Industrial Engineering Professor Becomes Fellow for Systems Engineers Institute
Burak Eksioglu, professor of industrial engineering, was named a fellow of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers. The honor recognizes outstanding leaders of the profession who have made significant, nationally recognized contributions to industrial and systems engineering. Eksioglu’s research is focused on the area of optimization with applications in transportation, logistics, supply chain management and healthcare. His research has been sponsored by, among others, the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, NASA, and the industry. He joined the Department of Industrial Engineering in 2019.
Dean Kim Needy Honored as Distinguished Alumna by Alma Mater
Kim Needy, dean of the College of Engineering and Irma F. and Raymond F. Giffels Endowed Chair in Engineering, was among seven alumni honored as part of the 2024 Class of Distinguished Alumni for the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering. A native of Pittsburgh, Needy earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in industrial engineering from the Swanson School of Engineering in 1984 and 1987, respectively. She earned her Ph.D. at Wichita State University.
Biomedical Researcher Receives Campus’s First NIH MERIT Award
Younghye Song, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, was awarded a $2.5 million National Institutes of Health R37 grant, also known as a MERIT Award, from the National Cancer Institute. This prestigious grant will fund Song’s independent research for five years with the opportunity to extend funding with satisfactory research progress. Song is the first on campus to receive an NIH MERIT Award. Her research investigates how breast cancer metabolism is regulated. The goal is to gain insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms surrounding tumor metabolic rewiring, innervation and metastasis.
Professor Named Fellow of Civil Engineering Society
Gary Prinz, professor of civil engineering, was named a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. This peer-endorsed recognition is the highest honor bestowed by the society, with fewer than 3% of members receiving the recognition. Prinz joined U of A in 2014. Throughout his tenure, Prinz has helped secure more than $10 million in research funding. He is director of the Grady E. Harvell Civil Engineering Research and Education Center, which opened in 2021. His research focuses on structural engineering aimed at enhancing the safety and resilience of infrastructure.
Biomedical Faculty Member Among Campus’s ‘Extraordinary Women’
Rebekah Samsonraj, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, was recognized by the Chancellor’s Commission on Women as among the campus’s Extraordinary Women for the 2023-24 school year. According to the chancellor’s office, “An extraordinary woman leads by example, is a role model and an inspiration for others seeking gender equality and women’s empowerment. They empower those around them and make a positive impact on women’s experiences on our campus.” Samsonraj’s research focuses on quality of stem cells used in regenerative medicine treatments.
Civil Engineering Professor Named Fellow of Engineering Mechanics Institute
R. Panneer Selvam, a University Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, has been named a Fellow of the Engineering Mechanics Institute. This prestigious recognition is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of engineering mechanics and have demonstrated outstanding leadership within the community. He is the first member of the civil engineering faculty to receive this appointment. Selvam has been a vital member of faculty since 1986, and his innovative work in computational mechanics, wind engineering, and structural dynamics has earned him a reputation as a leading authority in his field.
Zhang Lands Trailblazer Award from National Institutes of Health
Jian Zhang, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, received a National Institutes of Health Trailblazer R21 Award to study the critical role cellular contractility plays in both development and disease. This $580,000 award from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering will provide three years of independent research funding in support of Zhang’s work. The Trailblazer Award is an opportunity for new and early-stage investigators to pursue research programs at the interface of life sciences with engineering and physical sciences. Zhang’s lab focuses on developing novel quantitative and mechanical tools to help understand biomedical science and apply those tools and new knowledge to help improve human health.