Washington State University Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture recognized outstanding faculty and staff at its annual convocation ceremony and celebration on May 8.
Anjan Bose Outstanding Researcher Award
Xianming Shi
Shi, chair of WSU’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors and a fellow of the ASCE, recognized for his significant contributions to civil engineering research, teaching, and professional service. His research has resulted in mechanistic understanding of how nanoscience and nanoengineering can benefit infrastructure durability and enable sustainability. He is ranked in the top 1% among all the scholars in the building and construction field, and his research contributions include more than 180 journal articles, several books, patents, and numerous other publications. He has an H-index of 55 and more than 11,000 citations by peers.
Junior Faculty Research Award
Dominic Scalise
Since joining WSU in 2020, Scalise, assistant professor in the Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, has made exceptional contributions to the field of molecular computing. His research focuses on the development of DNA-powered computing systems, a groundbreaking approach that utilizes DNA molecules instead of traditional electronics for processing information. His pioneering research in DNA-powered computing has been recognized through prestigious grants such as the National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award. He has mentored 2 PhD students and 8 undergraduate researchers, including two students who have earned WSU Undergraduate Research Awards. His commitment extends beyond his laboratory. He co-founded the Molecular Programming Society, an international collaboration of more than 140 researchers aimed at advancing research and education in the field.
Reid Miller Excellence in Teaching Award (Career Track Faculty)
Jacob Murray
Murray from the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science joined the WSU Everett Electrical Engineering program as the inaugural instructor and program coordinator in 2014 and continues to lead the program and instruct classes from the Everett campus. He has a passion for engineering education, and his passion drives him toward excellence both inside and outside of the classroom. He has distinguished himself as an exceptional educator and mentor who always works on behalf of students. As a professor, Murray teaches multiple core junior and senior level electrical engineering courses, including the senior capstone project. He is extremely dedicated to his students, truly putting his heart into the classes he teaches and is a huge part of his student’s educational developments.
Reid Miller Excellence in Teaching Award (Tenure Track Faculty)
Sasha McLarty
With the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering since 2018, McLarty has established herself as one of the distinguished instructors and mentors in the department. She is a highly engaged, well-respected instructor and mentor, who provides innovative and transformative education to both undergraduate and graduate students. One of her student nominators said, “As a student who has taken all three of Dr. McLarty’s classes, I can attest to the transformative impact of her teaching methods and the lasting impression she leaves on students’ academic growth and personal development.”
Voiland College Safety Award
Md Monzurul Islam Anoy
Anoy from the Voiland School Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering has a dedication to promoting safety awareness and instilling a culture of responsibility within the academic community that is truly exemplary. Anoy contributes to advancing safety procedures in Voiland School’s laboratories where he monitors and reports unsafe practices and works effectively with faculty and graduate students.
Voiland College Employee Excellence Awards
Kate Barnes
School of Design and Construction
Barnes works as SDC’s administrative manager where her excellent work management skills and dedication have transformed the SDC administrative office into an efficient environment. She brings an attitude of excellence to work with her every day that has lifted all of SDC’s employees and students up. Her nominators say, “You want to work with Kate. She is diligent, honest to a fault, empathetic and most importantly, pays attention to detail. She is tenacious about getting things right, using a wide range of resources to get the answers needed to resolve the wide range of challenges that we face in the school. Through and through, Kate is always professional and pleasant in working side by side with you to get things done.”
Samantha Bailey
Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering
Bailey serves as the Student Services Coordinator/Advisor for the Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering. She has provided exceptional assistance to graduate students, earning high respect and appreciation for her knowledge and support. One example of Bailey’s commitment came this past winter, when she drove graduate students to Lewiston to get their social security numbers, which are needed for their official employment at WSU. She noticed that the graduate students did not have any transportation to Lewiston and drove them during the heavy snow. “I know that no matter the time or day, if her door is open, I can walk in and solve my problems quickly and completely,” said one of her nominators. “She works hard and efficiently. More than her work ethic and efficiency, however, it’s the nurture and care that she imbues in her work that has made every one of my interactions with her a delight. When I picture Samantha, I picture a warm smile.”
Staff Excellence Award
Gwen Miller
Miller is the administrative manager in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Over the years, Miller has gained tremendous experience and institutional knowledge that has become a major asset to the core operations in the school. Her nominators say Miller is a team player and has become the backbone of the school, where she consistently goes above and beyond when it comes to providing excellence for students, alumni, donors, staff, and faculty.
In addition, Treva Beebe, Kris Kyne, Miles Pepper, Gordon Peterson, Tammy Kelly, Paul Wilmoth, Kasey Schertenleib, Jason Minor, Xianming Shi, Shelley Pressley, and Haluk Beyenal also received recognition awards at the event.
