|
Associated Students of the University of Washington |
|
|
A Resolution in Recognition of Professor Yoky Matsuoka WHEREAS, Yoky Matsuoka, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington, has been named one of this year's MacArthur Fellows by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and; WHEREAS, the MacArthur grants, first awarded in June 1981, are given each year to United States residents of any age and in any field who show "exceptional creativity in their work and the prospect for still more in the future" so they can pursue their creative activities without specific obligations or reporting requirements, and; WHEREAS, typically only 20 to 30 Fellows are selected each year and since it’s inception 756 Fellows have been named, and; WHEREAS, this award includes a no-strings-attached stipend of $500,000, paid out in equal quarterly installments over five years, and; WHEREAS, recipients cannot apply for the honor and are unaware of being nominated until notified that they have won, and; WHEREAS, There are few women in the sciences and even fewer who are associate professor, and; WHEREAS, Professor Matsuoka came the University of Washington as an Assistant Professor from Carnegie Mellon University in 2006, and; WHEREAS, Matsuoka directs the UW's Neurobotics Laboratory (a name combining "neuroscience" and "robotics"), which creates novel robots that can help people with disabilities or restricted mobility, and; WHEREAS, Matsuoka and her team seek to make lifelike robots that engage in a variety of human activities for many purposes, including elderly healthcare, household assistance and companionship, and; WHEREAS, Matsuoka’s robotics research uniquely is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an organization which exclusively funds medical research, and; WHEREAS, Matsuoka’s other recent awards include: Anna Loomis McCandless Faculty Chair (2004); the White House’s Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (2004); and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) Early Career Award in Robotics and Automation (2005), and; WHEREAS, Matsuoka was also named one of the Brilliant Ten by Popular Science in October 2007. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON: THAT, the ASUW formally congratulates Professor Matsuoka for the prestigious honor of being named a MacArthur Fellow THAT, Professor Matsuoka be commended for her outstanding research efforts, creativity and service to the University of Washington and the greater community, and; THAT, the University of Washington students, faculty and staff continue to work toward applying their knowledge and use creative solutions to, and; THAT, upon passage, copies of this resolution be forwarded to Professor Matsuoka, Hank Levy (Department of Computer Science and Engineering Chair), Interim Dean Ron Irving (College of Arts and Sciences), Provost Phyllis Wise, and President Mark Emmert, and; THAT, we invite Professor Matsuoka to the next Senate meeting for which she is available to receive this award from the Senate. References: Matsuoka's Faculty Web page: http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/yoky/ UW computer engineer wins MacArthur Foundation 'genius' award UW Office of News and Information Sept. 24, 2007 http://uwnews.org/article.asp?articleID=36725 Popular Science http://www.popsci.com/popsci/science/8986e1bddf565110vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd/9.html History of Legislation 10/22/2007: Submitted for consideration |
Legislation ID: Date Submitted: Sponsor: Cosponsor(s):
|