All Thayer News

Dartmouth Engineering Professor Fridon Shubitidze Awarded Georgia's Medal of Honor

Jul 22, 2019   |   by Catha Mayor Lamm

Fridon Shubitidze receives award


Dartmouth Engineering professor Fridon Shubitidze (l) holds the Medal of Honor with Georgia President Salome Zourabichvili (r).

Fridon Shubitidze, professor of engineering at Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth and a member of the Georgian diaspora, was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Salome Zourabichvili for "his personal contribution in the development of science and in the creation of modern technologies."

Established in 1992, the Medal of Honor is awarded annually to either a Georgian citizen or a non-citizen of Georgian heritage who has successfully contributed to the revival of Georgia and devoted themselves to the advancement of human rights, democracy, sciences, and noble deeds.

"Receiving the Medal of Honor from the first woman elected president of Georgia was a pleasure, surprise and great honor," said Professor Shubitidze. "The award was given for my scientific achievements as well as my work in facilitating research-based relations between Georgian colleagues and my Electromagnetic Sensing Group (EMSG) at Dartmouth. Over the past 12 years, I have helped my Georgian colleagues and students collaborate on and execute several research projects. As part of these joint projects, Georgian colleagues and students have visited Dartmouth, worked in tandem with EMSG, and brought their experiences back to Georgia. This award strengthens my committment to helping Georgia continue its transition from the old Soviet-era education system to a modern, western system."

“Your achievement at Dartmouth College of the United States carries a profound importance,” said President Zourabichvili. In announcing the award, she described the bridges Shubitidze has help build in his work with the US Department of Defense. “This is significant and it is a recognition of the how seriously your work is perceived, not only in your university, but by the United States government as well.”

Shubitidze, who was born in Georgia, earned his MS in radiophysics and his PhD in physical and mathematical sciences from Tbilisi State University and joined the Thayer faculty in 2007.

His research at Dartmouth has focused on computational electromagnetics, genome sequencing, magnetic nanoparticles for cancer treatment, and unexploded ordnance detection and discrimination.

For contacts and other media information visit our Media Resources page.