TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dr. Jeff Gray, a Distinguished University Professor in the department of computer science and director of the Randall Research Scholars Program in the Honors College at The University of Alabama, has been awarded The University of Alabama System’s McMahon-Pleiad Prize.
The McMahon-Pleiad Prize recognizes a member of the UA System faculty or staff who has made significant contributions through teaching, research and service in alignment with the UA System’s missions, values and core principles.
“It is an honor to receive this year’s McMahon-Pleiad Prize,” said Gray. “The prize’s support of UA System faculty is special for me because I started as a faculty member at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before moving to UA, while collaborating with several University of Alabama in Huntsville faculty on various projects along the way.”
Gray’s research interests are in the areas of software engineering, computer science education, programming languages, and human-computer interaction – with a specific interest in opportunities to support interdisciplinary research. Throughout his career, he has mentored students ranging from high school to doctoral-level students. Gray’s research has been supported by government and private entities, including the National Science Foundation, U.S. Air Force, and Google, among others.
While at UAB, Gray received an NSF CAREER award, one of the nation’s most prestigious recognitions of top-performing young scientists in disciplines ranging from nanoscience and engineering to biological sciences. In 2008, he was named the Alabama Professor of Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
The McMahon-Pleiad Prize honors Trustee Emeritus John J. McMahon Jr. and recognizes his family’s contributions to the UA System and the state of Alabama, including a generous gift that funds the prize. The honoree receives a $75,000 award, half of which is earmarked to further the recipient’s contributions through teaching, research or service.
Gray plans to use part of the funds to support K-12 outreach programs supported by the College of Engineering.
“As a first-generation college student from a small town in West Virginia, I benefited from mentors who provided experiences that introduced me to the pathway that I eventually selected for a career,” said Gray. “My goal in offering K-12 events to Alabama students is the hope that some student who is unaware of their potential and interest in STEM-focused fields might discover and develop the passion that leads them on their own journey.”
Gray serves as chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Computer Science. The group aims to create high-quality academic K-12 computer science standards to guide the implementation of courses and allocate funding to enable all schools to offer computer science through the professional development of teachers. He is also the co-chair of the College Board’s AP Computer Science Principles development committee and editor-in-chief of the “Journal of Software and Systems Modeling,” one of the top journals in software engineering.
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.
Contact
Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, bryant.welbourne@ua.edu