ASU physics alum Harry Kolar earns IBM fellowship

IBM has selected Arizona State University alumnus Harry Kolar as one of its 2018 IBM fellows.

IBM awards this high distinction to exceptional scientists and technical professionals within the organization who have shown outstanding and continued technical and leadership achievements. Kolar, who completed both his undergraduate and graduate studies at ASU, works in the field of engineering and environmental science.

Kolar's scientific and technical leadership in sensor-based environmental monitoring and management were key factors in this appointment, according to IBM. He has worked on a series of projects — in particular, the Jefferson Project at Lake George.

“The aim of the Jefferson Project at Lake George is to help address a number of environmental water quality issues identified via a longitudinal study over the past 37 years,” Kolar said.

The project combines several research techniques (including intelligent sensors and monitoring) to create physics-based models of the lake and combines this information with experimental work in freshwater ecology and biology to further the understanding and protection of the lake, and others like it.

In his capacity as an IBM fellow, Kolar will continue to develop technologies and solutions to better our understanding of natural freshwater ecosystems and to help address water and environmental issues on a global scale.

“This is especially important given water scarcity and quality issues,” he said.

He also shared his goal of expanding and translating these freshwater discoveries and techniques for application in marine and coastal studies.

Kolar joins the ranks of a total of 297 IBM fellows, whose impressive company includes five Nobel Prize winners, five Turing Award winners, and has resulted in 146 patents issued.