Faculty Affairs
2026 Staff & Faculty College Awards
In October 2025, the College of Engineering launched a comprehensive award selection
process that included forming a review committee, developing award criteria and descriptions,
soliciting nominations and applications, and evaluating candidates. This effort culminated
in the inaugural College of Engineering Awards Ceremony on May 5, 2026.
The review committee, composed of 12 faculty members, staff, and graduate students,
selected recipients across 12 award categories. We are pleased to recognize the following
outstanding individuals for their achievements and contributions:
Stavros Vakalis
EXCELLENCE in RESEARCH and ENTREPRENEURSHIP (Early Career)
Tramaine Polk
STAFF AWARD for EXCELLENCE
Ahmadreza Vaselbehagh
EXCELLENCE in RESEARCH and ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Maile Sinclair-Baxter
STAFF INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
Hadi Gard (Charkhgard)
OUTSTANDING ENGINEERING TEACHING AWARD (GRADUATE)
Yusuf Emirov, Richard Everly, Robert Tufts, Sclafani Louis-Jeune. Jay Bieber (Not
Pictured)
STAFF INNOVATION AWARD
Meisam Asgari
OUTSTANDING ENGINEERING TEACHING AWARD (UNDERGRADUATE)
Amy Lyn Medicielo
STAFF OUTSTANDING ADVISING AWARD
Alex Otten
EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Nathan Gallant, Alice Moreno, Ryan Huff, Eesha Bhattacharjee, Sharon Pinson, Cenia
Vallaro & Andrea Teitler
STAFF-FACULTY PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Nathan Gallant
EXCELLENCE IN MENTORING AND ADVISING
Ismail Uysal
FACULTY OUTSTANDING ADVISING AWARD