The College of Engineering and Computing honored outstanding faculty and staff at an Awards Reception and Ceremony, on Thursday April 25, in the Great Room of the Krasnow Building on the Fairfax Campus. Congratulations to the following people.
OUTSTANDING TEACHING
Dr. Peggy Brouse - Department of Cyber Security Engineering.
For her unwavering support of students; tenacity in bringing innovation to our programs; and role as an advisor to the award-winning Mason Competitive Cyber Team while continuing with a prolific teaching course load.
Dr. Liling Huang - Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
For her dedication to students; the patience and enthusiasm she exhibits in her classes; her work in establishing a new concentration in power engineering; and her engagement with industry partners to promote new avenues for student learning and gainful employment.
Dr. Ilhan Izmarli - Department of Statistics
For time-tested and respected teaching methods that stimulate and motivate students;his work sharing and amplifying his knowledge by presenting at conferences; and contributing Statistics textbooks.
Dr. Lance Sherry - Department of Systems Engineering and Operations Research
For successfully mentoring multiple award-winning capstone senior design teams every year; achieving exemplary ratings from students for this challenging course; and establishing a unique minor in Flight Training and Aviation Management.
OUTSTANDING RESEARCH
Dr. Lily Wang - Department of Statistics
For her foundational transformational contributions in the areas of neuroscience, biomedical science, econometrics, and environmental studies that showcase her versatility and impact; playing a pivotal role in advancing statistical methodology, receiving broad international recognition; and assuming leadership roles in the Mason community.
Dr. Kun Sun - Department of Information Sciences and Technology.
For his work in extending his research and preparing the next generation of scholars, garnering significant research funding in the field of cybersecurity; and work that has been widely adapted by industry, academia, and government agencies.
Dr. Celso Ferreira -Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering
For research in water resources and coastal engineering that not only advances science but has direct utility for people and nations. This research illuminates potential solutions for sustainable cost-effective, nature-based solutions which can impact the protection of the built environment.
Dr. Amarda Shehu, Associate Dean for AI Innovation
For her impactful work in advancing artificial intelligence on a broad range of challenging problems. She is widely recognized for her work in the areas of artificial intelligence and machine learning - recently she co-led a $4.9 million award from the Air Force Research Laboratory and was the recipient of several NSF grants totaling almost $1 million.
Dr. Parag Chitnis - Department of Bioengineering
For his pioneering research in photoacoustics for biomedical devices and ultrasound imaging; his outstanding scholarship; his passion for improving pressing issues in healthcare; and developing innovative engineering tools to solve biomedical problems.
Dr. Duminda Wijesekera - Department of Cyber Security Engineering
For his high-quality research spanning more than two decades of impressive, impactful research in both theoretical and experimental research. As director of the Mason Living Learning Innovation Lab, he has created a vibrant facility where scholars showcase and develop highly advanced skills that impact and showcase CEC strengths in cybersecurity.
OUTSTANDING STAFF
Ms. Jennifer Lee,- Central Business Office
For her stellar customer service; her proactive, pleasant, professional demeanor in the constantly changing world of human resources; and her self-directed solutions of useful, actionable information in a timely and professional manner.
Ms. Mary Baldwin Data Analytics Engineering
For her service to the Data Analytics Engineering Program as program advisor; her extraordinary commitment to navigating the intricacies of various learning pathways; taking steps when international students need prompt attention; and managing the advising needs of 700+ students while spending considerable time providing pre-admissions advising for prospective DAEN students.
OUTSTANDING SERVICE
Dr. Brett Hunter - Department of Statistics
For his qualities of fairness, respect, and balance; and his many contributions that have ensured smooth operation of the department’s mission in teaching and student recruitment. He is also a team player who regularly steps up to teach difficult courses or courses that others do not want to teach.
Dr. Alok Berry - Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
For his active, ongoing engagement in service/outreach efforts that inspire students to dream big and achieve; his tireless support of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation to improve minority participation in STEM fields; the annual student/alumni/industry mixer; and numerous recruitment events.
Dr. Rochelle Jones - Department of Systems Engineering and Operations Research
For her exemplary service to the department, guiding the department through successful accreditation; streamlining processes; improving procedures; and promotion of diversity in STEM through mentorship and advising diverse students.
Dr. Nathan Kathir, - Mechanical Engineering
For his dedication, commitment, and tireless efforts on behalf of our students, programs, and engineering education; serving as the capstone coordinator for senior design; and his activities and leadership in ABET accreditation circles.
Dr. Shani Ross - Department of Bioengineering
For her substantial work to increase outreach and recruitment efforts for our undergraduate students and her tireless leadership and calm presence during department chair transitions. She led the department as interim chair and assisted subsequent interims with administrative tasks all while teaching, mentoring, and guiding students.
OUTSTANDING ADJUNCT FACULTY
Dr. Carolyn Wilson - Department of Bioengineering.
For mentoring and guiding students; helping with outreach activities; collaborating with other faculty; and working closely with our academic advisor and associate chair to identify student internship opportunities. Besides teaching the Biomanufacturing course, she has stepped up and taken on additional teaching and outreach assignments to help the department.
Dr. Tigran Markaryan - Department of Statistics
For his ongoing adjunct teaching activities that bring statistics to life; and his service as a member of the department and dean’s advisory boards.
OUTSTANDING TERM FACULTY
Dr. Doaa Bondok - Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering
For her dedication, energy, and skill as a faculty member; mentoring to students; and particularly for her service to the Student Chapter of ASCE.
OUTSTANDING TENURE-TRACK FACULTY
Dr. Pei Dong - Department of Mechanical Engineering
For her prodigious research that has garnered funding of more than $2.2 million and earned her the prestigious NSF CAREER Award; and her leadership in helping develop an undergraduate concentration in microfabrication that gained SCHEV approval
Dr. Ben Seinyon Lee - Department of Statistics
For his diligence, competence, and success as a teacher, scholar, and researcher, most notably for his efforts that secured significant funding; serving as a PI on grants; and mentoring PhD students.