| |
Kafafi served in many different capacities during her 21 years with the Naval Research Laboratory as a research chemist, a senior group leader and head of the Organic Optoelectronics Section in the Optical Sciences Division. Her research focused on emerging technologies based on organic electronics and photonics. She pioneered new areas which spanned a wide spectrum of disciplines.
Kafafi remained at the Naval Research Laboratory until October, 2007, when she accepted her current position as Division Director for Materials Research in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate for the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Virginia.
Her research interests include spectroscopy and photochemistry of molecular clusters in condensed phases; and her research centers on the reactions and photochemistry of metal/semiconductor atoms and small clusters with various classes of organic and inorganic molecules in inert and reactive host matrices. In addition, she works in the field of novel nonlinear optical materials, and her research focuses on the development and/or characterization of novel materials for nonlinear optics.
Throughout her career, Kafafi has been a member of many scientific societies such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Chemical Society (ACS), the Materials Research Society (MRS), the International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE) and the Optical Society of America (OSA) among others. She has been actively involved in planning and organizing many symposia and conferences, and served these societies in many different capacities. In 2005, Dr. Kafafi was elected a fellow of SPIE for her outstanding contributions to the field of organic photonics and electronics covering many aspects of chemistry, physics and materials science. In 2007, Dr. Kafafi was recognized for serving with distinction in the advancement of optics and for her pioneering work in organic optoelectronic materials and devices. She was elected a Fellow of OSA in 2007, as well. This year she was honored at the AAAS annual meeting for her contributions to science and technology, and was recognized as a newly elected AAAS fellow for her achievements in materials science and chemistry.
Kafafi’s significant contributions and outstanding career have earned her numerous awards and recognitions. She was elected a Fellow of the Optical Society of America (OSA) for her pioneering work in organic optoelectronic materials and devices and was elected a Fellow of the International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE) for her outstanding contributions to the field of organic photonics and electronics covering many aspects of chemistry, physics and materials science. She received the Naval Research Laboratory Edison Patent Award for the invention of a simple and an economic method for patterning conducting polymer electrodes. She also received the ADVANCE Distinguished Lectureship Award from Case Western Reserve University and the Naval Research Laboratory Commanding Officer’s Award for Achievements in the Field of Equal Employment Opportunity for the creation of a mentor program for scientists and engineers.
Top of page | Back to homepage
|
