Embodying The Mission: Teaching
Auburn Engineering faculty turn teaching into a platform for creativity, mentorship and impact
By Olivia Ballard
Xiao Qin, professor and director of graduate programs in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, and Michael Zabala, Auburn Alumni Engineering Council associate professor, exemplify leadership in teaching and mentorship within the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering.
Qin, who has supervised 36 doctoral students as well as master’s and undergraduate researchers, has been teaching at Auburn since 2007.
“I was drawn to Auburn for the opportunity to educate Alabama’s brightest students and provide them with a world-class learning experience,” Qin said. “The exceptional quality of our students and the supportive environment for instructional growth are what stand out to me.”
At the 19th annual Auburn University Faculty Awards ceremony, Qin was recognized for his dedication to student success with the Gerald and Emily Leischuck Endowed Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching. He was also among four Auburn faculty members selected for the 2025-26 SEC Academic Leadership Development Fellowship cohort.
Qin said the classroom is a stage for creativity. Through interactive performances and “magic shows,” he brings energy that encourages students to engage more deeply with their studies.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to mentor Auburn Engineering students who go on to achieve national honors and prestigious careers,” Qin said. “Seeing the lightbulb moment when a student finally grasps a complex mathematical model because it was presented through a memorable performance is why I find this profession so fulfilling.”
Zabala completed his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering at Auburn in 2007 and returned to the university in 2016 to introduce a new biomechanics area of study.
Zabala serves as the director of the Auburn University Biomechanical Engineering Lab, or the AUBE Lab. There, he founded XO Armor Technologies Inc. in 2019, serving as chairman and chief research officer. XO Armor Technologies specializes in 3D-printed injury care, a technique he brings to the classroom and research labs, giving students firsthand exposure to cutting-edge engineering applications.
Zabala’s teaching also extends beyond the Auburn campus. Since 2019, he has led Engineering in the Arts, a study abroad program in Florence, Italy, that introduces engineering concepts through art, architecture and music. The program, later expanded into a condensed continuing education opportunity for alumni and others, uses the Renaissance as a framework for exploring figures such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo while connecting biomechanics, musical instruments, sculpture and architecture to engineering principles.
In 2019, Zabala was recognized for his excellence and dedication to teaching with the Fred H. Pumphrey Teaching Award, the merit Walker Teaching Award for Excellence and the Mark A. Spencer Creative Mentorship Award. In 2025, he won the superior Walker Teaching Award for Excellence, the highest honor for instruction in the College of Engineering.
“Education is empowering,” Zabala said. “It equips students to understand the world more deeply and to engage meaningfully. I am inspired daily by watching our students grow, both academically and professionally, as they prepare to serve society and represent Auburn.”
Above all else, Qin and Zabala demonstrate a strong commitment to their students through teaching, mentorship and leadership.
“What stands out to me most about being a professor at Auburn is the unity of the Auburn Family,” Zabala said. “There is a shared commitment among students, alumni, faculty and staff to support one another and prioritize the student experience.”