The Office of Undergraduate Education is pleased to announce our 2024 Academic Success and Advising (ASA) Award recipients. ASA awards recognize the outstanding contributions of faculty and staff who have gone above and beyond to support our undergraduate students and improve retention, progression, and graduation. 

Since 2004, Georgia Tech has formally recognized excellence in academic advising, an integral part of the academic culture at the Institute, ensuring a holistic experience for students. Champions in this work, one staff advisor and one faculty advisor, are honored, highlighting best practices and core values in advising. 

New this year, the Office of Undergraduate Education launched the Complete College Georgia (CCG) Champion Award. CCG is the University System of Georgia’s statewide student success initiative to improve access to higher education and degree obtainment across the state. The CCG Champion Award recognizes one staff or faculty member who has made critical contributions to undergraduate student success, advancing the primary goals of CCG to improve the experience for Georgia Tech’s highest priority students while promoting our institutional values. 

Members of ASA visited each awardee’s office for a surprise presentation throughout May and June. Meet the remarkable 2024 ASA award recipients! 

Christina M. Ragan, School of Biological Sciences 

Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Advisor (Faculty Advisor) 

Christina Ragan is an academic professional based in the School of Biological Sciences and works with the students, faculty, and staff in the Neuroscience undergraduate degree program.  Christina's commitment to the wellbeing of students while also conducting research and teaching multiple courses each semester, makes her a shining example of a faculty member's role in academic advising at Georgia Tech. One of her advisees writes: 

She is a phenomenal advisor, who exudes compassion and understanding with every conversation she has. Not only does she stay positive and engaged in building trusting relationships while motivating her students, but she also takes the time to get a holistic understanding of her advisees. Dr. Ragan will always ask stimulating questions pertaining to different parts of student life at GA Tech, outside of academic advising, which has personally made me extremely fond of her.

Kristi Mehaffey, Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering

Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Advisor (Primary Role) 

Kristi Mehaffey, a Georga Tech alum, is an Advising Manager with the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. Kristi’s dedication to the undergraduate students in Mechanical Engineering, her unwavering commitment to the growth and development of her advising team, and her service to the practice of academic advising has made her a key figure in retaining, empowering, and enriching the experiences of not only students within ME, but all Tech students. One of her advisees writes: 

Kristi Mehaffey has truly been a guiding light for me. She goes above and beyond, working long hours and putting everything aside to help students like me. Whenever I faced a challenge, she met it head-on, always finding the best path forward for each of us. During one of the toughest moments I have faced, Kristi stepped into my life. She did not just offer to listen, but she was a constant source of support, helping me navigate the overwhelming emotions of grief. When I was struggling the most, lost in emotions, she kept my head up and made sure I didn’t lose sight of my academic goals, while also encouraging me. 

Ashton Tomlin, Office of Special Scholarships 

Complete College Georgia (CCG) Champion Award 

OUE’s inaugural CCG Champion is Ashton Tomlin, Senior Assistant Director in the Office of Special Scholarships. Ashton joined the Special Scholarships team in 2022, demonstrating her commitment to expanding access to students traditionally underrepresented in higher education by connecting financial aid and holistic student support. She has developed a support program for Tech Promise Scholars, ensuring student needs are fully understood. Ashton is praised by colleagues and students alike for her ability to connect with students and her tireless work to find the resources they need to succeed. Chaffee Viets, Director of the Office of Special Scholarships, shared: 

Not only has she created almost from scratch the non-financial elements of the Tech Promise Scholars Program, but she has empowered and served Stamps President’s Scholars, Gold Scholars, students in Outdoor Recreation Georgia Tech (through a partnership we have with them), and various others, some of each of these being from economically challenged backgrounds. Without her being here, there are several students who may well have failed out of classes or left the Institute. 

 The CCG Champion selection committee also recognizes the significant contributions of all award finalists: 

• Frances Buser, Academic Advising Manager, H. Milton School of Industrial and System Engineering 
• Laura Garcia, Director of Undergraduate Career Education, Georgia Tech Career Center 
• Tristen Jones Hooker, Educational Outreach Manager, School of Materials Science and Engineering 

Congratulations to all our ASA award recipients for 2024! You exemplify Georgia Tech’s values to amplify impact, expand access, and make students our top priority. 

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and the Office of Academic Effectiveness (OAE) are thrilled to announce the Spring 2024 Course Instructor Opinion Survey (CIOS) Honor Roll. Faculty members at Georgia Tech who made the Spring 2024 Honor Roll have been overwhelmingly praised for their excellent teaching methods and dedication to student success.

