The Robotics Institute is the winner of the Chairman's Award in the 2008 Carnegie Science Awards, a recognition of the institute's role in promoting science and technology in the region.The Entertainment Technology Center won in the information technology category, while Mellon College of Science physicist Tiziana Di Matteo was cited as "emerging female scientist."

The 2008 awards, which are sponsored by Eaton Corp., were announced by the Carnegie Science Center at a luncheon for news media on Jan. 31 and will be formally presented at Carnegie Music Hall on May 9. Awards are presented in 17 categories spanning education, commerce and research.

"The Carnegie Science Awards program celebrates the heroes of science and technology in western Pennsylvania," said Joanna Haas, director of the Carnegie Science Center. "Their accomplishments are inspiring and significant, because these extraordinary winners are driving economic growth and developing tomorrow's scientific workforce for our region."