Mai Zheng, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, has received a National Science Foundation CAREER award to improve computer storage systems’ ability to protect data during crashes and other disruptions. He will receive more than $500,000 over the next five years to support his work.
A team led by Iowa State University’s Michael Bartlett has created a new composite, called a liquid metal programmed elastomer (LMPE), where liquid metal can be loaded up to 70% in precise, programmable patterns throughout the material.
Tom Mansell, assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering, has received a National Science Foundation CAREER award to create engineered probiotics that may be a new way to treat illnesses like obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Two Cyclone Engineers have received top faculty promotions, recognizing outstanding excellence in teaching, research, service and professional practice. Manimaran Govindarasu has been named an Anson Marston Distinguished Professor. Gary Mirka has been named University Professor.
Cyclone Engineer Cristina Poleacovschi studies how to build community resilience during challenges like natural disasters or economic changes. In this time of unprecedented challenges, Poleacovschi offers steps her work has shown help community resilience.
A new $2.5 million grant will help an interdisciplinary team of researchers analyze innovative approaches to improving urban sustainability. Cyclone Engineers lend expertise to a team that will study various approaches to bolstering local food production in Des Moines and the surrounding area – and how those approaches could affect nutrition, waste and environmental impacts.
Three Iowa State University Cyclone Engineers have been selected for 2019 National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER). CAREER awards are the NSF’s most prestigious awards given to early-career faculty. The program aims to build a firm foundation for leadership in integrating research and education. Leifur Leifsson, assistant professor of aerospace engineering, Matthew Panthani, assistant professor chemical and biological engineering, and Soumik Sarkar, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, join 11 other active CAREER awards in the College of Engineering.
Alex King, Iowa State professor of materials science and engineering, is the recipient of the 2019 Acta Materialia Hollomon Award for Materials and Society. The award recognizes King’s outstanding leadership in promoting the understanding of material science’s significant impact on society.
Iowa State is home to a new National Science Foundation traineeship program preparing the next generation of food-energy-water (FEW) systems innovators. Open to both masters and Ph.D. students, the DataFEWSion program offers a unique focus on data-rich systems modeling at the intersection of energy transformation, water management, and cropping and livestock systems.
Cyclone Engineers are staying at the forefront of emerging, cross-disciplinary areas of research with the help of a new faculty-led lecture series. Launched last fall, Iowa State engineering faculty, post docs and grad students are coming together to exchange expertise focused on fast-moving areas of engineering.
HNI Corporation of Muscatine, Iowa, has announced a $1 million commitment to Iowa State University that will enhance the educational experience on campus and help prepare leaders for tomorrow’s innovative, interdisciplinary workplace. HNI’s gift will support construction of the Student Innovation Center on the west side of campus. Funded through the Iowa Legislature and private gifts, the center will be a flagship facility reflecting and elevating Iowa State’s commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship and experiential education. Construction began in March 2017, with completion anticipated for January 2020.
Monica Lamm, associate professor of chemical and biological engineering, has been appointed one of the first faculty fellows in the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT). She will expand CELT’s faculty programming, including the development of a Teaching and Learning Academy for new faculty members and leadership of the Teaching Partners program.
Two chemical and biological engineering graduate students have been honored for research and teaching excellence. Anuraag Boddupalli received the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering’s Research Excellence Award and Teaching Excellence Award, recognizing both his outstanding success in research work and in engaging CBE students. Fatima Enam is the department’s nominee for the Iowa State University Brown Graduate Fellowship, a fellowship offered by Iowa State’s Office of the Vice President for Research.
Iowa State University’s Micro-g Neutral Buoyancy Experiment Design Team (Micro-g NExT) has been selected to advance to Phase II of the NASA design competition. Micro-g NExT challenges undergraduate students to design, build and test a tool or device that addresses a real-life space exploration challenge. Iowa State’s team has been selected to conduct test operations in the simulated microgravity environment at the NASA Johnson Space Center Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory.