The faculty recognized this semester represent all six colleges and the Language Institute. Each Honor Roll recipient receives a certificate from the Center for Teaching and Learning recognizing their accomplishment as well as an invitation to the next Celebrating Teaching Day held in March 2025.

See the full list of Spring 2024 CIOS Honor Roll recipients from across the Institute.

College of Sciences – Small Classes

• Austin Christian, recognized for MATH 4803: Special Topics: Low-Dimensional Geometry

• Christina Athanasouli, recognized for MATH 1553: Intro to Linear Algebra

• Christina Ragan, recognized for NEUR 4001: Neuro Research Project

• Christopher Jankowski, recognized for MATH 1553: Intro to Linear Algebra

• Colin Harrison, recognized for BIOS 1108L: Organismal Biology Lab

• Corrine Yap, recognized for MATH 4032: Combinatorial Analysis

• David Hu, recognized for BIOS 4590: Research Project Lab

• Eric Schumacher, recognized for NEUR 4001: Neuro Research Project

• Gregory Sawicki, recognized for APPH 6232: Locomotion Neuromechanic

• James Roberts, recognized for PSYC 6020: Statistical Analysis II

• James Wray, recognized for EAS 6370: Physics of Planets

• Jennifer Hom, recognized for MATH 4108: Abstract Algebra II

• Lewis Wheaton, recognized for APPH 6400: Human Neuroanatomy

• Mary Holder, recognized for NEUR 4400: Neuroendocrinology

• Ratan Murty, recognized for PSYC 3803: Special Topics

• Robert Richards, recognized for BIOS 4460: Comm Biologicl Research

• Samantha Wilson, recognized for EAS 4803: Special Topics: EAS & Policy

• Zach Walsh, recognized for MATH 2603: Intro Discrete Math

   

College of Sciences – Large Classes

• Adam Decker, recognized for BIOS 3753: Human Anatomy

• Christopher Wiese, recognized for PSYC 2220: Industrial/Organiz Psy

• Dimitrios Psaltis, recognized for PHYS 3201: Classical Mechanics I

• Eric Shen, recognized for CHEM 1315: Survey of Org Chm for Engr

• Gonensin Bozdag, recognized for BIOS 3600: Evolutionary Biology

• Jesse McDaniel, recognized for CHEM 3411: Physical Chemistry I

• Joseph Sadighi, recognized for CHEM 1211K: Chemical Principles I

• Katharine McCann, recognized for NEUR 2001: Neuro-Principles

• Mark Himmelstein, recognized for PSYC 2020: Psychological Statistics

• Matthew Nusnbaum, recognized for NEUR 2001: Neuro-Principles

• Mioy Huynh, recognized for CHEM 1211K: Chemical Principles I

• Mirjana Brockett, recognized for BIOS 4651: Bioethics

• Pamela Pollet, recognized for CHEM 2311: Organic Chemistry I

• Scott Moffat, recognized for PSYC 4740: Neuroethics

• Stephanie Stern, recognized for PSYC 2103: Human Development

• Tiffiny Hughes-Troutman, recognized for PSYC 3009: Health Psychology

• Timothy Cope, recognized for NEUR 3002: Systems Neuroscience

• William Ratcliff, recognized for BIOS 4550: Origin of Complex Life

• William Stern, recognized for PSYC 2210: Social Psychology

273 academic and research faculty members from across the Institute received promotions during the spring semester. We are thankful for their contributions and honored to celebrate their accomplishments.

Academic Faculty

Faculty members newly awarded tenure are indicated with an asterisk (*). 

Promoted to Professor

• Manos Antonakakis, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
• Duen Horng "Polo" Chau, School of Computational Science and Engineering, College of Computing
• Deven Desai, Scheller College of Business
• Shatakshee Dhongde, School of Economics, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
• Betsy DiSalvo, School of Interactive Computing, College of Computing
• Michael Gamble, School of Architecture, College of Design
• Ada Gavrilovska, School of Computer Science, College of Computing
• Brian German, Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering
• Rudolph Gleason, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering & The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
• Stuart Goldberg, School of Modern Languages, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
• Julie Ju-Youn Kim, School of Architecture, College of Design
• Gordon Kingsley, School of Public Policy, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
• Seung Woo Lee, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
• Mingfeng Lin, Scheller College of Business
• Peter Loutzenhiser, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
• Kyoko Masuda, School of Modern Languages, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
• Pamela Peralta-Yahya, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences & the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering
• Thomas Ploetz, School of Interactive Computing, College of Computing
• William Ratcliff, School of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences
• Amit Reddi, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences
• Robert Rosenberger, School of Public Policy, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
• Christopher Saldana, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
• Gregory Sawicki, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering & School of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences
• Aaron Stebner, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering & School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering
• Yuanzhi Tang, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Sciences
• Shannon Yee, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering

