Stephanie Bealing (M.S. Materials Science & Engineering, ’06) and Jacquelynn Garofano (M.S., Ph.D. Materials Science & Engineering, ’09, ’12) are Hartford Business Journal’s “40 Under Forty” 2015 award winners. The award recognizes outstanding young professionals in the Greater Hartford area who are excelling in their industries through their leadership roles. A senior research scientist at United Technologies Research Center (UTRC), Garofano solves technical challenges and develops new technologies for the aerospace and building industries within United Technologies. In 2010, Bealing founded Replacement Lens Express (RLE), an award-winning prescription eyeglass lens replacement company extensively on the web. The 40 Under Forty awards celebration will be held at the CT Convention Center on September 30.

Z. James Chen (Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, ’96) was appointed a new independent director at China Finance Online Co. Limited during the annual shareholder meeting held in June. Chen has been chief financial officer of Origin Agritech Limited, since January 2012. Prior to Origin, he served as an Investment Manager at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and worked as an equity research analyst at Morgan Joseph and BB&T Capital Markets. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chen earned an MBA at New York University.

Rick Mastracchio (B.S. Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and Engineering, ’82; Hon. D.Sc. ’12) embarked on a mission of gratitude and honor tour last month, visiting military troops at bases in Greenland, Guantanamo Bay and Puerto Rico. A NASA astronaut and veteran of four spaceflights, Mastracchio has logged 228 days in space spanning four missions, including nine spacewalks totaling 53 hours. A Waterbury, CT-native, he earned an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from RPI and M.S. in Physical Science from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

John T. “Tom” Sheridan (B.S. Mechanical Engineering, ’73), U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. (Ret.), received the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) 2015 von Braun Award for Excellence in Space Program Management at a ceremony in Pasadena, CA. A senior vice president and general manager at Vencore, Inc., Sheridan was recognized for significant contributions and service to his country during his military and civilian careers. He earned an MBA from Bryant University.

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