Glendale resident, Cal State professor is honored by NASA

A Glendale resident was honored for her NASA-related research at Cal State Los Angeles.

Helen Ryaciotaki-Boussalis -- director of CSULA’s NASA-funded University Research Center, officially named the “Structures, Propulsion, Aerospace and Control Engineering (SPACE) Center” -- received the 2011 Faculty Research Award for her years of work in computer, vehicle and high-tech electrical engineering, according to an announcement from the college.

The awards were recently handed out at a summit in San Francisco, recognizing those who have incorporated NASA technology into academic efforts.

Hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students have studied at the NASA-funded research facility at Cal State L.A., according to the college.

In a statement, Ryaciotaki-Boussalis framed her history of research and academia within a famous quote from the Greek philosopher Aristotle: “Its roots are bitter, but its fruits are very sweet.”

She went on to say that she appreciated “very much the continuous support I have received from my collaborators, faculty and aerospace engineers, and last but not least, I cherish the time I spent all these years with my student research assistants.”