Promoted to Associate Professor

• Joy Arulraj, School of Computer Science, College of Computing*
• Saad Bhamla, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering*
• Alex Blumenthal, School of Mathematics, College of Sciences*
• Lindsey Bullinger, School of Public Policy, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts*
• Andre Calmon, Scheller College of Business*
• Yue Chen, The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering*
• Lily Cheung, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering*
• Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena, School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering*
• Claudio Di Leo, Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering*
• Alberto Fuentes, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts & the School of City and Regional Planning, College of Design*
• Neha Garg, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences*
• Nima Ghalichechian, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering*
• Matthew Gombolay, School of Interactive Computing, College of Computing*
• Roberto Gonzalez, School of Economics, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts*
• Zsolt Kira, School of Interactive Computing, College of Computing*
• Gongjie Li, School of Physics, College of Sciences*
• Brooks Lindsey, The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering*
• Nian Liu, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering*
• Jorge Macedo Escudero, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering*
• Jesse McDaniel, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences*
• Seumalu Elora Lee Raymond, School of City and Regional Planning, College of Design*
• Alexander Robel, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Sciences*
• D. Zeb Rocklin, School of Physics, College of Sciences*
• Kathy Rupar-Wang, Scheller College of Business*
• Alberto Stolfi, School of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences*
• Anne Sullivan, School of Literature, Media, and Communication, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts*
• Daniel Weagley, Scheller College of Business*
• Eunhwa Yang, School of Building Construction, College of Design*
• Tuo Zhao, H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering*

Awarded Tenure (visit our Celebrating Tenure page for more information)*

• Josiah Hester, School of Interactive Computing, College of Computing*
• Yongtaek Kim, School of Modern Languages, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts*
• Yingyan (Celine) Lin, School of Computer Science, College of Computing*
• Ameet Pinto, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering*

Promoted to Principal Academic Professional

• Mirjana Milosevic Brockett, School of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences
• Morag Burke, School of Mathematics, College of Sciences
• Amy D'Unger, Honors Program, Office of the Provost
• Andy Frazee, School of Literature, Media, and Communication, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
• Linda Green, School of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences
• Amit Jariwala, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
• Shana Kerr, School of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences
• JC Reilly, School of Literature, Media, and Communication, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
• Jacqueline Mohalley Snedeker, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering
• John Thornton, School of Literature, Media, and Communication, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts

Promoted to Principal Lecturer

• Timothy Halloran, Scheller College of Business
• Arnold Rubinoff, Scheller College of Business
• Michael Smith, Scheller College of Business

Promoted to Senior Academic Professional

• Travis Denton, School of Literature, Media, and Communication, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
• Mirla Gonzalez, School of Modern Languages, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
• Rebecca Hull, Center for Teaching and Learning
• Tuba Ketenci, H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering
• Tammy McCoy, Center for Teaching and Learning

Promoted to Senior Lecturer

• Rodrigo Carvalho, Language Institute, Divison of Lifetime Learning
• Seung-Eun Chang, School of Modern Languages, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
• Todd Fernandez, Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
• Timothy Martin, Scheller College of Business
• Kendall Nelson, Language Institute, Division of Lifetime Learning
• Maysam Nezafati, Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
• Stephanie Reikes, School of Mathematics, College of Sciences
• David Smith, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering

Promoted to Librarian IV

• Jay Forrest, Georgia Tech Library, Office of the Provost

Promoted to Librarian II

• Catherine Manci, Georgia Tech Library

Research Faculty

Promoted to Principal Research Scientist

• Laura Burkhart, Information and Communications Laboratory, GTRI
• Michael Chang, Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems
• Greg Eisenhauer, School of Computer Science, College of Computing
• Aaron Holdaway, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Yongtao Hu, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering
• Clayton Hutto, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Izudin Ibrahimbegovic, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Bryan Massey, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Adam Meier, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• James Merrill, Advanced Concepts Laboratory, GTRI
• Satya Moorthy, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Anna Osterholm, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences
• Stephen Stanislav, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Kelly Stevens, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Yan Wang, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Jeffrey Young, School of Computer Science, College of Computing

