Following a legacy of award winning researchers and scientists, a team member in the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory of the U.S Army Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, Mississippi, recently earned recognition on the national level.
Dr. Carlos Gonzalez of GSL’s Engineering Systems and Materials Division was selected as this year’s winner of the Great Minds in STEM-2017 HENAAC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement.
HENAAC award recipients are engineers and scientists within the Hispanic community who are science, technology, engineering and mathematics leaders and innovators, representing the best and brightest minds our nation has to offer.
The award recognizes individuals who have made a significant technological contribution to STEM through research or by designing, developing, managing or assisting in the development of a product, system, service or intellectual property.
Gonzalez, a research civil engineer for 31 years, is one the Army’s leading experts in pavement design and evaluation of airfields. His research has saved millions of dollars and provided field engineers from across the Department of Defense with the necessary tools to construct, maintain and improve airfield pavement infrastructure in support of our armed forces.
In his announcement of the award, ERDC Director Dr. David Pittman wrote, “Dr. Gonzalez boasts an exceptional record in technical achievement and in mentoring. We at the ERDC are very proud of his accomplishment.”
Gonzalez earned his bachelor’s and master’s in civil engineering at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaquez. He earned his doctorate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in transportation engineering. Apart from his education, experience and technical expertise, Gonzalez is an active mentor to young engineers, scientists and students.
GSL Director Bart Durst said, "I am very proud of Dr. Carlos Gonzalez's accomplishment in being awarded the HENAAC Outstanding Technical Achievement Award. With more than 30 years of experience, he is one of the Army's leading experts in pavement design and evaluation of airfields. He is also a dedicated mentor, giving countless hours to teaching, coaching and encouraging young engineers."
Great Minds in STEM has a long tradition of honoring civilian and military personnel in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Gonzalez and other award recipients were honored at the annual HENAAC Conference held in Pasadena, California, during October.