Associate Professor and Director of the FICS Research SCAN Lab Dr. Domenic Forte has been awarded the Steven A. Yatauro Faculty Fellowship. The endowed fellowship was created to honor a faculty member who continues to inspire students and is attempting to solve society’s most challenging problems. The endowment will provide additional funding for the exploration of new and creative concepts in the lab.

We couldn’t be happier that Domenic has received this honor—it’s a recognition of his top-notch abilities as a researcher, mentor, and instructor.
—John G. Harris, Professor & Chair

This highly prestigious fellowship is awarded to a deserving faculty member for a term of three years—it was previously held by Dr. Swarup Bhunia.

“It is an overwhelming honor to be selected as the Steven Yatauro Faculty Fellow. This award would not be possible without the department’s support, guidance from my exceptional mentors, and collaborations with my esteemed colleagues and PhD students.”
—Dr. Domenic Forte

Steven A. Yatauro

Steve currently serves as ExxonMobil Pipeline Company (EMPCo) President and is based in Houston, Texas.  Prior to joining EMPCo in December, 2020, Steve served as Senior Vice President, Production for Syncrude Canada Ltd. in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada.  Syncrude is a joint venture, with Imperial Oil Limited owning 25%, and one of Canada’s largest producers of synthetic crude oil from the oil sands of Alberta.  

Steve, a native of Indialantic, Florida, earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Florida in 1989. Upon graduation, Steve began his career with Exxon Company, U.S.A as a Telecommunications Engineer in Houston, Texas and has held a number of engineering and managerial positions spanning multiple business lines over his 31+ year career with ExxonMobil.   

Throughout his career, Steve has been involved in community organizations both in volunteer and board member capacities. A dynamic contributor in the communities in which he works and lives, Steve routinely volunteers his time to participate in community service activities.  He most recently served as the Board President for the United Way Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo in Northern Alberta, Canada.  Previously he served in different community leadership and volunteer capacities including the United Way Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo Community Campaign chair, Salvation Army Torrance Corps Advisory board member, and member of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles Board of Directors.

In his leisure time, Steve enjoys outdoor activities, cooking, and spending time with his family.  Steve and his wife Trish are the proud parents of three daughters.