Promoted to Principal Research Associate

• Dana Stocks-Douglas, Information and Communications Laboratory, GTRI

Promoted to Principal Research Engineer

• Katherine Bowland, Advanced Concepts Laboratory, GTRI
• Devin Brown, Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology
• Theeradetch Detchprohm, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
• Rebecca Douglas, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• William Engler, Advanced Concepts Laboratory, GTRI
• Evan Goldberg, Global Center for Medical Innovation
• Angshuman Guin, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering
• Charles Hunter, Advanced Concepts Laboratory, GTRI
• Vernecia Meredith, Advanced Concepts Laboratory, GTRI
• Brian Mulvaney, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Christopher Olinde, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Timothy Palmer, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Nicholas Payne, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Jeremy Reed, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Santiago Balestrini Robinson, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Mark Ross, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Scott Silence, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Jared Walker, Aerospace, Transportation, and Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Joshua Walker, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Kim Wood, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI

Promoted to Principal Extension Professional

• Michael Barker, Enterprise Innovation Institute
• Leigh Hopkins, Enterprise Innovation Institute
• Greg King, Institute Relations, Office of the President

Promoted to Senior Research Scientist

• Shelby Allen, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Robert Barbier, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• G. Ozan Bozdag, School of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences
• Eric Coulter, Partnership for an Advanced Computing Environment, OIT
• Soumen Das, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences
• Spencer Fallek, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Travis Hint, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Benjamin Joffe, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Brant Jones, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences
• Theresa Kessler, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Muslimah Laforce, Center for Advanced Communications Policy, School of Public Policy
• Eric Lorimer, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Brian McMahon, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Anna Miettinen, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Zhanna Nepiyushchikh, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
• Phillip Odom, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Jinho Park, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Deepa Phanish, Partnership for an Advanced Computing Environment, OIT
• Chandler Price, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Daniel Richardson, Advanced Concepts Laboratory, GTRI
• Taylor Shapero, Advanced Concepts Laboratory, GTRI
• Shaye Storm, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Christopher Tomaszewski, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Jeffrey Valdez, Partnership for an Advanced Computing Environment, OIT
• Michael Weiner, Partnership for an Advanced Computing Environment, OIT
• Joel Wilhite, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI

Promoted to Senior Research Associate

• Landon Bailie, Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Alison Christensen, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Charlotte Cline, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Kandi Horton, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Jayma Koval, Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing, Division of Lifetime Learning
• Gairy Spiers, Information Systems Department, GTRI
• Rebecca Terns, Office of Research Development
• Christopher Winter, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI

Promoted to Senior Research Engineer

• Nicholas Austin, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Ketan Bhardwaj, College of Computing
• Marsal Bruna, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Jason Corman, Aerospace Systems Design Lab, College of Engineering
• Darryl Dickey, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Dante Dimenichi, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Scott Duncan, Aerospace Systems Design Lab, College of Engineering
• Alexander Forbes, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Evan Harrison, Aerospace Systems Design Lab, College of Engineering
• Remington Harrison, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Matthew Jackson, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Zhiyang Jin, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
• Paul Jo, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Jonathan Kosty, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Jung-Ho Lewe, Aerospace Systems Design Lab, College of Engineering
• Thomas Mark, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Alexia Payan, Aerospace Systems Design Lab, College of Engineering
• Christopher Peterson, Advanced Concepts Laboratory, GTRI
• Jessica Pippard, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Anil Babu Poda, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
• Kyle Post, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Robert Pritchard, Advanced Concepts Laboratory, GTRI
• Gina Putman, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Bradford Robertson, Aerospace Systems Design Lab, College of Engineering
• Timothy Schreiber, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Parker Singletary, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Charles Sutlief, Advanced Concepts Laboratory, GTRI
• Maxwell Tannenbaum, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Evan Traffenstedt, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Chuang-Sheng Yang, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering

Promoted to Senior Research Technologist

• John Sledge, High Assurance Computing, GTRI

Promoted to Senior Extension Professional

• Dana Atkinson, Enterprise Innovation Institute
• Samuel Darwin, Enterprise Innovation Institute
• Alan Durham, Enterprise Innovation Institute
• Kelley Hundt, Enterprise Innovation Institute
• Harold Solomon, Office of the Vice President of Commercialization
• Brandy Stanfield-Nagel, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Promoted to Research Scientist II

• Yokhanan Beck, Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Julius Blash, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Virgil Breeden, Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Paramita Chatterjee, Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience
• Md Fazle Chowdhury, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Joshua Freeman, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Deion Hall, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Austin Himschoot, Information and Communications Laboratory, GTRI
• Joshua Kassab, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Baran Kayim, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Eric Martin, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Emily Maw, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Pradyumna Mukunda, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Endrit Muqolli, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Vrinda Nandan, Institute for Data Engineering and Science
• Jacob Nelson, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Matthew O'Brien, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Frank Olszewski, Information and Communications Laboratory, GTRI
• Ryan Parker, High Assurance Computing, GTRI
• Robert Plante, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Hasan Qadri, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Erin Ross, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Caitlin Ryan, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Justin Ryerse, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Harshvardhan Sikka, Institute for Data Engineering and Science
• Joel Stansbury, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• William Syre, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI

