholism has enabled detection of alcoholism's dynamic course, through drinking, sobriety, and relapse and has demonstrated an increased vulnerability of the aging brain to excessive drinking. Recently, he has implemented neuroimaging methods to parallel human conditions in animal models to identify mechanisms of harm with drinking and healing with sobriety. |
2006
 |
James Colton (bio), Director of SRI’s Poulter Laboratory, is an expert in the effects of explosions and impacts on structures. He has led many programs in which explosives are used to simulate a variety of dynamic effects. For example, he has developed an explosive device for simulating the hypervelocity impact of a chemical weapon. This device is being used to study the dispersion of the chemical agent and ultimately the consequences on the ground. In another project, he is developing a system for hardening windows against terrorist bombs that employs a novel technique to catch the glass and protect the building occupants. |
 |
Ronald Pelrine (profile), Program Director for SRI’s Mobile Robots and Transducers Program, focuses his work in areas that often fall between traditional engineering and physics. He has developed new technology in electroactive polymers, magnetic levitation, robots and robotic mobility, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and sensing. He is a principal inventor of dielectric elastomers, a type of electroactive polymer often referred to as artificial muscle. He believes that some of the most exciting technical advances come from ideas that appear unlikely to work, such as engines made from rubbery polymers. |
2005
|
Patrick Lincoln, Director of SRI's Computer Science Laboratory, leads research in the fields of formal methods, computer security and privacy, computational biology, scalable distributed systems, and nanoelectronics. He has directed multidisciplinary groups for high-impact research projects including symbolic systems biology, scalable anomaly detection, exquisitely sensitive biosensor systems, strategic reasoning and game theory, and privacy-preserving data sharing and analysis. For example, he developed a method to address sublithographic-scale electronic devices using modulation doping of nanowires.
|
|
Ripudaman Malhotra, Associate Director of SRI's Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory, considers himself a soldier in President Jimmy Carter’s "moral equivalent of war" to gain energy independence. He has worked extensively on the processing, properties, and analysis of coal, oil, and natural gas. By conducting detailed mechanistic studies in these systems, he has developed innovative processes to achieve desired product selectivity and increased efficiencies. His work on coal liquefaction and pyrolysis resulted in identification of novel pathways for hydrogen transfer by which strong bonds in coals are broken, and his work on fullerenes led to the discovery of the catalytic properties of the fullerene soot—the by-product—for hydrocarbon processing. |
2004
 |
Jeff Bottaro, formerly a scientist in SRI's Chemical and Engineering Processes Laboratory, has had a lifelong fascination with the chemistry of nitrogen, which is a centerpiece of the phenomenology of both drugs and explosives. After he joined SRI, he began work to develop novel energetic materials for use as explosives and propellants. From this research, came ammonium dinitramide (ADN), a high-energy material crucial to the secret Soviet preemptive missile program, but unknown in the West. SRI now holds several patents for its manufacture. Bottaro is now exploring synthetic methods for other, novel energetic materials and medical applications for the electronically unique dinitramide anion.
|
 |
John Rushby, Program Director for Formal Methods and Dependable Systems at SRI, works on automated methods for analyzing correctness properties of software designs. In this approach, designs are treated as logical formulas, and their properties are calculated using techniques from automated theorem proving. Under his leadership for the last 15 years, the Formal Methods program in the Computer Science Laboratory is recognized worldwide as one of the leaders in this field, and has developed techniques and tools that are widely used in teaching and research. His own specialty is in the application of these methods to security and safety-critical systems and has been influential in their adoption by industry. |
2003
 |
Barbara Means, Co-director of SRI's Center for Technology in Learning, studies the interplay between technology and educational reform. She is regarded as a leader in defining issues and approaches for evaluating the implementation and efficacy of technology-supported educational innovations. Her research has led to a better understanding of the different learning goals high- and low-poverty schools pursue in their use of technology. She has highlighted the implications of these differences for students' opportunity to master complex content in presentations to policymakers, including a Congressional subcommittee. She was a key contributor to the description of learning technologies in the highly influential National Research Council publication How People Learn.
