Betti, Pullara honored by Hajim School

Riccardo Betti, the Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Eileen Pullaro, the Department Administrator in Computer Science, were honored at the Hajim School’s annual fall reception on Thursday, Sept. 5.

Betti, who is also a Professor of Physics, Director of the Fusion Science Center of Extreme States of Matter and Fast Ignition, and Scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE), received the school’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

“We are very fortunate to have a scientist of his caliber,” said Hajim School Dean Rob Clark.

Betti’s leadership and discoveries in the field of inertial confinement fusion have led to such awards as:

• The U.S. Department of Energy's Ernest O. Lawrence Award (2011)
• A Leadership Award (2010) from the Fusion Power Associates
• The Edward Teller Medal (2009) from the American Nuclear Society

Read more on Betti’s contributions.

Pullara received the school’s Outstanding Staff Member of the Year Award. Clark commended her for being a “hardworking, dedicated professional, who brings out the best in everyone with whom she interacts.”

Whether planning a research conference, coordinating a new Masters program, or helping faculty take advantage of new research funding opportunities, “Eileen Pullara’s achievements have strengthened the reputation of the Computer Science department and helped to further the mission of the Hajim School,” Clark said.

Clark credited Pullara for helping organize last year’s Big Data Forum, and for “proactively” managing the department’s $3.8 million budget. “As a result of her work, her department’s finances and records are in excellent shape. Whenever audited, her department has received a perfect bill of health.”

“In 2011, she completed 40 years of service at the University of Rochester and shows no indication of slowing down,” Clark noted.