Promoted to Research Associate II

• Evan Alvarez, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Phoebe Chiem, Information and Communications Laboratory, GTRI
• Jason Clarke, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Michael Curtis, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Shawn Guffey, Information and Cybersecurity Department, GTRI
• Traci Johnson, Contract Support Office, GTRI
• Robert Labuda, Research Security, GTRI
• Ana Rusch, College of Computing
• Dexter Stacy, Research Security, GTRI

Promoted to Research Engineer II

• Matthew Arceri, Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Ameya Behere, Aerospace Systems Design Lab, College of Engineering
• Bryan Bledsoe, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Salah Eddine Boulfelfel, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering
• Walker Byrnes, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Jacob Campbell, Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Ryan Decker, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Hanjun Fang, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering
• Taylor Fields, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Joshua Gardner, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Matthew Hannah, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Otis Horton, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Michael Jeffries, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Christopher Keel, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Alexander Kernan, Advanced Concepts Laboratory, GTRI
• Jakob Krzyston, Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Elijah Lubanski, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Austin May, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Stephen Piper, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Jacob Pirino, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Michael Roberts, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Jennifer Sharpe, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Brian Solar, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, GTRI
• Gregory Stein, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Andy Stevens, Information and Communications Laboratory, GTRI
• Jacob Stickney, Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• William Stuckey, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Richard Vaughan, Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Kevin Whitmore, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
• Elise Young, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI

Promoted to Research Technologist II

• Kacey Bedingfield, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Douglas Curtis, Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research, GTRI
• Adi Kremo, High Assurance Computing, GTRI
• Sterling Peet, School of Computer Science, College of Computing
• Megan Shuttlesworth, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI
• Paul Weinrich, Electronic Systems Laboratory, GTRI

Promoted to Extension Professional II

• A. Jamal Lewis, Enterprise Innovation Institute
• Olivia Pitts, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Asthma impacts more than 40 million Americans, and 10% of the world’s population. However, current anti-inflammatory treatments only partially control the disease’s symptoms. Now, Liang Han, an associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences, has been awarded a $2.47M grant by the National Institute of Health to study the role our nervous system plays in asthma — and the potential for new treatments. The grant will fund five years of research, with work beginning this spring.

“Asthma is typically considered an allergic inflammatory disease,” Han says, “and so the majority of research has previously focused on immune responses. But there is emerging evidence that the nervous system plays a critical role in the disease.”

Han highlights that our lungs are full of sensory nerves, which help monitor their internal state, and play an important role in regulating our breathing patterns and respiratory system. Vagal sensory neurons help send information from the lungs to the brain. Recent data collected by Yanyan Xing, a former postdoctoral researcher in the Han lab and now a scientist at Empress Therapeutics, suggested that blocking a group of vagal sensory neurons stopped the development of asthma symptoms in mice.

“Since these sensory neurons are responsible for responses like coughing, bronchoconstriction, and mucus secretion, all of which are asthma symptoms, we want to investigate whether blocking these neurons can help inhibit asthma in humans,” Han says. “If so, this might prove a promising treatment avenue for asthma.” 

The nervous system connection

In her lab at Georgia Tech, Han’s research team investigates the role the nervous system plays in creating and behavioral responses, and how that contributes to chronic diseases.  “We want to understand how the nervous system receives, transmits, and interprets various stimuli to induce physiological and behavioral responses,” she explains.

This year, Han also received a $550k grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate the neural circuit controlling itch sensation. The research has the potential to uncover new treatments for sensory conditions like chronic itch.

This fall, the College of Sciences will debut three new minors, a new Ph.D. program, and a new “4+1” B.S./M.S. degree program. 

The announcement follows curriculum updates for the 2023-24 academic year, including the launch of the Minor in the Science of Mental Health and Well-Being in the School of Psychology and the creation of three new bachelor of science degrees in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. 

“We are excited to announce these additions to the College’s portfolio of academic opportunities for our students,” says David M. Collard, senior associate dean in the College of Sciences and professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “The updates reflect our College’s growth and respond to our students’ interest in pursuing advanced study.”

