| Media
Contacts:
Dr. Leonard
J. Pietrafesa, 919/515-7777
Paul K. Mueller,
News Services, 919/515-3470
April
4, 2003
“Science
Champ” Has Been Eating His Wheaties
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
Not
many scientists get their pictures on Wheaties
boxes, but Dr. Len Pietrafesa, director of external
affairs for the College
of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at North
Carolina State University, has been so honored
as the 2002 National Champion of Science. The
honor and the customized cereal box were presented
to him at a recent meeting of the University Corporation
of Atmospheric Research (UCAR) for his advocacy
work in promoting science on Capitol Hill.
While his face on the famous box probably won’t
move a lot of cereal in local grocery stores,
it might provide inspirational fuel for rising
young atmospheric researchers.
Pietrafesa
was also elected to UCAR’s board of trustees
at the meeting. The organization represents 85
institutions with meteorology education and research
programs. UCAR also manages the National Center
for Atmospheric Research, and coordinates the
national education and research agenda in atmospheric
sciences. |
Dr.
Len Pietrafesa as a “Wheaties” Science
Champion
|
At NC State, Pietrafesa is a specialist
in estuarine and continental-margin physical oceanographic
processes; geophysical fluid dynamics; western boundary
currents; abiotic influences on fish; satellite oceanography;
and coastal flooding due to hurricanes.
He received a bachelor’s degree
in physics and mathematics in 1965 from Fairfield University,
a master’s degree in geophysics and fluid physics
in 1967 from Boston College and the University of Chicago,
and his doctorate in fluid physics and geophysical fluid
dynamics in 1973 from the University of Washington.
-
30 -
|
Raleigh,
NC 27695
