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Among the 2007 honorees was Brian Lamb, regents’ professor with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, who was named recipient of the Anjan Bose Outstanding Researcher Award.
A WSU faculty member for more than 25 years, Lamb is an international leader in the area of regional air quality research. He and his collaborators led the development of the Biogenic Emission Inventory System, which the Environmental Protection Agency adopted as a tool to address ozone problems. The system allows regulators to take into account how trees and natural organics impact pollution problems. Understanding vegetation’s role is also important in understanding the role and interaction of natural and human emissions in climate change.
Lamb’s research group also developed one of the first numerical air quality forecast systems in the nation. Currently operating on a daily basis in the
As the author of more than 110 peer-reviewed papers and several book chapters, Lamb is frequently cited by other researchers, particularly for his work on biogenic trace gas emissions. He has mentored 15 doctoral and 25 master’s degree students and was named a WSU Regents’ Professor in 2005.
“Brian Lamb is a highly successful researcher, internationally recognized and respected by his peers, and he has sustained a level of research productivity that is exemplary,’’ said Dave McLean, chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “His contributions to our understanding of biogenic emissions to air quality and to global climate change cannot be overstated. Dr. Lamb has, without a doubt, greatly contributed to WSU’s international reputation.’’
Lamb will discuss ‘Regional Air Quality Modeling: Short Term Forecasts and Long Range Climate Predictions’ at the
David Lin, assistant professor in the
Lin, who joined the faculty of WSU in 2002, is one of the founding architects of the new bioengineering degree program and was actively involved in the development of the bioengineering curriculum. He developed and taught several new courses, including Introduction to Bioengineering, Bioinstrumentation (BE 330), Unified Systems Bioengineering II (BE 440), and portions of a senior/graduate course (BE 425/525 Biomechanics).
In developing the BE 440 course, Lin collaborated with another faculty member to blend human physiology, engineering, control systems, and system dynamics. The emphasis in the course was on creating analogs between the systems learned in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering courses to those found in the human body.
“This approach is novel and has proven successful at WSU, as current graduates are ready to apply their knowledge in the workforce,’’ Lin’s colleagues wrote in nominating him for the award.
“Dr. Lin’s commitment to the development of a reputable program in bioengineering here at WSU is remarkable,’’ they wrote. “He works hard to ensure students are well-prepared to enter whatever post-graduation endeavors they desire.’’
In addition to his contribution to course and curriculum development in bioengineering, students have said they greatly appreciate Lin’s teaching methods and style. As a successful researcher in the area of muscle mechanics, he has a depth of knowledge that he can share with his students. They also have said they appreciate that he explains the motivation for learning a topic and how it relates to other courses taught within the department and throughout the university.
One student wrote that she struggled in some of her classes as she pursued her bioengineering degree and considered changing her major
“I remember going to his office frustrated because I couldn’t solve a problem or not knowing what questions to ask, and leaving his office telling myself, ‘I can do this,’’’ she wrote. “Dr. Lin did not convince me of my potential by just telling me, but rather, he provided the tools and guidance to help me realize it.’’
Named the college’s outstanding sophomore was Stephanie Pitts, originally from
A co-valedictorian of her high school class, Pitts’ includes among her hobbies horseback riding, for which she was named Youth of the Year by the American Morgan Horse Association, resulting in an all-expense paid trip to
Majoring in civil engineering with a second major in Spanish,
An Eagle Scout and the valedictorian of his high school class, Street also plays trumpet in the Cougar Marching Band and is a member of WSU’s student chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers and the Honors Student Advisory Council. He has served also as an Honors College Ambassador. In his spare time, he enjoys playing piano, as well as backpacking, skiing, and biking.
Originally from
He has received numerous engineering scholarships and a Cougar Academic Award. He is active in the WSU chapter of Tau Beta Pi, where he is serving as president. He is also active in the student chapter of the
Named Outstanding Teaching Assistant was Mohammad Al-Khedher, a native of
“Mohammad Al_Khedher is a dedicated and effective teaching assistant,’’ wrote his nominator. “He has made a significant contribution to our undergraduate program through his conscientious and enthusiastic efforts as a TA.’’
Al-Khedher is working toward a doctorate in mechanical engineering, in which he is studying carbon nanotubes characterization and quality analysis through artificial intelligence. He aspires to a career in research and teaching.
Staff Excellence Awards were presented to Paul Golter, instructional supervisor, School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering and Lola Gillespie, fiscal manager, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Gillespie serves as fiscal specialist for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. She is known for being organized, knowledgeable, and diligent in providing support to a wide variety of activities. She is able to meet short deadlines and completes work accurately and with a positive attitude.
“I never hesitate to ask Lola for help, knowing that my request will be professionally and cheerfully acknowledged and dealt with in a timely manner,’’ wrote her nominator.
Golter has worked as a laboratory technician and as computer systems operator for the
“Paul is highly dedicated to his responsibilities, strives to assist students to the best of his ability, has a high concern for the safety of the students, and most of all, I feel that he has contributed a great deal to my learning experiences here at WSU,’’ wrote one student.
Named as the college’s Employee of the Year was John Yates,
“He’s a jack-of-all trades, literally,’’ wrote one of his nominators. “It doesn’t matter if our requests fall within his job description. He does it anyway, or sees that it gets done.’’
Brian Lamb
Anjan Bose Outstanding Researcher Award
David Lin
Reid Miller Outstanding Teaching Faculty
Stephanie Pitts
Outstanding Sophomore
David Anthony Street
Outstanding Junior
Michael Turi
Outstanding Senior
Mohammad Al-Khedher
Outstanding Teaching Assistant
Paul Golter
Staff Excellence Award
Lola Gillespie
Staff Excellence Award