KU Engineering Recognizes 2025-2026 Award Winners
The School of Engineering welcomed eight new faculty members and recognized award winners from the past year at a reception on Sept. 9. Here's a rundown of the award winners and faculty awarded named professorships this year.
New faculty
- Zachary Campbell, Assistant Prof. of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
- Jessica Centers, Assistant Prof. of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
- Md Mazharul Islam, Assistant Prof. of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
- Kai Luo, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering (starts Jan. 2027)
- Dongjun Mah, Assistant Prof. of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering
- Amit Ojha, Assistant Prof. of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering
- John Paden, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
- Sarah Sebo, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Award Winners
Miller Professional Award for Research
Alex Bardas, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Miller Professional Award for Service
Juan Bravo Suárez, Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
Sharp Teaching Professorship
Felipe Anaya, Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
Bellows Scholar Award for Outstanding Research
Xinmai Yang, Mechanical Engineering
Heechul Yun, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Bellows Scholar Award for Outstanding Contributions to Engineering Education
Mark Shiflett, Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
Sara Wilson, Mechanical Engineering
Miller Scholar Award for Outstanding Early-Career Research
Masoud Kalantari, Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
Hongyang Sun, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Miller Scholar Award for Outstanding Service to the University of Kansas
Brian Lines, Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering
Karen Nordheden, Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
Staff Award for Outstanding Service to Students
Ronda Morgison, Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering
Ash Shadrick, Mechanical Engineering
Staff Award for Outstanding Service to Research
Jennifer Laverentz, CReSIS
Jessica Tami, EARTH
Staff Award for Outstanding Administrative Service
Nathan Fortner, Engineering Facilities
Alex Pang, Engineering Student Success
New Professorship Appointments
Professors
Alex Bertuccio, Chemical & Petroleum Engineering: Tunison Professor
Ron Hui, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science: Dean E. Ackers Professor
Alexandra Kondyli, Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering: Deane E. Ackers Professor
Kevin Leonard, Chemical & Petroleum Engineering: Deane E. Ackers Professor
Fengjun Li, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science: McClendon Professor
Candan Tamerler, Mechanical Engineering: Charles E. & Mary Jane Spahr Professor
ZJ Wang, AE: Charles E. & Mary Jane Spahr Professor
Beth Ward, School of Engineering Administration: Vann SELF Professor
Heechul Yun, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science: McClendon Professor
Scholars
Morteza Hashemi, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science: McClendon Scholar