The College of Engineering recently honored excellence in teaching, innovation and service with its 24th annual Distinguished Faculty Awards.
Among the faculty, researchers and partners recognized for distinguished contributions in several areas were multiple Ohio State faculty members hired through the Materials and Manufacturing for Sustainability (M&MS) Discovery Theme, operated by the Institute for Materials Research (IMR).
Vicky Doan-Nguyen, assistant professor in the departments of Materials Science & Engineering and Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering who joined Ohio State through the M&MS Discovery Theme, was awarded the David C. McCarthy Engineering Teaching Award. This award recognizes the contributions of College of Engineering junior faculty and staff to create more innovative and effective teaching and learning.
Pelagia-Irene (Perena) Gouma, Edward Orton Jr. Chair in Ceramic Engineering and professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, received the college’s Innovators Award. Gouma, who was also hired through the M&MS Discovery Therme program, was recognized for her revolutionary materials processing and use as selective sensing elements for the detection of biomarkers of COVID-19 disease in breath.
Carolin Fink, assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, was recognized for being exemplary in developing her students as engineers and professionals. Called “one of the most influential educators I have had” by one of her students, Fink prioritizes helping and bonding with students.
The Lumley Engineering Research Award was presented to two M&MS faculty members: Jung-Hyun Kim, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Hongping Zhao, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. They were among nine outstanding researchers in the College of Engineering who have shown exceptional activity and success in pursuing new knowledge of a fundamental or applied nature.
Other IMR faculty members among this year’s cohort of winners:
Harrison Faculty Award for Excellence in Engineering Education
- Carlos Castro, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
David C. McCarthy Engineering Teaching Award
- Tyler Grassman, assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Faculty Mentoring Award
- Umit Ozkan, chair and professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Giorgio Rizzoni, Ford Motor Company Chair and professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Honda – Ohio State Partnership Award
- David B. Williams, dean emeritus and special advisor to executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge enterprise
Lumley Interdisciplinary Research Award
- Andre Palmer, professor, William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Lumley Research Award
- Marat Khafizov, associate professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Congratulations to all of the 2021 Distinguished Faculty Award winners. Visit the College of Engineering website for the full list of recipients.