The additions for the 2024-2025 academic year include: 

“4+1” B.S./M.S. Degree Program

The College offers several options for undergraduate students to earn both a bachelor of science degree and a master of science degree as a part of a “4+1” program. Students may apply to the B.S./M.S Degree Program after being at Georgia Tech for about one year. This allows them to tailor their undergraduate and graduate academic requirements to complete both degrees in a timely manner. 

Computation and Cognition Minor 

The Minor in Computation and Cognition is a highly interdisciplinary program that combines advanced computational training with the study of human cognition. Students will learn about the computational mechanisms underlying human cognition and use computational methods to better understand human cognition. Established by the School of Psychology in collaboration with the College of Computing and with support from the Schools of Physics and Mathematics, the minor is open to all students starting this fall.

There are several new courses in the School of Psychology supporting this minor, including PSYC 4690 (Sensation and Perception: A Computational Perspective) and PSYC/PHYS 4745 (Physics of Cognition). These two classes are offered as special topics this fall but will have permanent course numbers in Spring 2025. More new courses in computation and cognition are planned for the next year and beyond.  

Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Ph.D. Program, Neuroscience Minor

The new Ph.D. and minor offerings build on the recently launched Neuro Next Initiative in Research and the Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, respectively. 

The new Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Ph.D. Program is a joint effort across the Colleges of Science, Computing and Engineering. It is focused on educating students to advance the field of neuroscience through an interdisciplinary approach, with scientists and engineers of diverse backgrounds — ultimately integrating neuroscience research and technological development to study all levels of nervous system function. The program expects to enroll its first graduate students in Fall 2025.

Approved by the Board of Regents in 2017, the interdisciplinary B.S. in Neuroscience degree enrolled more than 400 undergraduate students in 2022, and has been the fastest growing undergraduate major at Georgia Tech. The Minor in Neuroscience is set to become available during the 2024-25 academic year.  

Quantum Sciences and Technology Minor

In response to the explosion of research, development, investment, and hiring in quantum information science taking place across academia, national labs, and private industry, the School of Physics is now hosting a new Minor in Quantum Sciences and Technology. 

Available starting this fall, the program is open to all students, regardless of major, who are interested in learning more about quantum information theory, applications of quantum information to measurement, quantum materials, quantum computation, quantum algorithms, quantum communication, or any other quantum science related topics. The coursework includes basic training in quantum mechanics and quantum information, and a choice of quantum-related electives in physics, math, chemistry, computer science, and electrical engineering. 

The minor was established by the School of Physics in partnership with the School of Mathematics and the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry in addition to the Colleges of Computing and Engineering.

Georgia’s saltwater marshes — living where the land meets the ocean — stretch along the state’s entire 100-mile coastline. These rich ecosystems are largely dominated by just one plant: grass.

Known as cordgrass, the plant is an ecosystem engineer, providing habitats for wildlife, naturally cleaning water as it moves from inland to the sea, and holding the shoreline together so it doesn’t collapse. Cordgrass even protects human communities from tidal surges.

Understanding how these plants stay healthy is of crucial ecological importance. For example, one known plant stressor prevalent in marsh soils is the dissolved sulfur compound, sulfide, which is produced and consumed by bacteria. But while the Georgia coastline boasts a rich tradition of ecological research, understanding the nuanced ways bacteria interact with plants in these ecosystems has been elusive. Thanks to recent advances in genomic technology, Georgia Tech biologists have begun to reveal never-before-seen ecological processes.

The team’s work was published in Nature Communications. 

Joel Kostka, the Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor and associate chair for Research in the School of Biological Sciences, and Jose Luis Rolando, a postdoctoral fellow, set out to investigate the relationship between the cordgrass Spartina alterniflora and the microbial communities that inhabit their roots, identifying the bacteria and their roles.

“Just like humans have gut microbes that keep us healthy, plants depend on microbes in their tissues for health, immunity, metabolism, and nutrient uptake,” Kostka said. “While we’ve known about the reactions that drive nutrient and carbon cycling in the marsh for a long time, there’s not as much data on the role of microbes in ecosystem functioning.”

Out in the Marsh

A major way that plants get their nutrients is through nitrogen fixation, a process in which bacteria convert nitrogen into a form that plants can use. In marshes, this role has mostly been attributed to heterotrophs, or bacteria that grow and get their energy from organic carbon. Bacteria that consume the plant toxin sulfide are chemoautotrophs, using energy from sulfide oxidation to fuel the uptake of carbon dioxide to make their own organic carbon for growth.

“Through previous work, we knew that Spartina alterniflora has sulfur bacteria in its roots and that there are two types: sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, which use sulfide as an energy source, and sulfate reducers, which respire sulfate and produce sulfide, a known toxin for plants,” Rolando said. “We wanted to know more about the role these different sulfur bacteria play in the nitrogen cycle.”

