Faculty Award to Help Bring Guests to Enrich Undergraduate Experience
Alessandro F. Rotta Loria received an Alumnae of Northwestern University grant to bring guest artists, scholars to campus
Northwestern Engineering's Alessandro F. Rotta Loria has been named a 2020-21 recipient of The Alumnae of Northwestern University’s Award for Academic Enrichment Grants to bring distinguished scholars and speakers to campus to enhance the undergraduate experience.
The funds support Rotta Loria, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, in gathering world-renowned experts for a daylong summit on “Earth-Human Interactions: Sustainability and Development,” scheduled for April 7, 2021. Co-sponsored by the Center for Engineering Sustainability and Resilience, and the Institute for Sustainability and Energy, this summit will address the analysis of questions, problems, and solutions that result from human interactions with the Earth, both above and below the surface, with a focus on energy, climate and the environment, and urban transformations.
The program primarily aims at expanding the educational and cultural experience of a large audience within the Northwestern community, including undergraduate and graduate students and faculty, while also being open to the industry and other stakeholders. By recognizing excellence across the fields of applied sciences and engineering, physical sciences, social sciences and architecture, this summit ultimately pursues the objective of informing and inspiring present and future leaders.
Rotta Loria is one of seven grant recipients who will split more than $24,000. These grants will provide seed money for faculty-sponsored projects that address issues related to astronomy and planetary science, criminal justice, theatre, music, sustainability, the environment, and climate change. His research interests include fundamental and applied problems centered on the mechanics of geomaterials and structural systems in the context of energy production and storage.
Other recipients include Vicky Kalogera and Shane Larson from the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences; Jennifer Lackey and Sophia Ruark, also from Weinberg; Rives Collins from the School of Communication; and Ryan Dohoney from the Bienen School of Music.
The Alumnae of Northwestern University is an all-volunteer organization of women that raises funds for a wide range of projects to benefit the University and also shares the University's academic resources with the community through its Continuing Education program. Founded in 1916, The Alumnae have given $9 million to the University in the form of grants, fellowships, scholarships, an endowed professorship and summer internships.