Faculty, staff recognized at Engineering Research Awards banquet
Published: Sep 25, 2026 9:00 AM
By Joe McAdory
Staff research excellence award-winner Kyle Castellano, left, research engineer at the Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems, with Mario Eden, dean of engineering.
Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering honored faculty and staff at the college's Engineering Research Awards banquet on Thursday, Sept. 24.
The awards recognize outstanding contributions that exemplify innovation, collaboration and real-world impact.
“Research is driven by curiosity, ingenuity and a commitment to solving problems that matter,” said Allan David, associate dean for research. “As engineers, that’s what we do. We solve problems. Our discoveries advance knowledge, create new possibilities and deliver solutions that strengthen industries, support communities and improve lives. We are proud to recognize the impact our faculty and staff make through research and innovation.”
The 2026 Engineering Research Awards recipients are:
- Center for Excellence Award — National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT)
- Collaborative Research Award — Ali Khosravi, associate professor, civil and environmental engineering
- Community Impact Award — Michael Zabala, professor, mechanical engineering
- Graduate Student Mentorship Award — Xiao Qin, professor, computer science and software engineering
- Grantsmanship Award — Pradeep Lall, mechanical engineering
- Publication Excellence Award — Nima Shamsaei, professor, mechanical engineering
- Staff Research Award — Kyle Castellano, research engineer, Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (ICAMS)
Research Awards for Excellence
Department of Aerospace Engineering
Senior Faculty
David Scarborough, associate professor
Junior Faculty
Nek Sharan, assistant professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Senior Faculty
Lauren Beckingham, associate professor
Junior Faculty
Kadir Sener, associate professor
Department of Chemical Engineering
Senior Faculty
Virginia Davis, professor
Junior Faculty
Symone Alexander, assistant professor
Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering
Junior Faculty
Sathya Aakur, associate professor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Senior Faculty
Shiwen Mao, professor, director of the Wireless Engineering Research and Education Center
Junior Faculty
Bosen Lian, assistant professor
Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Senior Faculty
Greg Purdy, associate professor
Junior Faculty
Missie Smith, assistant professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Senior Faculty
Jeff Suhling, professor
Junior Faculty
Scott Martin, assistant professor
Media Contact: , jem0040@auburn.edu, 334.844.3447
