Awards
2009 summit award® recipients
THE EARLY ACCOMPLISHMENT AWARD
Dr. Mark G. Petovello, P.Eng.
This award is presented to Members of APEGGA in recognition of exceptional achievement in the early years of a professional career as an engineer, geologist or geophysicist.
Since graduating in 1998 with a B.Sc. in geomatics engineering, Dr. Mark Petovello, P.Eng., has had an impressive and promising career. He quickly became involved in several areas of navigation research where he has made significant contributions. Dr. Petovello started as a graduate student and research assistant at the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering Department of Geomatics where he conducted research and taught as a sessional instructor. In 2003, he received his doctoral degree and was appointed a Senior Research Engineer in the Department of Geomatics Engineering becoming an Assistant Professor in January 2008.
Dr. Petovello made numerous contributions to navigation throughout his early career developing several novel algorithms and methods to improve the accuracy, reliability and efficiency of navigation systems, including two preliminary patent filings. He authored or co-authored more than 14 journal papers, 37 conference papers and 34 technical reports and gave numerous presentations at conferences and symposia. He also led the development of four navigation software packages that are licensed through the University of Calgary.
His research continues to be instrumental in enhancing quality of life. His work on the US Navy’s Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) contributes to a reduction in error margins by allowing more accurate landings on aircraft carriers. The work is applicable to other safety-of-life applications based on carrier-phase positioning. He has also worked with an automobile manufacturer on inter-vehicular positioning, which helps drivers avoid collisions by alerting them of dangers.
Dr. Petovello’s enthusiasm for his profession is apparent in his service to the profession. He has been the vice-chair of the Alberta section of the US Institute of Navigation (ION) since 2006 and the chair of ION’s student/education outreach sub-committee since 2004. He is a co-editor of ION’s Red Book on Integrated Navigation and a contributing editor to a column in Inside GNSS. Dr. Petovello is also an instructor of short GPS courses and has prepared and presented lectures on GPS receiver operation, high-sensitivity GPS, assisted GPS and associated practical considerations for NavtechGPSin the US, and independently for industry.
In addition to his work and research, Dr. Petovello makes community presentations about engineering that help to educate and inspire others. He is also an enthusiastic participant in a science outreach program in Calgary and makes science presentations to junior high and high school students.
Honours, Awards and Distinctions
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Alberta Ingenuity Fund New Faculty Award (2008)
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“50+ Leaders to Watch”, GPS World (2008)
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Early Achievement Award, US Institute of Navigation (ION), (2006)
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Best presentation award, ION GNSS conference, Long Beach, CA (2005)
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Student Fellowship Award, US ION (2002)
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Graduate Student Fellowship, iCORE (2001)
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Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) PGS-B Award (2001)
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NSERC PGS-A Award (1998)
Professional Affiliations and Activities
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Session chair, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Vehicular Technology Conference (2008)
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Session chair, US ION GNSS Conference (2008)
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Co-editor, Red Book on Integrated Navigation, US ION (2007-present)
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Session chair, National Technical Meeting, US ION (2007)
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Vice-chair, Alberta Section, US ION (2006-present)
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Session chair, US ION GNSS Conference (2006)
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Assistant track-chair, IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference (2006)
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Contributing editor, GNSS Solutionscolumn in Inside GNSS (2005-present)
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Chair, Student/Education Outreach subcommittee, US ION (2004-present)
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Member, APEGGA (1998-present)