Friday, January 21, 2011
President Obama To Honor USC Professor With Math, Science Award
A University of Southern California professor with a specialty in robotics is one of eleven individuals being honored by President Obama next week, as part of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. According to the White House, Obama will be awarding Maja J. Mataric, who is a Professor of Professor of Computer Science, Neuroscience, and Pediatrics at the University of Southern California, at a ceremony at the White House next week. Dr. Mataric is the only honoree from California. The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring are given each year to individuals who have mentored students studying science or engineering. In addition to the award, the recipients also receive $10,000. Mataric's work focuses on creating robots to help people, particularly those with special needs. Mataric's work was featured last year at the TEDxUSC event, which was organized by USC's Stevens Insitute for Innovation.