Valery I. Levitas, Schafer 2050 Challenge Professor, has been awarded the Da Vinci Diamond from the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England. Levitas received the award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to engineering, science, and education.
The Da Vinci Diamond is designed to acknowledge, thank, and reward individuals who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields and added to the wealth of human learning and the subsequent advancement of society in their local, national, or international arenas. Leonardo Da Vinci was chosen as the inspiration for this award due to his world-renowned society-advancing accomplishments in many different disciplines.
Levitas is considered a founder of theoretical high-pressure mechanochemistry and his multidisciplinary research intersects advanced mechanics, physics, material science, chemistry, and applied mathematics.
“Receiving this recognition is a great honor,” he says. “It offers the opportunity to reflect upon my accomplishments and also inspires me to continue working to advance my research and teaching.”