The School of Engineering recognized faculty and staff members for their exemplary research, teaching, and professional service during the 2013 academic year. Dean Philippe Fauchet presented the annual awards during a reception May 7 in Featheringill Hall.
The Edward J. White Engineering Faculty Award for Excellence in Service was presented to Joel Barnett, associate professor of the practice of mechanical engineering. Fauchet cited Barnett’s stewardship of senior design, his dedication to building industry relationships, and his service as adviser to both school and external groups.
The School of Engineering Award for Excellence in Teaching was presented to Lori Troxel, associate professor of the practice of civil and environmental engineering. “Lori is known for supporting her students academically, intellectually, and personally and for inspiring her students in myriad ways,” Fauchet said.
Jean Miller, administrative assistant in mechanical engineering, won the Judith A Pachtman Endowed Staff Service Award. The dean said the mechanical engineering faculty was effusive in their nomination of Miller, citing her outstanding job performance, her dedication and willingness to help faculty and students meet proposal deadlines, and her professional yet friendly manner.
Also awarded was the “2012 Best Student Research Paper,” given to Christopher E. Nelson, a doctoral student in biomedical engineering. Nelson was the first author on a paper entitled, “Sustained local delivery of siRNA from an injectable scaffold,” which was published in February 2012 in Biomaterials, an international journal covering the science and clinical application of biomaterials. His faculty adviser is Craig Duvall.
Four faculty members have received promotions. Mark Does and Mike Miga have been promoted to professor of biomedical engineering. Caglar Oskay has been promoted to associate professor of civil and environmental engineering with tenure. Yuan (Emily) Xue has been promoted to associate professor of computer science and computer engineering with tenure.