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NSF CAREER Awards

College of Engineering faculty win many prestigious research awards, an important measure of scholarship stature. One is the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award. Here we highlight the substantial award and our many winners. Since college inception in 1997, our faculty have earned a commanding 25 CAREER awards.

Funding

Each award of approximately $500,000 over 5 years advances the career trajectory and potential impact of outstanding junior faculty. Further, funded projects frequently provide cutting-edge opportunities for student researchers. Faculty across the country submit integrated research and educational outreach project proposals, and the NSF selects approximately 600 winners each year. The NSF funds only about 14–24% of applicants.

Award Recipients

Click links below for more about our winners, or to view project abstracts at the funder website.

2023

Benjamin Johnson

Benjamin Johnson (Electrical and Computer Engineering). Multi-channel, Sub-microliter Implants for Selective Neuromodulation. Abstract: Multi-channel, Sub-microliter Implants for Selective Neuromodulation

2022

Casey Kennington

Casey Kennington (Computer Science). Integrating Interaction, Embodiment, and Emotion to Transform Language Models. Abstract: Integrating Interaction, Embodiment, and Emotion to Transform Language Models

Mahmood Mamivand

Mahmood Mamivand (Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering). Advancing nanostructure & interface science for permanent magnets without rare earth materials. Abstract: Advancing nanostructure & interface science for permanent magnets without rare earth materials

2020

Clare Fitzpatrick

Clare Fitzpatrick (Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering). Computational Modeling to Predict Subject-Specific Osteoarthritis Risk and Facilitate Treatment. Abstract: Computational Modeling to Predict Subject-Specific Osteoarthritis Risk and Facilitate Treatment

Mike Hurley

Mike Hurley (Materials Science and Engineering). Resolving the Origins of Microgalvanic Corrosion on Metal Surfaces. Abstract: Resolving the Origins of Microgalvanic Corrosion on Metal Surfaces

Catherine Olschanowsky

Catherine Olschanowsky (Computer Science). Compilation Processes to Enhance Dataflow Optimizations. Abstract: Compilation Processes to Enhance Dataflow Optimizations

Elena Sherman

Elena Sherman (Computer Science). Computing Program Invariants using Abstract Domains Search. Abstract: Computing Program Invariants using Abstract Domains Search

Francesca Spezzano

Francesca Spezzano (Computer Science). Enhanced Analysis & Algorithms to Minimize the Spread of Misinformation in Social Networks. Abstract: Enhanced Analysis & Algorithms to Minimize the Spread of Misinformation in Social Networks

2019

Dave Estrada

Dave Estrada (Materials Science and Engineering). Graphene as a Bioscaffold for Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering. Abstract: Graphene as a Bioscaffold for Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering

Hoda Mehrpouyan

Hoda Mehrpouyan (Computer Science). Formal Tools for Safety and Security of Industrial Control Systems (FORENSICS). Abstract: Formal Tools for Safety and Security of Industrial Control Systems

2018

Kurtis Cantley

Kurtis Cantley (Electrical and Computer Engineering). Spiking Neural Circuits and Networks with Temporally Dynamic Learning. Abstract: Spiking Neural Circuits and Networks with Temporally Dynamic Learning

Michael Ekstrand

Michael Ekstrand (Computer Science). User-Based Simulation Methods for Quantifying Sources of Error and Bias in Recommender Systems. Abstract: User-Based Simulation Methods for Quantifying Sources of Error and Bias in Recommender Systems

Elton Graugnard

Elton Graugnard (Materials Science and Engineering). Scalable Manufacturing of Two-dimensional Atomic Layer Materials for Energy-efficient Electronic Devices via Selective-area Atomic Layer Deposition. Abstract: Scalable Manufacturing of Two-dimensional Atomic Layer Materials

2017

Eric Jankowski

Eric Jankowski (Materials Science and Engineering). Computational transformation of organic electronics manufacturing. Abstract: Computational transformation of organic electronics manufacturing

Yanliang Zhang

Yanliang Zhang (Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering; now at the University of Notre Dame). Printing and Interface Engineering of Colloidal Nanocrystals for Flexible Thermoelectrics and Electronics. Abstract: Printing and Interface Engineering of Colloidal Nanocrystals

2016

Trevor Lujan

Trevor Lujan (Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering). Characterization and Simulation of Failure Mechanisms in Soft Fibrous Tissue. Abstract: Characterization and Simulation of Failure Mechanisms in Soft Fibrous Tissue

Paul Simmonds

Paul Simmonds (Physics / Materials Science and Engineering). Novel Nanomaterials for Scalable Entangled Photon Emitters. Abstract: Novel Nanomaterials for Scalable Entangled Photon Emitters

2015

Claire (Hui) Xiong

Claire (Hui) Xiong (Materials Science and Engineering). Defect-driven Metal Oxides for Enhanced Energy Storage Systems. Abstract: Defect-driven Metal Oxides for Enhanced Energy Storage Systems

2014

Vishal Saxena

Vishal Saxena (Electrical and Computer Engineering; now at the University of Idaho) Mixed-Signal Photonic Integrated Circuits for Energy-Efficient High-Speed Data Interfaces. Abstract: Mixed-Signal Photonic Integrated Circuits for Energy-Efficient High-Speed Data Interfaces

2012

Scott Phillips

Faculty member Scott Phillips (Materials Science and Engineering) earned the award in 2012 before joining the college, when at Pennsylvania State University. His study addressed the synthesis of novel classes of depolymerizable polymers with well-defined response properties. Abstract: Synthesis of Novel Classes of Depolymerizable Polymers with Well-Defined Response Properties

2011

Inanc Senocak

Inanc Senocak (Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering; now at the University of Pittsburgh). Multi-scale modeling of short-term forecasting and grid integration of wind energy over complex terrain. Abstract: Multi-scale modeling of short-term forecasting and grid integration of wind energy over complex terrain

2009

Wan Kuang

Wan Kuang (Electrical and Computer Engineering; no longer with Boise State University). Numerical and Experimental Study of Photon-Electron Interaction in Surface Plasmon-Polariton Nanophotonic Devices. Abstract: Numerical and Experimental Study of Photon-Electron Interaction in Surface Plasmon-Polariton Nanophotonic Devices

2007

Megan Frary

Megan Frary (Materials Science and Engineering; now with the Boise State Center for Teaching and Learning). Role of Grain Boundary Character on Dynamic Recrystallization. Abstract: Role of Grain Boundary Character on Dynamic Recrystallization

2003

Elisa Barney Smith

Elisa Barney Smith (Electrical and Computer Engineering; now at the Luleå Technical University in Sweden). Document Image Degradation Analysis. Abstract: Document Image Degradation Analysis

2001

John Lusth

John Lusth (Computer Science; now at the University of Arkansas). Improving the Performance of Quantum-dot Cellular Automata. Abstract: Improving the Performance of Quantum-dot Cellular Automata

1997

Susan Burkett

Susan Burkett (Electrical and Computer Engineering; now at the University of Alabama). Fundamental Electrical and Thermal Limitations of Patterned Thin Film Multilayer Magnetic Field Sensors. Abstract: Fundamental Electrical and Thermal Limitations of Patterned Thin Film Multilayer Magnetic Field Sensors

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