Anita K. Jones Wins 2012 AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Award
SFAz board member Anita Jones will be awarded Feb. 15 with the 2012 Philip Hauge Abelson Award by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). She was honored by AAAS “for her outstanding scientific-technical achievements; her contributions as a mentor, inspiration, and role model for other scientists and engineers; and her lifetime of exemplary public service to government, professional institutions, academia and industry.”
Jones received her Ph.D. degree in computer science from Carnegie-Mellon University (CMU) in 1973. After ten years as an associate professor at CMU, she co-founded the software firm Tartan Laboratories, where she was vice president until 1987. The following year, she became a full professor and chair of the computer science department at the University of Virginia (UVA). In 1993, she took leave from UVA to be director of defense research and engineering at the Department of Defense, where she had oversight responsibility for science and technology programs, research laboratories, and DARPA. She held this position until 1997, receiving awards for distinguished public service. She then returned to UVA to become University Professor in 1997, assuming the role of Lawrence A. Quarles Professor of Engineering and Applied Science in 1999.
In addition to her outstanding scientific-technical achievements in the rapidly developing field of computer science, Jones has demonstrated stellar performance in a wide range of public service roles, and through her service in senior advisory capacities to academic and business institutions, said Stephen D. Nelson, the AAAS staff officer in charge of administering the award. For example, she has served on the National Science Board, the DOD Defense Science Board, the U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, and the National Academies’ Policy Division Advisory Council. Her service roles have included work on the influential National Academies report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, as well as a follow-up study that helped raise awareness about the importance of investing in the nation’s innovation infrastructure.
Among those commenting on Jones' award was Norman R. Augustine, retired chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation: “Anita’s success, in my opinion, is founded in part upon her deep technical knowledge…This is backed by her ability to apply that knowledge in a wide variety of fields. She is as comfortable discussing the latest developments in informatics as she is speaking with White House budget officials, and frequently does both. Her constructive, selfless approach to solving problems, coupled with her impeccable integrity, gives her credibility even with those who may disagree with her.”
Click here to read a fuller description of Jones and the AAAS award.
