The award winners include Hal Westberg, faculty member in civil and environmental engineering, named outstanding research faculty; Reid Miller, faculty member in chemical engineering, outstanding teaching faculty; Lisa Anne Deibler, outstanding sophomore; Ahmad Bayomy, outstanding junior; Brian Drake, outstanding senior; Eric Biesen, outstanding teaching assistant; Robert Duncan, manager, Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory, staff excellence award; Tina Hilding, communications coordinator; College of Engineering and Architecture, staff excellence award; and Karla Kalasz, drafting technician supervisor and instructor, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, employee of the year.
Westberg is a recognized world leader in the areas of atmospheric measurements and greenhouse emissions. Many widely used techniques for trace gas measurements in the atmosphere are based on his research, which has led to a better understanding of the role of emissions from vegetation in atmospheric chemistry and pollution, particularly in ozone formation. Working with other researchers in the Laboratory for Atmospheric Research, Westberg helped to develop the Biogenic Emission Inventory System, which the Environmental Protection Agency adopted as a tool to address ozone problems. As a result of the research, regulators better appreciate the importance of taking into account natural organics.
Understanding vegetation’s role is also important in understanding the role and interaction of natural and human emissions in climate change. This work continues, so that he has a key role in a NSF Biocomplexity grant aimed at the development of new methods for measuring biogenic hydrocarbon emissions. His long-term data set from a forested site in
Westberg has also led efforts to better understand emissions of methane into the atmosphere. While methane is less prevalent in the atmosphere than other greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, it is much better at trapping in heat, which is the concern with climate change. Westberg worked with researchers in animal sciences studying methane emission from livestock and from natural gas. The group developed a unique technique to trace methane emissions that has been used to collect a methane emissions database from a variety of sources. Their technique has been applied around the world so that researchers can accurately measure the amount of methane emissions and look at ways to reduce them. With the recent adoption of the Kyoto Protocol treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many nations will use Westberg’s technology to document the role of livestock emissions, as required by the treaty.
He has also been a leader in measurements of pollutant trace gases in urban environments, where he worked with faculty member Brian Lamb on a pioneering study to develop extensive measurement and modeling capabilities in the Portland-Seattle airshed. He has been responsible for an extensive sampling program for air toxics in
Westberg has a strong record of external support, including funding from NASA, the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He has 90 refereed publications in national and international journals and books, and his work has been cited more than 800 times. Westberg’s leadership, mentoring of faculty and students, and many technical contributions has played a key role in the success of the Laboratory for Atmospheric Research.
“He is held in high esteem by his colleagues and has a well-deserved reputation for excellence in research,’’ his nominators wrote.
Miller, recognized by students as an outstanding teacher, is the first professor that new chemical engineering students usually encounter at WSU. He is well respected for his excellent organization and for grading students fairly. He knows his subject well and his lectures are “crystal clear,” his nominators wrote. He is very willing to provide students with one-on-one help. In his course evaluations, students often provide comments such as, “best class ever at WSU.’’ The graduating class of 2002 organized a student award for teaching excellence and named it after Miller.
He served as dean of the college from 1984-1995. Since 1995, he has taught 19 undergraduate courses and two graduate courses with consistently high ratings. He has received the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Outstanding Teacher Award six times and has served as the student adviser for the engineering honor society, Tau Beta Pi. Miller participates in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers student chapter events and activities and is a popular student adviser for undergraduates. He has participated in workshops through organizations, like the American Society for Engineering Education, to improve his teaching. He participated in two workshops last year on effective teaching methods and peer review of teaching. He has revamped courses, including Chemical Engineering 301 (thermodynamics) and Chemical Engineering 211 (process simulation). He also worked over several years to upgrade senior design laboratory courses in terms of academic experience and instructional equipment, converting the lab courses into project-based team learning experiences.
Miller maintains an active research program in the areas of properties of fluid and fluid mixtures, including fuels and environmentally friendly refrigerants. He also studies desorption of volatile organics from porous solids; this work is applicable to the cleanup of underground environments polluted by liquid fuels and solvents.
“Dr. Miller has an open door policy, and the door is really open – except in the winter when it’s cold in the hall, and it’s only ‘ajar,’’’ writes his nominators.
“Most of all, Dr. Miller is passionate about teaching and helping students,’’ wrote one student. “On several occasions I have gone in to see Dr. Miller for help on homework, or just advice, and he has always been able to help me.’’
Deibler is studying materials science and engineering with a minor in music at WSU. She has received numerous awards and scholarships, including the 2003-2004 Battelle National Merit Scholarship, a WSU Distinguished Presidential Scholarship, Kaiser Aluminum and Chem Corp. Scholarship and the Harrison Scholarship. She also participates in American Society of Materials/The Materials Society student chapter, the
Bayomy is studying bioengineering with a premedicine option and maintains an excellent academic track record. He is active in a number of activities, including the bioengineering club as its president and as a volunteer at
Drake has been active in the civil engineering community at WSU, where he has held a number of positions in the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, including president and as co-captain of the concrete canoe team. He has also participated in the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the American Water Works Association and intramural flag football—all while maintaining a 3.99 grade point average. Drake was named outstanding sophomore for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 2003 and outstanding junior in 2004. He has also been recognized as a member of WSU Mortar Board and the President’s Honor Roll. He recently participated as a member of the WSU team at the GeoFrontiers Conference student competition in Austin , Texas
Biesen was awarded outstanding teaching assistant for Mechanical Engineering 303 (fundamentals of fluids). The course is large and is comprised of students from several engineering disciplines. Students in the course found him to be available, helpful and fair in grading. According to his nominators, he was “approachable and affable,” knew his material well and did an outstanding job, in spite of the fact that fluid mechanics aren’t his primary interest. Biesen has a love of sports and worked as a research assistant in the Sports Science Laboratory, where he studies solid mechanics and dynamics as they pertain to the performance of baseball and softball bats. He hopes to complete a master’s degree in mechanical engineering in spring 2006 and enter a career in the sports science industry.
Hilding, as the communications coordinator for the college, is responsible for the College of Engineering and Architecture alumni publication “Innovation,” as well as press releases, stories for university publications, field of study brochures and other recruitment materials, the college central area’s Web content and an electronic monthly newsletter. She is also responsible for making sure that the college participates in the branding communication efforts underway for the university. Hilding is constantly in search of new avenues to promote the college’s research and student projects. “She is absolutely passionate about getting our story out,’’ her nominators wrote. “She reaches out to our faculty to uncover the ‘gems.’’’
Kalasz teaches engineering graphics and computer aided design (Mechanical Engineering 103), in which more than 100 students are enrolled each semester. As she teaches freshmen in mechanical and materials engineering, and civil and environmental engineering, she is often the first instructor within the discipline that most students meet. Nearly every student in civil engineering and mechanical engineering goes through classes that she supervises. Kalasz is known as a thorough and effective instructor who is always looking for news ways to improve her teaching and her students’ understanding of the materials. She has made a substantial impact on the engineering programs, as she has been with the
