Adrienne Stiff-Roberts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adrienne Stiff-Roberts
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| Alma mater | Spelman College (B.S.) Georgia Institute of Technology (B.S.E.E.) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Electrical engineering |
| Institutions | Duke University |
Adrienne Stiff-Roberts is an American electrical engineer and a special professor at Duke University. She studies new types of materials that can be used in devices that work with light and energy.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Adrienne Stiff-Roberts started her journey in science by earning a bachelor's degree in physics from Spelman College in 1991. While she was there, she joined a special program for women in science and engineering, which was supported by NASA. This program allowed her to work as an intern at the Ames Research Center during the summer.
After Spelman, she went to the Georgia Institute of Technology. In 1999, she earned another bachelor's degree, this time in engineering. She then continued her studies at the University of Michigan. There, she focused on tiny light sensors called quantum dot photodetectors. She earned her PhD in 2004. During her studies, she received important support from groups like the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and AT&T Labs. She also received an award from the Burroughs Wellwellcome Fund.
Research and Career
Dr. Stiff-Roberts joined Duke University in 2004. She leads a lab that works with a cool technology called Resonant Infrared Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation, or RIR-MAPLE. This method is like a super-precise way to build new materials. Imagine freezing a liquid that has tiny building blocks inside it. Then, a special laser blasts these frozen blocks in a vacuum. The laser is tuned to hit just the right parts of the frozen liquid, allowing scientists to control exactly how the new material is made.
One exciting project Dr. Stiff-Roberts is working on is creating perovskite solar cells with another scientist, David Mitzi. These cells are a new type of solar panel that could make clean energy even better.
Helping Future Engineers
Dr. Stiff-Roberts also cares a lot about helping more people get into engineering, especially those from groups that are not always well-represented. At Duke University, she runs a program called the Student Engineers Network, Strengthening Opportunities in Research (SENSOR) Saturday Academy. This program helps minority students in 8th grade learn more about engineering.
In 2017, she was part of Duke University's celebration of "Hidden Figures". This event honored the amazing but often overlooked contributions of African-American women in science and math. She is also a member of the National Society of Black Physicists, which supports Black physicists.
In 2019, Dr. Stiff-Roberts was recognized for her important work and became the Jeffrey N. Vinik Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Stiff-Roberts has received many awards for her excellent work:
- 2020 ECE Willie Hobbs Moore Distinguished Alumni Lectureship.
- 2016 Julian Abele Award for Graduate Mentor of the Year from Duke University.
- 2009 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Early Career Award in Nanotechnology.
- 2008 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from the Office of Naval Research.
- 2007 Young Investigator Program Award from the Office of Naval Research.
- 2006 National Science Foundation CAREER Award.
See also
In Spanish: Adrienne Stiff-Roberts para niños
