ECE alumnus wins the 2018 Prize by the Dimitris N. Chorafas Foundation
ECE Alumnus Shehrin Sayed has been awarded the 2018 Prize by the Dimitris N. Chorafas Foundation for his research on spintronics, a field that has significantly improved the memory industries. Sayed’s focus is the transport physics of new materials and phenomena that will enable novel energy-efficient devices and systems. He has developed a generalized theory that applies to diverse classes of spintronics materials. This theory not only presented a new perspective on the existing experiments but also predicted new phenomena, some of which later received experimental confirmation up to room temperature. Such robust phenomena will improve existing magnetic memory technologies, and enable exciting applications like energy harvesting from ambient sources leading to self-powered devices.
“I am very happy and honored to receive such a prestigious award,” says Sayed. “It would not be possible without the support from my colleagues, co-workers, family and friends. I am grateful to Professor Supriyo Datta, who introduced me to this dynamic field of research and guided me in every steps with his bold and original perspectives. This award is giving me the confidence and inspiration to continue my research.”
The Dimitris N. Chorafas Foundation awards scientific prizes for outstanding work in selected fields in the engineering sciences, medicine and the natural sciences. It rewards research characterized by its high potential for practical application and by the special significance attached to its aftermath. Every year, partner universities in Europe, North America and Asia evaluate the research work of their graduating doctorate students and propose the best for prizing. The Foundation prizes the best doctoral student(s) in the Hard Sciences in each partner university. These annual awards are of $5,000 each.
Sayed earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Purdue, where he was advised by Professor Supriyo Datta. He was co-advised by Professor Ernesto Marinero, Professor Yong P. Chen, and Professor Zhihong Chen. Sayed is currently working at University of California, Berkeley as a post-doctoral researcher.