School of Engineering Embarks on First Hong Kong Student Exchange

cuaengineer
<strong>Engineering</strong> Alum Inducted into National Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences
Mario Acuna, Ph.D.
Catholic University engineering alumnus Mario
Acuna has been fascinated by space and the stars
ever since his undergraduate years in his native
Argentina. That fascination led him to a career in
space research and, most recently, induction into
the prestigious National Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences.
Acuna left Argentina in 1967, frustrated by
military intervention into university research
laboratories, and came to Washington, D.C. He
chose the nation’s capital largely for the area’s
space research opportunities. He then enrolled as
a graduate student in CUA’s then Space Science
program <strong>of</strong> the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Engineering</strong>, attracted
by the department’s NASA graduate study program
and the work <strong>of</strong> faculty members C. C. Chang and
Y. C. Whang. He received his Ph.D. from the <strong>School</strong>
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Engineering</strong> in 1974.
“Another important element in that decision
was the recognition by CUA <strong>of</strong> graduate work
completed in Argentina,” Acuna says.
He began working at NASA Goddard Space
Flight Center in 1969 and focused on planetary
exploration, including magnetic fields and plasmas.
“The discovery <strong>of</strong> the Jovian ring and the
magnetic fields <strong>of</strong> Mars stand out as major
achievements,” says Acuna <strong>of</strong> his research. He
is now a senior astrophysicist and project scientist
with the International Solar Terrestrial Physics
Program at NASA Goddard.
At the moment, he is working on several
missions, including Juno, a mission to Jupiter to
understand the origins <strong>of</strong> this planet; Messenger,
a mission to Mercury to understand the origin <strong>of</strong>
its magnetic field; and Stereo, a mission to study
the sun and space weather in multiple dimensions.
“Most <strong>of</strong> this research is associated with
experimental magnetic field studies, including
the development <strong>of</strong> specialized instruments for
these missions,” Acuna says. The instruments he
has developed include ion mass and electron
spectrometers to measure the properties <strong>of</strong> the
ambient space plasma.
“Having [these] instruments visit almost all
the planets and objects in the solar system and
carry out fundamental discoveries makes me
feel extremely privileged to contribute to our
knowledge <strong>of</strong> the solar system,” he says.
Acuna’s contributions to the scientific community
led to his selection to the NAS in 2007.
Established in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln, the
NAS is a private organization <strong>of</strong> scientists and
engineers that act as <strong>of</strong>ficial advisers to the federal
government in science or technology.
“It was an unexpected honor,” Acuna says.
“This kind <strong>of</strong> recognition by your peers is incredibly
rewarding and puts the research carried out
for the last 40 years in a special perspective.”
NASA Administrator Inaugurates Alumni Wall <strong>of</strong> Fame
Faced with an abundance <strong>of</strong> accomplished alumni,
the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Engineering</strong> has instituted the Wall
<strong>of</strong> Fame, which honors alumni who have reached
the pinnacle <strong>of</strong> their careers. Michael Griffin, Ph.D.,
M.S.E. 1974, administrator <strong>of</strong> NASA, first to be so
honored, was named to the wall on April 12, 2008.
Members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Engineering</strong> Executive
Committee and current external member Marion
Gosney, B.A. 1975, director <strong>of</strong> alumni relations,
selected Griffin. Nominees for the Wall <strong>of</strong> Fame
are evaluated by members <strong>of</strong> the Selection
Committee, comprising faculty and alumni <strong>of</strong> the
<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Engineering</strong>, with finalists presented to
the dean, who makes the final decision. The
nominees must be recognized nationally as excelling and at the top <strong>of</strong> their
careers, e.g., president <strong>of</strong> a university as an educator, or CEO <strong>of</strong> a major
company as an engineer, or head <strong>of</strong> a government agency as a government
employee. In addition to having his or her name inscribed on the Wall <strong>of</strong>
Fame, each honoree receives a commemorative plaque. The wall is to be
installed in the Alumni Garden outside Pangborn Hall.
Griffin received a Master <strong>of</strong> Science in <strong>Engineering</strong> degree in aerospace
science in 1974. In March 2005, he was appointed by President George W.
Bush to serve as the administrator <strong>of</strong> NASA. Prior to that appointment,
8 | cuaengineer
Dr. Michael Griffin, NASA Administrator
Griffin served as chief engineer at NASA, deputy
for technology at the Strategic Defense Initiative
Organization, and later as CEO <strong>of</strong> Magellan
Systems, Inc. He has worked in the field <strong>of</strong>
space exploration and research for many years
and was called “a superb choice to lead NASA at
this critical moment,” Griffin is known for his “bold
leadership style, deep passion for space and
rigorous commitment,” as well as for his extensive
experience in the field <strong>of</strong> space exploration and
research. Griffin has been an adjunct pr<strong>of</strong>essor
<strong>of</strong> spacecraft design, applied mathematics and
aeronautics at the University <strong>of</strong> Maryland, Johns
Hopkins University and George Washington University.
He has published numerous technical papers in aerospace science and is
the author <strong>of</strong> the textbook Space Vehicle Design — widely considered an
essential text in the field.
Introducing Griffin, junior mechanical engineering major Kalin Petersen
said, “You are an inspiring example and we are proud to have you as an
esteemed Catholic University alumnus and to congratulate you on being the
first-ever inductee into the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Engineering</strong> Wall <strong>of</strong> Fame.” In his
acceptance speech, Griffin expressed joy at receiving this recognition from
his alma mater and pride in being a “true” engineer.