College of Engineering honors four additional faculty with named professorships

In August 2023, four faculty in the College of Engineering were awarded named professorships. An endowed professorship is the highest academic honor the college can bestow on a faculty member; these are also a tribute to those who fund them. The college now has 29 faculty who hold associate professorships or professorships.

Funds for the professorships are provided by private gifts to the University of Nebraska Foundation to support distinguished engineering faculty.

“Endowed professorships recognize our best faculty and are critical to recruiting and retaining top talent. They provide resources to faculty that allow them to enrich the learning experience for our students and to pursue groundbreaking research and advance their respective fields,” said Lance C. Pérez, dean of the College of Engineering. “They also elevate the reputation of the college and our programs.”

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of alumni and friends of the college who support our faculty with named professorships at all levels of their career,” he added.

The new professorships include: 

Justin Bradley, Richard L. and Carol S. McNeel Associate Professor of Computing

Dr. Bradley’s research combines control theory and computer science to improve autonomy in aerospace vehicles. He co-directs the Nebraska Intelligent MoBile Unmanned Systems (NIMBUS) Lab, developing single- and multi-agent robotic solutions to facilitate novel domain applications. He is an NSF CAREER award winner and an AIAA Associate Fellow.

George Gogos, Wilmer J. and Sally Hergenrader Chair of Mechanical Engineering

Primary research areas for Dr. Gogos include flow and heat transfer using functionalized metallic surfaces, micro-fluidics, flame weeding, and vaporizing and combusting sprays. He serves as co-director for the Center for Electro-Optics and Functionalized Surfaces and is co-founder of a start-up company developing equipment for certified organic weed control.

Shudipto Dishari, Ross McCollum Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Dr. Dishari has received numerous national awards and grants for her teaching and research efforts, including an NSF CAREER Award, a DOE Early Career Award, a 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award, an ACS-PMSE Young Investigator Award, and a NUtech Innovator Award. She focuses on polymers and nanomaterials for sustainable energy, waste valorization, and biomedical applications.

Rajib Saha, Richard L. and Carol S. McNeel Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Focusing on the discovery and redesign of non-model microbes, plants and microbial consortia – including via an NSF CAREER Award - Dr. Saha uses computational and experimental techniques to produce bio-renewables or answering biological questions regarding metabolism, health and environment, such as for ethanol production.

Continuing professorships:

• Vitaly Alexandrov, Richard L. McNeel Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Shannon Bartelt-Hunt, Donald R. Voelte and Nancy A. Keegan Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Mehmet Can Vuran, Dale M. Jensen Chair in Computing
• Bai Cui, R. Vernon McBroom Associate Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
• Brittany Duncan, Ross McCollum Associate Professor of Computing
• Bruce Dvorak, Ray Fauss Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Yuris Dzenis, R. Vernon McBroom College Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
• Shane Farritor, David B. and Nancy K. Lederer Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
• Nathan Huynh, Keith W. Klassmeyer Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Natale Ianno, Lott Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Daniel Linzell, Leslie D. Martin Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Yongfeng Lu, Lott University Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Ryan Pedrigi, Robert F. and Myrna L. Krohn Assistant Professor of Biological Engineering
• Lance C. Pérez, Omar H. Heins Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Wei Qiao, Clyde Hyde Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Ravi Saraf, Lowell E. and Betty L. Anderson Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Mathias Schubert, J.A. Woollam Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Hamid Sharif, Charles J. Vranek College Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Jeffrey Shield, Robert W. Brightfelt Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
• Joseph Turner, Robert W. Brightfelt Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
• Jian Wang, Wilmer J. and Sally L. Hergenrader Chair of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
• Lily Wang, Charles W. and Margre H. Durham Distinguished Professor of Architectural Engineering and Construction
• Marilyn Wolf, Elmer E. Koch Professor of Computing
• Ruiguo Yang, Robert F. and Myrna L. Krohn Associate Professor of Biological Engineering
• David Yuill, Richard L. McNeel Associate Professor of Architectural Engineering and Construction