Professor, Researcher, Racing Team Take Home Honors

Dr. Sean Cotter MA'98, professor of literature and translation studies in the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology at The University of Texas at Dallas, was honored with the 2024 Dublin Literary Award for his work translating Romanian author Mircea Cărtărescu's novel Solenoid to English.

The Dublin Literary Award has recognized excellence in literature since 1996. Each year, librarians from around the world nominate works of fiction for consideration. The author is given a prize of 100,000 euros, or about $108,000. If the winning novel is translated to English, the author receives 81,000 euros (about $87,600) and the translator 25,000 euros (about $27,000).

For Cotter, the honor is "special for two reasons: It considers original works alongside translations, and it recognizes the translator's contribution to the novel," he said.

He initially resisted taking on the project.

"It's silly now, but it seemed like it would take too long and demand a large emotional investment," said Cotter, who is also associate provost for faculty affairs. "I was right on both counts, but I shouldn't have been afraid."

The effort took 2½ years, much of which was during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the help of two special companions to motivate him through the process.

"I worked alongside my two daughters at the dining room table quartered off with blue tape," Cotter said. "Each of us with our headphones on, scowling into our laptops. Little by little, the translated words accumulated, and also little by little, I opened up to the novel's beauty."

Cotter and his work have been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Romanian Cultural Institute and PEN America. He is currently translating a collection of poems, a novel and other works by Cărtărescu.

Solenoid is partially inspired by Cărtărescu's life as a high school teacher. The author furthers the conversation of the role of life and art within communist Romania in the late 1970s and early 1980s by intertwining fiction with history.

Researcher Earns Science Policy Recognition

University of Texas at Dallas electrical engineering doctoral student Satwik Dutta MS'20 was one of four winners of the national Science Policy & Advocacy Research Competition (SPARC) to develop and advocate for policies on pressing issues.

Dutta earned a trip in June to Washington, D.C., to attend the SPARC Science Policy Summit and deliver science policy pitches to bipartisan policymakers at multiple congressional offices and House Committees on the Capitol Hill and to policy advisors in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The competition, hosted by the Universities Research Association (URA), is designed to give early career scientists the skills to engage in science policy and communication.

"My experience at the SPARC Science Policy Summit was amazing," said Dutta, a Eugene McDermott Graduate Fellow who was among 100 students internationally selected for the first cohort of Quad Fellows in 2022. "I was so excited, and nervous, to pitch my science policy ideas to expert policymakers."

"Receiving their feedback and appreciation has given me more confidence to continue my policy advocacy. This is not something that happens every day or that you can envision as a STEM doctoral student," he said.

Dutta's doctoral work in the Center for Robust Speech Systems in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science focuses on developing voice artificial intelligence (AI) applications to provide data on children's speech and language development that could help teachers and practitioners identify students who need additional support.

The researcher said he became interested in science policy out of concern for protecting the privacy of children's voice data used in AI applications such as educational technology or online applications such as AI assistants like Alexa. Dutta's doctoral work is supervised by Dr. John H. L. Hansen, Distinguished Chair in Telecommunications, associate dean of research in the Jonsson School, professor of electrical engineering, and founder and director of the Center for Robust Speech Systems.

"Dr. Hansen's motivation allowed me to think about the broader impact of my doctoral research on society, beyond developing the technology," Dutta said.

In January, Dutta was one of 30 students selected nationwide to participate in this 10-week virtual program to help students develop science policy opinion articles, one-pager documents for Capitol Hill meetings and three-minute policy pitches. Dutta said he is grateful for the support and mentorship he received through the program.

Racing Team Speeds to Best Finish at SAE Event

A University of Texas at Dallas student-led auto racing team finished second among Texas teams and 29th overall at a recent international competition.

Dallas Formula Racing, a UTD chapter of Formula SAE, participated in the SAE International competition in May at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. The competition, which featured collegiate teams, challenges students to conceive, design, fabricate, develop and compete with small, Formula-style vehicles.

UTD's internal combustion team placed second overall for vehicle aesthetics and build quality with a car that students designed and built on campus, fueling the Comets to their best finish in the event.

The UTD team significantly improved its performance from last year when it placed 66th overall. This year's competition was the first time the team completed each driving test, which included acceleration, endurance and autocross.

"This year's competition was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had," mechanical engineering junior Ricardo Toccoli said. "I will never forget this trip and the many memorable moments."

Brandon Shaffer BS'24, former powertrain lead, said it was an "overwhelming feeling" to see the car pass the line in the endurance competition.

"It was the feeling of every emotion I've ever felt all at once. The feelings of accomplishment, love, trust, teamwork and hard work radiated from the team and everyone rushed to see the car. The amount of hugging and tears shed was incredible."

About 150 students from a variety of majors participate in Dallas Formula Racing, which also includes an electric vehicle team. The organization receives technical and financial support from the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.

Since the team was founded in 2014, students have built three small, Formula-style vehicles in their shop, now at the Engineering and Computer Science West building.

"This team has grown into itself so much in the last two semesters," said mechanical engineering senior Nolan Westrope, manufacturing lead. "We never would have dreamed of having such a productive car, and we're making waves like we never have before."

The team has hosted presentations at STEM fairs and a driver appreciation day to build community interest in its work.

"Seeing the team take on challenges and try new things has been incredibly inspiring," said computer engineering sophomore Apurva Betgar, current powertrain lead. "This year has been a whole lot of fun, and I can't wait to see what's in store for the team's future."

Accolades is an occasional News Center feature that highlights recent accomplishments of The University of Texas at Dallas faculty, students and staff. To submit items for consideration, contact your school's communications manager.