NFRC Presents Charlie Curcija with Dariush Arasteh Memorial Member of the Year
The National Fenestration Rating Council presented D. Charlie Curcija, Ph.D., with the Dariush Arasteh Member of the Year award at its annual fall membership meeting last week. This annual award recognizes a member whose talent, achievements and innovative contributions are integral to the fenestration industry and the NFRC mission.
Curcija, a scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the Building Technology and Urban Systems Division, leads research in the thermal and optical performance of windows, window shading, building facades and other fenestration systems. This award honors Curcija’s contributions not just in 2023 but throughout NFRC’s near-35-year history.
“This year’s winner has shown incredible dedication to the mission of the NFRC and has been active in NFRC for many years, including several years on the Board of Directors,” says NFRC Board Chair Tony Cinnamon in his announcement at the membership meeting. "His contributions to NFRC efforts, particularly those related to thermophysical properties and software development, have been vital to our success.”
NFRC relies on the efforts of member volunteers from across the fenestration industry to develop a fair, accurate and credible rating system for the thermal performance of windows. “We have so many members who are deserving of this award, which makes choosing a single winner difficult. It should be considered a badge of honor for the person who stood above rest,” says Deb Callahan, CEO of NFRC. “I offer my sincere congratulations to Charlie, having appreciated his contributions to ensuring that the work we do has meaning and value. The NFRC board and staff are grateful for him and all the volunteers doing work for the benefit of the industry and the people who rely on the certification that we provide."
The award is named in honor of the late Dariush Arasteh, a scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory who was a pioneer in the development of the NFRC rating system and known worldwide for his research on energy-efficient windows.
