Alice Agogino facts for kids

Alice Merner Agogino, born in 1952, is an amazing American mechanical engineer. She is well-known for her important work in two main areas. First, she helps more women and people of color get into engineering. Second, she does a lot of research on artificial intelligence (AI), which is about making computers think like humans. She also studies computer-aided design, smart learning systems, and wireless sensor networks.

In 1997, Alice Agogino was chosen to be a member of the National Academy of Engineering. This was because of her smart ideas using AI and her efforts to make engineering education better for everyone.

Alice Agogino's Early Life and School

Alice Agogino started her journey at the University of New Mexico. She earned her first degree in mechanical engineering in 1975. After that, she went to the University of California, Berkeley and got her master's degree three years later.

She then continued her studies at Stanford University. There, she focused on how engineering and economic systems work together. She earned her Ph.D. in 1984, completing her advanced education.

Her Career and Discoveries

Alice Agogino began her career even before finishing college. From 1972 to 1973, she worked as a project engineer for Dow Chemical Company. While studying for her master's and during her first year of Ph.D. studies, she was a mechanical engineer and systems expert at General Electric.

In 1979, she started her own company, Agogino Engineering, which is still active today. She also spent time as a systems analyst for SRI in 1980. From 1980 to 1981, she led the Women in Engineering program at Santa Clara University. This program helped encourage more women to join engineering fields.

In 1984, Alice Agogino became a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Today, she holds a special position there as the Roscoe and Elizabeth Hughes Professor of Mechanical Engineering.

From 1995 to 1999, she was an associate dean at Berkeley's College of Engineering. She also directed the Instructional Technology Program from 1999 to 2001. The National Science Foundation has supported her work with Synthesis, a program that helps improve engineering education for college students.

Her current research focuses on two exciting areas:

• Sustainable Technology: This means creating technology that is good for the environment and can last a long time.
• AI/Robotics for Good: This involves using artificial intelligence and robots to solve important problems and help people.

In 2017, she helped start a company called Squishy Robotics, Inc., where she is the CEO. This company creates special robots that can help in emergencies.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Alice Agogino has received many honors for her amazing work. She is a fellow of several important scientific groups, including:

• The National Academy of Engineering (since 1997)
• The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• The European Academy of Science
• The Association of Women in Science
• The American Society of Mechanical Engineers

She is also a member of the Society of Women Engineers and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Here are some of the awards she has received:

• Presidential Young Investigator Award from the National Science Foundation (1985)
• Young Manufacturing Engineer of the Year from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (1987)
• Director's Award for Distinguished Teaching Scholars from the National Science Foundation (2004)
• Chancellor's Award for Advancing Institutional Excellence from Berkeley (2006)
• Professor of the Year from Pi Tau Sigma Berkeley (2011)
• Lifetime Mentoring Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2012–2013)
• Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics & Engineering Mentoring (2018)
• Athena Award for Academic Leadership (2020). This award was given on March 6, 2020, at a special event in Berkeley.

See also

In Spanish: Alice Agogino para niños