|
 |
Gregory Smith, Senior Research Chemist in SRI's Molecular Physics Laboratory, has investigated the chemical kinetics of combustion, the atmosphere, and other gas phase processes. His work includes the development and application of optical techniques such as laser induced fluorescence to species measurements in flames and to specific reaction rate determinations. He also specializes in theoretical methods to extrapolate or estimate reaction rates, and modeling of processes to establish quantitative links between observations or outcomes, and chemical reactions and uncertainties. This has included a collaboration to develop the widely used, optimized GRIMech mechanism for natural gas combustion. |
2002
 |
Lawrence Toll, Senior Program Director, Neuropharmacology in SRI's Biosciences Division, has studied the pharmacology of drug abuse since joining SRI. He has teamed with medicinal and computational chemists to design and evaluate novel opiates and opiate-like compounds that may act as analgesics with reduced addiction liability. In grants and contracts with the National Institute on Drug Abuse he has been involved in the Opiate and Cocaine Treatment Discovery Programs for the development of effective treatment medications. He was involved in the discovery of nociceptin, the endogenous neurotransmitter for a member of the opiate receptor family. This has led to collaborations with computer scientists for the computational identification and biological verification of additional peptide neurotransmitters and hormones.
|
 |
David E. Cooper, Director of SRI's Optical Sensing Program in SRI's Physical Sciences Division, is an expert in optical physics and laser spectroscopy. He pioneered the application of tunable semiconductor diode lasers to trace chemical analysis using frequency modulation spectroscopy, and has developed spectroscopic instrumentation for a variety of industrial, environmental, and military applications. More recently, he has applied optical sensing methods to the detection of chemical and biological weapons. His current research is focused on the development of sensitive detection systems for biological warfare defense using upconverting phosphor technology. This work has led to the development of several novel sensor platforms that are being utilized by the U.S. Department of Defense. |
2001
 |
Keith R. Laderoute, Director of SRI's Cancer Biology Program in the Biosciences Division, is an expert in the biology of the tumor microenvironment. His work in the Cancer Biology Program includes fundamental studies of gene expression in tumor and normal cells exposed to low oxygen conditions, and mechanisms of action of anticancer drugs active in such microenvironments. His current research is focused on helping SRI scientists to develop predictive computer models of how cells receive and interpret signals from their environment. These in silico models could augment the ability of biomedical researchers to develop new pharmaceuticals.
|
 |
Peter G. Neumann, Principal Scientist in SRI's Computer Science Laboratory, is concerned with computer systems, networks, security, reliability, survivability, safety, election-system integrity, and privacy. With doctorates from Harvard and Darmstadt, he moderates the ACM Risks Forum, chairs the ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy, and cofounded People For Internet Responsibility. He authored "Computer-Related Risks". He is a member of the U.S. General Accounting Office information technology executive council, and the National Science Foundation CISE advisory board. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. His Web site gives more background. |
2000
 |
Kristien Mortelmans, Senior Microbiologist in SRI's Biosciences Division, is an expert in screening chemicals with the bacterial Ames Salmonella assay, which is used on a worldwide basis as an initial screen to determine the mutagenic potential of new chemicals and drugs. The test is also used for submission of data to regulatory agencies for registration or acceptance of many chemicals. She isolated the mutagenesis-enhancing plasmid pKM101, which played a crucial role in making the Ames assay highly sensitive to many mutagens. She also is a recognized researcher in the field of environmental, medical and industrial microbiology.
|
 |
Marcy Berding, Senior Research Physicist in SRI's Applied Optics Laboratory, has done extensive work on the properties of defects in semiconductors. Her approach combines state-of-the-art ab initio calculations with thermodynamics to develop a better understanding of how defects behave as a function of growth and processing conditions. This approach has been applied to predict process improvements for materials used for infrared detectors (HgCdTe) and for x- and gamma-ray detectors (CdZnTe). |
1999
 |
Charles A. Tyson was a toxicologist in SRI's Biosciences Division most recognized for his contributions of developing, evaluating and using in vitro systems for understanding or predicting in vivo response. He conducted studies that collectively demonstrated the validity of primary cell cultures to assess biological effects that can occur following animal or human exposure to drugs and chemicals. His research showed the power of in vitro screens for comparative metabolism and transport, cytotoxic potentials to target organs, and drug efficacy for treating diseases and poison overdose. Dr. Tyson passed away in 2004.
