2014 Simon Karecki Award Presented to Lila Otero-Gonzalez at University of Arizona

The following is an excerpt of the 2014 Simon Karecki award presentation:

Lila is pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering at the University of Arizona, working under the faculty direction of Dr. Reyes Sierra. Lila has consistently shown a great interest in environmental science and technology. After her undergraduate studies at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, she came to the University of Arizona to begin her master’s studies which then led her into her current research as a Ph.D. student. Lila is scheduled to complete her PhD this December and I anticipate she will finish with her current 4.0 GPA. Her completion and perfect 4.0 demonstrates not only her ability but her passion to make a difference.

I would like to share a couple of quotes with you from her nominations:

Professor Reyes Sierra, Lila’s Ph.D. advisor, wrote: “Lila has demonstrated great leadership ability in research and a remarkable ability to communicate and collaborate with scientists from other disciplines, a gift that I attribute to her intense scientific curiosity, intelligence, and open minded personality. She collaborates regularly with colleagues.”

Dr.  Jim Field, Chair of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Arizona wrote:  “I find Lila exceptional in her creativity, unique approach and innovative solutions to open ended problems, eagerness to learn, and above all, leadership in team projects.”

And similar comments were also made by Professor Scott Boitano of the Arizona Health Sciences Center. Interesting trivia on Lila, aside from being fluent in Spanish and English, Lila is also fluent in Galician. Very similar to Simon Karecki and all of his passions, commitment to research, and dedication to making an impact on the environment – Lila is the 2014 recipient of the Simon Karecki Award. Congratulations Lila, we appreciate you, we support you and we applaud you. Please join me in applauding the work and dedication of Lila Otero-Gonzalez.   Lila, we look forward to your inspiring future.