NEW YORK, May, 15, 2008 -- Theodore H. Okiishi, Ph.D., P.E., a resident of Ames, Iowa, and professor emeritus at Iowa State University (ISU), will be honored by ASME. He is being recognized for sustained and outstanding contributions to the ASME International Gas Turbine Institute (IGTI), for an outstanding record in the furtherance of gas turbine education, and for achievements and advancements in gas turbine compressor aerodynamic research. He will receive ASME’s R. Tom Sawyer Award.
The award, established in 1972, is bestowed upon an individual who has made important contributions toward the advancement of the gas turbine industry and the ASME IGTI over a substantial period of time. It will be presented to Okiishi during the ASME TURBO EXPO 2008, which is being held in Berlin, Germany, June 9 through 13.
Okiishi has been contributing to the advancement of gas turbine technology and education for over four decades. He joined the faculty at ISU in 1967 and is currently professor emeritus of mechanical engineering and interim vice president for research and economic development. He retired as associate dean for research at ISU’s College of Engineering in August 2007.
Over the years Okiishi and his students have been engaged in gas turbine engine component research sponsored by GE Aviation, Textron Lycoming, the National Science Foundation, NASA and the U.S. Air Force. Most of his students worked on site at laboratories of GE Aviation, the NASA Glenn Research Center and the U.S. Air Force, with day-to-day local mentoring by uniquely eminent scholars and a number of them have gone on to become leaders in gas turbine technology at prominent engine companies and laboratories.
Achievements and advancements made by Okiishi and his graduate students have been documented in over 50 papers and publications. Several years ago, Okiishi joined his colleagues in authoring an undergraduate text; initially published in 1990, various editions of Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics (John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York) are among the most widely used textbooks in this field.
An ASME Fellow, Okiishi served as editor of the Journal of Turbomachinery (1993-2003) and vice president of the Council on Engineering (2001-03), and is a member of the National Nominating Committee (2006-08). He was awarded the ASME Melville Medal in 1989 and 1998. A member of the IGTI board of directors, he has serviced IGTI in various capacities including review chair (1988-89), chair of conferences (1989-90), vice chair (1990-91), chair (1991-92) and vice president (2001-03).
Okiishi received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering, and his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and engineering mechanics at ISU in 1960, 1963 and 1965, respectively. He is a registered professional engineer in Iowa and Ohio.
Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization promoting the art, science and practice of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences. ASME develops codes and standards that enhance public safety, and provides lifelong learning and technical exchange opportunities benefiting the global engineering and technology community. ASME has more than 127,000 members worldwide.
-#- |