|
 |
Earl G. Blackwell, a Senior Technical Advisor in SRI's Engineering & Systems Division, is an expert in Global Positioning System (GPS)technology and its applications to solving real-world problems. His multidisciplinary research and development of tracking and navigation systems expanded the capabilities of this country’s military resources. GPS technologies for precise positioning of air, ground and space vehicles led to successful testing of the first exo-atmospheric intercept missile defense system. He also pioneered development of highly accurate submeter all-weather weapon delivery for the U.S. Air Force, including GPS attitude techniques—for battlefield training—that reduce dependence on laser scoring devices. |
1998
 |
David R. Crosley, a Senior Staff Scientist in SRI's Molecular Physics Laboratory, is an expert in laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy and collision studies of small molecules. His work includes fundamental studies in these areas, and their applications to measurements in flames, the atmosphere, materials processing and environmental monitoring. Measurements made at SRI and elsewhere, using specific techniques and general protocols developed at SRI, have led to an improved understanding of the chemistry of these processes. |
1997
 |
Tom G. Slanger, a Senior Staff Scientist in SRI's Molecular Physics Laboratory, is a recognized authority on the chemistry of the upper atmosphere and the night airglow. He recently brought to the attention of the community of researchers in this field the fact that large optical telescopes, such as the 10-meter Keck telescope, routinely generate airglow spectra of a quality not previously seen. Extensive analysis of these spectra at SRI are providing new insights into upper atmospheric chemistry, energy flow and composition.
|
 |
Gary E. Swan, Director of SRI's Center for Health Sciences, is an expert in human health behavior. His research led to a better understanding of the process of relapse following the cessation of smoking. His work also demonstrated that there may be a psychoneurogenetic predisposition to the multiple use of alcohol and tobacco. He was named as the first editor-in-chief of Nicotine & Tobacco Research, the world’s first journal devoted exclusively to the peer-reviewed science of nicotine and tobacco. |
1996
 |
Theodore Mill is an expert in oxidation chemistry and the environmental fate of chemicals. His research on how reactions of sunlight and water change the molecular structure of chemicals in surface waters has led to better understanding of how these reactions occur and to better predictive models for them. Experimental methods for evaluating these chemical changes have been developed for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and for European regulatory agencies to enable regulators to conduct more reliable fate assessments on new chemicals introduced into the environment.
|
 |
Eric M. Pearson, Director of SRI's Applied Optics Laboratory, has made key technical contributions and played a leading role in the development of an extremely advanced technology with significant military and commercial applications. |
1995
 |
Mohsen Sanai is an internationally recognized expert on the behavior of energetic materials and computer simulation of shock propagation and impact dynamics. His research has led to the development of a unique low-density energetic material that has been used extensively for simulation of nuclear effects by U.S. defense agencies. His deep insight of computer simulation has advanced the state of the art in explosion safety analysis and natural gas safety research as well as the design of a class of affordable large-scale simulation tests that allow several orders of magnitude of variation in pressure. He holds a patent on a rigid low-density energetic material, is co-inventor of a foam energetic material and of a bomb-resistant luggage container, and has submitted patent applications for hypervelocity impact simulation techniques, antiarmor shields and antimine blankets. |
1992
 |
Enrique H. Ruspini (home page), Principal Scientist in SRI's Artificial Intelligence Center, is an expert in the modeling and control of systems operating in highly unstructured, uncertain, environments. He is one of the leading contributors to the development of fuzzy logic and its applications, having pioneered its use in pattern recognition and numerical classification. He has made noteworthy contributions to the development of reactive planners and controllers for intelligent robots and for collaborative teams of such devices. He is also known for theoretical advances explaining the basic concepts underlying approximate-reasoning methods.
|
 |
Charles "Capp" Spindt, Program Director (emeritus) of SRI's Vacuum Microelectronics Program, is a pioneering leader in vacuum microelectronics technology, field electron and ion emission devices, and high performance field-emitter array cathodes. He invented and developed techniques for the fabrication of sub-micron size field emission sources based on thin-film technology and advanced lithography systems. The Spindt cathode is a cold cathode with 100% efficiency that produces much higher current densities than traditional thermionic cathodes. Applications include flat-panel displays, microwave tubes, spacecraft charge management and vacuum integrated circuits. He has received the Society for Information. Display's 1996 Jan Rajchman Prize for the invention of field emission flat panel displays. |
1991
 |
Hanspeter Helm is an internationally recognized expert in optical and molecular physics. His research has focused on ion spectroscopy, imaging of photoelectrons in intense laser fields, and applications specific to semiconductor science.
|
 |
Richard C. Honey is an expert in microwave antennas and techniques. He created several novel antenna systems for government sponsors. When lasers were invented, he applied them to a number of areas that became of widespread importance. He participated in the development of some of the first laser photocoagulators for treating eye disorders, several types of lidar systems for the study of atmospheric phenomena, and the creation of several novel techniques for studying laser propagation in the sea. |
Click here to see more Fellows (1990 - 1980)
|
|
R&D Divisions