Chief scientist earns accolades for authorship

  • Published
  • By Rex Swenson
  • Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  An Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate chief scientist recently received an award for co-authoring a technical paper entitled, "A Study of Impact Response of Electrified Organic Matrix Composites."

This paper, written by Dr. Bob Sierakowski, was named the American Society of Composites Best Technical Paper for the 21st Annual Technical Conference.

"I am truly honored to be recognized by this organization," Dr. Sierakowski said about his selection for the award.

Dr. Sierakowski and co-authors, Dr. Olesya Zhupanska and I. Y. Telichev, received the prestigious award at the ASC's annual technical conference Sept. 18 at the University of Washington.

"The society is an all-volunteer group of dedicated professionals in academia, industry, national laboratories and federal agencies who work together to provide a communication forum for the engineering and scientific community in composites," said Dr. Ozden O. Ochoa, ASC president. "(They) expedite the growth of knowledge gained from interdisciplinary engineering and scientific research and to promote the exploitation of the unique properties of composite materials in emerging applications."

As chief scientist of the Munitions Directorate, Dr. Sierakowski provides scientific guidance and advice to the director of the Munitions Directorate as well as the AFRL commander on research plans and programs in conventional weapon system and armament basic research. He advises on the relative status of scientific and technical competence within the directorate; the employment of consultants and experts; as well as the state of technology available from sources outside of the directorate.

Prior to this juncture in his long and prestigious career, Dr. Sierakowski functioned in several positions within the engineering community, but his forte is as an educator and consultant and advisor to military organizations. Due to his achievements in these areas, he was chosen to fill his present position in 1997. The Connecticut native has authored or co-authored more than 150 publications including three technical books.

This body of work parallels the ASC's primary purpose, which is to build extensive networks nationally and internationally by participating and co-sponsoring significant symposia and conferences. The Annual Technical Conference takes place at a different university campus each year, enabling a vibrant gathering for intimate exchanges among colleagues and students.