Kostka and Rolando headed to Sapelo Island, Georgia, where they have regularly conducted fieldwork in the salt marshes. Wading into the marsh, shovels and buckets in hand, the researchers and their students collected cordgrass along with the muddy sediment samples that cling to their roots. Back at the field lab, the team gathered around a basin filled with creek water and carefully washed the grass, gently separating the plant roots.

Next, they used a special technique involving heavier versions of chemical elements that occur in nature as tracers to track the microbial processes. They also analyzed the DNA and RNA of the microbes living in different compartments of the plants.

Using a sequencing technology known as shotgun metagenomics, they were able to retrieve the DNA from the whole microbial community and reconstruct genomes from newly discovered organisms. Similarly, untargeted RNA sequencing of the microbial community allowed them to assess which microbial species and specific functions were active in close association with plant roots.

Using this combination of techniques, they found that chemoautotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were also involved in nitrogen fixation. Not only did these bacteria help plants by detoxifying the root zone, but they also played a crucial role in providing nitrogen to the plants. This dual role of the bacteria in sulfur cycling and nitrogen fixation highlights their importance in coastal ecosystems and their contribution to plant health and growth.

"Plants growing in areas with high levels of sulfide accumulation tend to be smaller and less healthy," said Rolando. "However, we found that the microbial communities within Spartina roots help to detoxify the sulfide, enhancing plant health and resilience."

Local to Global Significance

Cordgrasses aren’t just the main player in Georgia marshes; they also dominate marsh landscapes across the entire Southeast, including the Carolinas and the Gulf Coast. Moreover, the researchers found that the same bacteria are associated with cordgrass, mangrove, and seagrass roots in coastal ecosystems across the planet.

"Much of the shoreline in tropical and temperate climates is covered by coastal wetlands,” Rolando said. “These areas likely harbor similar microbial symbioses, which means that these interactions impact ecosystem functioning on a global scale."  

Looking ahead, the researchers plan to further explore the details of how marsh plants and microbes exchange nitrogen and carbon, using state-of-the-art microscopy techniques coupled with ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry to confirm their findings at the single-cell level.

"Science follows technology, and we were excited to use the latest genomic methods to see which types of bacteria were there and active,” Kostka said. “There's still much to learn about the intricate relationships between plants and microbes in coastal ecosystems, and we are beginning to uncover the extent of the microbial complexity that keeps marshes healthy.”

Citation: Rolando, J.L., Kolton, M., Song, T. et al. Sulfur oxidation and reduction are coupled to nitrogen fixation in the roots of the salt marsh foundation plant Spartina alterniflora. Nat Commun 15, 3607 (2024).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47646-1

Funding: This work was supported in part by an institutional grant (NA18OAR4170084) to the Georgia Sea Grant College Program from the National Sea Grant Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Department of Commerce, and by a grant from the National Science Foundation (DEB 1754756).

Faculty from the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, including Associate Professors Gregory Sawicki and Aaron Young, have been awarded a five-year, $2.6 million Research Project Grant (R01) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

“We are grateful to our NIH sponsor for this award to improve treatment of post-stroke individuals using advanced robotic solutions,” said Young, who is also affiliated with Georgia Tech's Neuro Next Initiative.

The R01 will support a project focused on using optimization and artificial intelligence to personalize exoskeleton assistance for individuals with symptoms resulting from stroke. Sawicki and Young will collaborate with researchers from the Emory Rehabilitation Hospital including Associate Professor Trisha Kesar.

“As a stroke researcher, I am eagerly looking forward to making progress on this project, and paving the way for leading-edge technologies and technology-driven treatment strategies that maximize functional independence and quality of life of people with neuro-pathologies," said Kesar.

The intervention for study participants will include a training therapy program that will use biofeedback to increase the efficiency of exosuits for wearers.   

Kinsey Herrin, senior research scientist in the Woodruff School and Neuro Next Initiative affiliate, explained the extended benefits of the study, including being able to increase safety for stroke patients who are moving outdoors. “One aspect of this project is testing our technologies on stroke survivors as they're walking outside. Being outside is a small thing that many of us take for granted, but a devastating loss for many following a stroke.”  

Sawicki, who is also an associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences and core faculty in Georgia Tech's Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines, is also looking forward to the project. "This new project is truly a tour de force that leverages a highly talented interdisciplinary team of engineers, clinical scientists, and prosthetics/orthotics experts who all bring key elements needed to build assistive technology that can work in real-world scenarios."

