Professor Rosakis Inducted Into the Academy of Athens

Ares J. Rosakis, Theodore von Karman Professor of Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering, has been inducted into the Academy of Athens in the class of Natural Sciences for his “exceptional contributions to science, in particular in experimental science, in the mechanics of solids, and in aerospace.” He was indicated as a Corresponding Member of this selective academy - there are only 76 members in his section and class.

The Academy of Athens was founded in 1926, as Greece’s National Academy of Sciences, Humanities and Fine Arts. It traces its roots to Plato’s Academy while its name is a reference to the spiritual glory of ancient Athens, which Thucydides calls "the city that is the center of education for Greece.” The academy supports basic and applied research, operates multiple research centers, finances publications, grants scholarships, awards prizes and advises the Greek government on cultural scientific, technical and societal issues of importance to the country.

At the induction ceremony Professor Rosakis gave an academic address in formal Greek to the members of the academy and dignitaries which included: Academy president and particle physicist Dimitrios Nanopoulos, who welcomed him to the academy, vice president and writer Thanassis Valtinos, general secretary and archeologist Basileios Petrakos, and former Prime Minister of Greece and Academician Lucas Papademos. He was introduced by Academician Professor Antonios Kounadis.

The address was entitled, “Αναπαράσταση Μεγάλων Σεισμών στο Εργαστήριο Μηχανικής: Χαρακτηριστικές Δονήσεις λόγω Υπερδιατμητικών Διαρρήξεων,” which translates to “Representing Large Earthquakes in the Mechanics Laboratory: Identifying Characteristic Ground Shaking Signatures due to Super-sheer Ruptures.” [Video of event]

Professor Rosakis’ contributions to international science and engineering have been recognized around the world. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE), fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, member of Academia Europaea, foreign fellow of the Indian Academy of Engineering and member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. He is the recipient of many U.S. and international honors, recently including his appointment to Commandeur dans l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques by the Republic of France. [Caltech story]