Pair of SCS Faculty Named Science Talent Search Notable Alumni
Thursday, March 31, 2022 - by Aaron Aupperlee
The Society for Science included renowned Carnegie Mellon University computer scientists Mary Shaw and Dana Scott in its recent list of notable alumni from the Science Talent Search program.
The Science Talent Search is the oldest and among the most prestigious science and mathematics competitions in the country. It started in 1942 as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search to honor exceptional high school students.
"The Society for Science has long identified young people who are poised to take on the scientific challenges of their time. This list and these alumni highlight the vital importance of the Society's STEM programs," said Maya Ajmera, president and CEO of the Society for Science, publisher of Science News, and an alumna of the 1985 Science Talent Search.
Shaw, the A.J. Perlis University Professor in the Institute for Software Research and Computer Science Department (CSD), is an alumna of the 1961 Science Talent Search competition. As a professor and researcher, Shaw codified the concepts and principles of software architecture that support the design of modern software and has co-authored popular textbooks used to educate the next generation of software engineers. In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded Shaw the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for her foundational contributions to the field of software engineering.
Scott, a University Professor Emeritus in CSD, competed in the 1950 Science Talent Search. Scott is known for formulating the concept of nondeterministic machines and for founding domain theory. His theoretical work has contributed significantly to many fields and has particularly enriched computer science. In 1976, Scott received the Turing Award with Michael Rabin for their work on nondeterministic machines.
The Society for Science published its list of more than 100 notable alumni to mark its centennial. The list includes Nobel laureates, entrepreneurs, MacArthur fellows, pioneers, National Medal of Science and Technology recipients, and Emmy and Oscar-winners who participated in the society's Science Talent Search, International Science and Engineering Fair, and middle school STEM competition. The full list of notable alumni is available on the Society for Science's website.
For more information, Contact:
Aaron Aupperlee | 412-268-9068 | aaupperlee@cmu.edu