Robert Furfaro is an aerospace engineer. He was born in Roccella Jonica but lives in Tucson, Arizona. Here he works as a professor of space systems engineering, and directs the Space Systems Engineering Laboratory and the Space Situational Awareness Arizona Initiative. A work, his, which was noticed long ago. And which has now been awarded the prestigious "DaVinci Fellow Award 2021".
Who is Roberto Furfaro
Originally from the province of Reggio Calabria, Roberto Furfaro arrived at the University of Arizona as a student in 1998. His goal was "only" to write a thesis, but Furfaro America never left it. Here he did his PhD in aerospace and mechanical engineering, here he chose to stay. "I have always considered the University of Arizona my home", commented. A reciprocal affection and esteem, as the Da Vinci Fellow Award teaches. In fact, every year the university rewards one of its members of excellence. Who receives 10 thousand dollars donated by the University's Circolo Da Vinci but of which, above all, the exceptional merit is recognized. "It is one of the most significant awards I have received, because it is a recognition for what I am doing, despite being here for a long time. I want to thank the university not just for this award, but for giving me a career opportunity".
Roberto Furfaro has been fascinated by mathematics and physics since he was a child. He grew up in Italy, watching cartoons in which aliens invaded Earth and space robots traveled to other planets. Soon, that passion of hers became a job. He worked with the UA Controlled Environment Agriculture Center to develop a self-contained lunar greenhouse, designed a mission to explore the shadows of the moon, and led a team of students on the CubeSats project for the NASA. From 2010 to 2016 he led a NASA mission that targeted the capture of a sample of the asteroid 101955 Bennu for his study of the Earth (a mission that earned him an asteroid, the 133474 Roberto Furfaro, and which will end in 2023). He currently heads the NASA Near-Earth Object Surveillance Mission follow-up team.
The reaction to the prize
"Roberto is, for our students, a great example of what can be done with an engineering degree, hard work and a willingness to collaborate and lead large interdisciplinary teams."Commented Young-Jun Son, Professor and Head of Systems and Industrial Engineering. "We are so proud not only of his work for NASA missions and his space research system, but also of his dedication to students and collaborators and the leadership shown on and off campus.". The compliments to Roberto Furfaro also came from mayor of Roccella Jonica, Vittorio Zito. "We are proud of our illustrious fellow citizen and scientist Roberto Furfaro, whose brilliant experience in the United States we have always followed with enthusiasm, crowned by numerous successes linked to the many research activities conducted in the field of space engineering, also in collaboration with NASA.", he has declared. With satisfaction and pride, for a true Italian talent.
