Awards and Accolades

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Amit Ashok, professor, James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences

Amit Ashok, professor, James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences

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Mark Phillips, associate research professor, James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences

Mark Phillips, associate research professor, James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences

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Pierre Lucas, professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Pierre Lucas, professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

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The Applied Research Building, which officially opened in April, won Best Project in the Higher Education/Research category in ENR Southwest's 2023 Best Projects competition.

The Applied Research Building, which officially opened in April, won Best Project in the Higher Education/Research category in ENR Southwest's 2023 Best Projects competition.

Two professors named fellows of optical sciences society

Amit Ashok, professor, and Mark Phillips, associate research professor, both in the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, have been named to the Optica 2024 fellows class. Optica, formerly known as OSA, is an optics and photonics society dedicated to promoting the study and application of knowledge in the field. According to the organization, fellows are selected annually by its board of directors based on factors including "outstanding contributions to research, business, education, engineering and service to Optica and our community."

Ashok was selected in recognition of his development of information-optimal imaging and sensing platforms across the electromagnetic spectrum. He directs the college's Intelligent Imaging and Sensing Lab, which focuses on optical imaging and computational sensing research. Phillips was selected for his contributions to broadband laser spectroscopy and applications to gas sensing, characterization of solids and plasma diagnostics.

The fellows will be honored at Optica events throughout 2024.

Professor named fellow by American Ceramic Society

Pierre Lucas, professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, has been named a fellow of the American Ceramic Society. The organization grants fellowships to society members who have either contributed significant scholarship to the field of ceramic sciences or offered outstanding service to the society.

ACS is a national nonprofit organization that seeks to advance the study and use of ceramics and related materials.

Lucas, whose research centers on the applications of chalcogenide glasses and phase change materials, has published a book and more than 100 scholarly articles. He is a former chair of the ACS Glass and Optical Materials Division and continues to serve as associate editor for the organization's journal. He has chaired two international conferences on glass and optical materials.

Details on a ceremony recognizing the fellows are still being finalized.

University wins three best project awards from ENR Southwest

The University of Arizona has won three awards in ENR Southwest's 2023 Best Projects competition, which celebrates outstanding architectural and engineering endeavors within the region.

"A panel of industry judges reviewed around 80 entries in a variety of categories, examining factors such as safety, innovation, craft quality and community or industry benefit," according to ENR Southwest in its announcement. The University's awards are below.

ENR Southwest is a regional publication of the Engineering News-Record magazine and serves Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. All awards were presented at a ceremony in October.

Earlier this year, Planning, Design and Construction was named the ENR Southwest 2023 Owner of the Year.


We want to know about your good news. If you, your team or a colleague has won any major awards, been honored nationally or internationally, or accomplished some other major feat that deserves recognition, let us know about it.

To submit your news, please send us an email with the following information:

  • Name of the person, team or unit receiving the honor with full University titles.
  • Information about the award/honor and the organization that granted it. Please include a link to the official announcement of the award/honor.
  • When the honor was announced and when it will be presented (or was presented).
  • A photo of the honoree. If others appear in the photo, please provide their names and identifying information, such as their University title or other affiliation.

Questions? Contact Lo Que Pasa at uaatwork@arizona.edu.


Isabel Miranda Kidwell is a student assistant writer in the Office of University Communications.

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