"These awards, which were inaugurated last year, elevate the University's recognition of the extraordinary research contributions of our faculty," said Jill Pipher, Brown's vice president for research and a professor of mathematics. "Each of these individual award winners has transformed research fields through deep scholarship and creative solutions to complex problems."
Pipher and Brown Provost Richard M. Locke presented the awards to recipients at a Celebration of Research program held at Brown's Faculty Club.
"Research is central to Brown's mission," Locke said. "It is crucial to innovation and discovery and essential for advancing just, peaceful and prosperous societies locally and globally. Research is also vital to our quest to educate highly capable leaders across the disciplines, and we celebrate these award winners for their commitment to excellence, exceptional collaboration and mentoring of the next generation of scholars."
Nominations for the awards were sought in six categories and then reviewed by panels of Brown faculty. In addition to the awards, each winner received a $5,000 research stipend.
Gao earned a Distinguished Research Achievement Award. He was cited for lasting contributions in his primary field, the mechanics of solids and structures, such as in the mechanics of thin films and nanostructured and energy storage materials. He has been recognized by many professional organizations with their highest awards, including the Theodore von Karman Medal from the American Society of Civil Engineers, and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
The other winners of the 2018 Research Achievement Awards are: Erica Larschan (molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry), Rose McDermott (international relations), Itohan Osayimwese (history of art and architecture), Stefanie Tellex (computer science), and Rena Wing (psychiatry and human behavior).