AFRL researchers awarded for outstanding contributions

  • Published
  • By Jeremy Gratsch and Holly Jordan
  • Air Force Research Laboratory
WRIGHT PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE --  Four Air Force Research Laboratory scientists and engineers were honored on April 24, 2014 at the Affiliate Societies Council of Dayton's 55th annual Awards Banquet. This event recognizes and honors outstanding contributions to technology, research, and the community.

This year, AFRL scientists and engineers were honored with four of the nine total awards. Mr. Carlos Arana and Dr. Jim Scofield from the Aerospace Systems Directorate received the Technical Leadership Award. Dr. Dean Evans and Dr. Reji John from the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate received the Technical Leadership Award and the Research Award, respectively.

Mr. Carlos Arana serves as chief of the AFRL Turbine Engine Systems Branch, where he directs over $1.2B of world-class turbine research efforts. He currently executes the Air Force's $165M/year joint advanced development efforts toward the performance, maintenance, and life standards demonstration and assessment of unique engine demonstrator programs.

Dr. Jim Scofield is a senior research engineer specializing in power electronics and semiconductor research. His Silicon Carbide power semiconductor research greatly advanced the cost-effective manufacturing of a wide range of efficient semiconductor products for military and commercial applications.

Dr. Dean Evans leads hardened materials and processing research and is vital in the development of optical materials in the area of countermeasures for personnel, tactical, and space systems. Dr. Evans' leadership influences research agendas throughout the Department of Defense and with international partners, and he has become a primary source of guidance to industry on emerging technologies.

Dr. Reji John is the research team lead for metals probabilistic performance prediction and is internationally recognized for pioneering research and development of life prediction methods for a broad range of aerospace materials. His combined experimental and analytical methods provide crucial physics-based understanding of material performance for the technical community.

The Affiliate Societies Council of Dayton was founded in 1966 to provide opportunities for practicing engineers, scientists and technologists to pursue continuing professional educational opportunities. Today the ASC consists of nearly 12,000 members from approximately 45 professional societies and provides career guidance for K-12 students, recognizes outstanding contributions in technology and management disciplines, and promotes a close working relationship among affiliated societies.