Charles Bakis, distinguished professor of engineering science and mechanics, has been named a Fellow of the International Institute for Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites in Construction (IIFC).

According to the IIFC Web site, fellows are senior members of the institute who have achieved a position of high responsibility and have contributed significantly to the advancement of the field through research or practice or both.

Since joining Penn State in 1988, Bakis has focused his research on the design, manufacturing, test and analysis of fiber-reinforced composite materials for lightweight structures and concrete reinforcement.

He received his bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University and his master of science and doctoral degrees in engineering mechanics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

Established in 2003, the IIFC aims to advance the understanding and the application of FRP composites in the civil infrastructure, in the service of the engineering profession and society.