Raman & Tsai are 2012-13 Moncrief Grand Challenge Awards Winners

Dr. Venkat Raman, of associate professor of aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics, and Dr. Richard Tsai, associate professor of mathematics, are the 2012-13 recipients of the Moncrief Grand Challenge Awards at ICES.

Dr. Raman will use his award to improve computational modeling of photobioreactors for algae-based
fuel production.

Dr. Tsai will use his award to improve the security and effectiveness of coastal patrol.

The Moncrief Grand Challenge Awards provide resources to cover release time from teaching for UT Austin faculty for one or more semesters to work on ICES research and academic programs related to the Grand Challenges in computational engineering and sciences that affect the competitiveness and international standing of the nation. The program provides stipends of up to $75,000 per award per semester to cover salary and other expenses.