Rice Engineer Honored for Outstanding Achievements in Dynamics

HOUSTON – (May 31, 2024) – Pol Spanos, the Lewis B. Ryon Professor of Mechanical and Civil Engineering at Rice University, has been granted the prestigious 2024 Blaise Pascal Medal in Engineering by the European Academy of Sciences in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to the field of dynamics.”

Spanos, a Rice University faculty member since 1984, earned the accolade for his “theoretical advancements, encompassing techniques like equivalent linearization and statistical quadratization. These contributions have profoundly enhanced our understanding of structural dynamics, enabling more precise predictions and guiding engineers in making more informed decisions.”

The Blaise Pascal Medal, named after the renowned French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), will formally be awarded to Spanos during the European Academy of Sciences Symposium and Ceremony, set for Oct. 29-30, 2024, in Lisbon, Portugal.

Apart from his involvement with the European Academy of Sciences, Spanos is affiliated with numerous prestigious institutions, including the National Academy of Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Academy of Europe, the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, and the National Academy of Greece. His recognitions further extend to memberships in the Russian Academy of Engineering, the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Additionally, Spanos holds fellow status within the American Academy of Mechanics and the Engineering Mechanics Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Throughout his illustrious academic career, Spanos has mentored over 55 doctoral candidates and more than 75 master's students. He holds a secondary appointment in materials science and nanoengineering. His work has led to the publication of over 400 technical papers and the authorship or editing of more than 20 books and conference volumes. For over 30 years, he has been the editor-in-chief for two significant publications: the International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics and Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics.

Spanos has also served as the president of the Engineering Mechanics Institute and chaired the executive board of the International Association for Structural Safety and Reliability. He holds honorary memberships in both the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the ASCE, signifying the highest honor these organizations bestow. Among his many honors, Spanos is also a recipient of the renowned ASME Gold Medal, the institution’s most distinguished award.

— Written by Patrick Kurp, science writer at the George R. Brown School of Engineering

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CAPTION: Pol Spanos, the Lewis B. Ryon Professor of Mechanical and Civil Engineering at Rice University.