Computer science faculty, students reap awards

Faculty and students in computing and information science have been racking up awards and honors.

David Easley, the Henry Scarborough Professor of Social Science, and Jon Kleinberg, the Tisch University Professor of Computer Science, have been awarded the 2011 Lanchester Prize by the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), for their book "Networks, Crowds and Markets" (Cambridge University Press, 2010). The Lanchester Prize is awarded annually "for the best contribution to operations research and the management sciences published in English." The book shows how people and institutions are connected on social, economic and technological levels. The prize includes a commemorative medallion and a $5,000 cash award.

Joseph Halpern, professor of computer science and co-director of the Cognitive Studies Program, was recently named a fellow of the IEEE, a distinction reserved for select IEEE members whose "extraordinary accomplishments" in any of the IEEE fields of interest are deemed fitting of this prestigious grade elevation.

John Hopcroft, the IBM Professor of Engineering and Applied Mathematics, was presented with an honorary doctoral degree from Beijing Institute of Technology Oct 27.

Graduate student Sigal Oren was awarded a a Microsoft Research Ph.D. fellowship, which will cover tuition and fees for two academic years. A stipend is provided to cover living expenses, and a conference and travel allowance is provided to attend professional events. Recipients are also offered the opportunity to complete one salaried internship the year following the award.

Graduate student Robert Escriva was selected as one of two recipients of the VMware Graduate Fellowship, awarded to outstanding students pursuing research related to VMware's business interests. The fellowship includes a cash award to cover tuition and stipend for 12 months.