Download photos from this year’s Sciences Celebration on the College of Sciences’ Flickr. 

Members of the College of Sciences community gathered at Harrison Square on May 8 to recognize outstanding faculty and staff as part of the 2023-2024 academic year Spring Sciences Celebration. 

“It is always a pleasure to honor faculty who excel in teaching and research,” says Susan Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences, Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair, and professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, “and to celebrate staff members across our College who are exceptionally committed to service and excellence.”

During the annual event, Lozier also recognized faculty and staff members who recently retired. 

This year’s honorees include:

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

The Cullen-Peck Fellowship Awards were established by Frank Cullen (‘73 Math, MS ‘76 ISyE, PhD ‘84 ISyE) and Elizabeth Peck (‘75 Math, MS ‘76 ISyE) to encourage the development of especially promising mid-career faculty:

• Wenjing Liao, Mathematics 
• Jenny McGuire, Biological Sciences
• Elisabetta Matsumoto, Physics

The Gretzinger Moving Forward Award, endowed by Ralph Gretzinger (‘70 Math) and named to honor his late wife Jewel, recognizes the leadership of a school chair or senior faculty member who has played a pivotal role in diversifying the composition of tenure-track faculty, creating a family-friendly work environment, and providing a supportive environment for early-career faculty:

• Michael Lacey, Mathematics

The Eric R. Immel Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching, endowed by Charles Crawford (‘71 Math), honors exemplary instruction of lower division foundational courses. It honors the late School of Mathematics professor Eric R. Immel, who greatly influenced Crawford’s undergraduate experience at the Institute:

• Samantha Wilson, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences   

The Leddy Family Dean’s Faculty Excellence Award, established by Jeff Leddy (’78 Physics) and Pam Leddy, supports a faculty member at the associate professor level with proven accomplishments in research and teaching:

• Simon Sponberg, Physics

The Faculty Mentor Award, established jointly by the College of Sciences and its ADVANCE Professor, awards the efforts and achievements of our faculty members who mentor fellow faculty:

• Shana Kerr, Biological Sciences

RESEARCH FACULTY AWARDS

The Outstanding Junior Research Faculty Award and Outstanding Senior Research Faculty Award honor postdoctoral and non-tenure track research faculty who have made exceptional research contributions with significant impact on their field of study:

• Outstanding Junior Research Faculty: Yinghao Wen, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

• Outstanding Senior Research Faculty: Anna Österholm, Chemistry and Biochemistry

The Research Faculty Community Trailblazer Award recognizes postdoctoral and non-tenure track research faculty who have demonstrated and sustained leadership that strengthens the sense of community among research faculty within the College of Sciences:

• Jessica Bowman, Chemistry and Biochemistry  

STAFF AWARDS

The College of Sciences Staff Awards are made possible by funding from the Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Dean’s Chair endowment. They include:

The Exceptional Staff Member Award and Staff Excellence Awards honor College of Sciences staff who exemplify outstanding performance above and beyond the call of duty — positively impacting the strategic goals of their department and the College, consistently providing excellent service within their school or the overall College, and demonstrating exemplary teamwork.  

Exceptional Staff Member Award

• Verene Lancaster, Biological Sciences

Staff Excellence Awards

• Lea Marzo, Center for Promoting Inclusion and Equity in the Sciences

• Faith Taylor, Dean’s Office

The Leadership in Action Staff Award and Excellence in Leadership Staff Awards recognize College of Sciences staff who have made exceptional contributions to the College through innovative and strategic leadership, change management, business process improvement, special project leadership, and similar accomplishments.

Leadership in Action Staff Award

• Erin Nagle, Dean’s Office

Excellence in Leadership Staff Awards

• Monica Branch, Chemistry and Biochemistry

• Troy Hilley, Academic and Research Computing Services

From her home more than 800 miles away, Georgia Tech online master's student Jasmine Tata is monitoring fish in aquariums at Georgia Tech.

Tata is a New York-based QA analyst and project manager. She started the Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) program in Fall 2022 and joined FishStalkers last year.

The student-led research program is part of the School of Biological Sciences' McGrath Lab. Its researchers use machine learning, computer vision, and other technologies to better understand the evolution of animal behaviors.

One of the lab's research projects studies Lake Malawi cichlids to explore connections between observed behavior and brain function.

The FishStalkers are vital to the project. They collect video, depth, and other data from individual fish using Raspberry Pi single-board computers. This information, coupled with open-source code they developed, allows the group to track, monitor, and classify the behaviors of a fish as it builds and maintains its bower, which is a sand structure these cichlids use to attract mates.

Read the full story in the College of Computing newsroom.