2022-2023 Engineering Faculty Awards Announced
The School of Engineering is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2022-23 faculty awards: Amr Elkady, Adjunct Lecturer of the Year Award; Ralph Morganstern, Markle Award; Kurt Schab and Xiang Li, Researcher of the Year Award; Bill Lu, Teaching Excellence Award; Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Special Dean's Recognition Award.
Markle Award - Ralph Morganstern
Starting from 1991, Dr. Morganstern has been teaching applied mathematics at SCU, and throughout the years, he has taught numerous probability and numerical analysis courses, incorporating real-world examples from his extensive background in the aerospace industry. His students have continuously praised his enthusiastic teaching style, clear explanations, and dedication to their success. Apart from his teaching, Ralph has also applied fundamental physics concepts in his scholarly work to develop mathematical models and algorithms for applications such as image enhancement, atmospheric optics, communications, and radar data processing.
Adjunct Lecturer of the Year Award - Amr Elkady
Praised for his "amazing teaching style" and beloved by students and colleagues as a positive influence, and for his supportive attitude, Amr Elkady teaches primarily in the graduate program for Computer Science and Engineering Department. While teaching graduate systems courses, his students particularly praise his ability to convey key concepts effectively, guiding students easily through the material while being an easily available resource to his students as he simultaneously encouraged their curiosity, inspiring them to research further and self-learn, through his thoughtful projects and assignments.
Researcher of the Year Award - Kurt Schab
Dr. Kurt Schab is an accomplished researcher with a particular emphasis on the theory, modeling, and design of open electromagnetic systems. He has demonstrated exceptional research productivity through his numerous publications in high-profile journals and presentations at leading conferences. His contributions have led to fruitful collaborations with renowned laboratories and institutions worldwide, demonstrating the impact of his work in the field. As a co-PI, he has secured research grants amounting to approximately $925K. His dedication to undergraduate research is also noteworthy and has earned him recognition from his colleagues. Kurts’s accomplishments and contributions to his field demonstrate his expertise, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence.
Researcher of the Year Award - Xiang Li
Dr. Xiang Li is an accomplished Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, who has made significant contributions to the field of cyber-physical systems and online social networks. Her research has advanced the state-of-the-art in these areas and she has been recognized for her outstanding work as the sole PI of several prestigious awards, including the NSF CRII award and the Google Cloud Research Grant. Xiang has an extensive publication record in top-tier journals and conferences, and her works have been widely cited. She is also an active member of the academic community, having served as an NSF panelist and associate editor for various journals. Additionally, she is a passionate advocate for Women in Data Science and serves as a dedicated ambassador, inspiring the next generation of female researchers and scientists.
Award for Teaching Excellence - Bill Lu, Bioengineering
Dr. Bill Lu is an exemplary teaching scholar. He has made significant contributions to the development of new bioengineering curricula, and students consistently praise him for his dedication, inspirational teaching style, and willingness to provide support. With a unique qualification of holding both an M.D. and Ph.D., he has provided invaluable guidance to pre-med students throughout the medical school application process. He is also an enthusiastic mentor who provides exclusive research opportunities to students. As a result of his mentorship, several students have co-authored peer-reviewed journal publications and became co-inventors of patents under his NIH-funded research projects. Bill's exceptional commitment to curriculum development, teaching, and mentoring students throughout their academic journey is truly remarkable.