Five faculty in the College of Engineering were among 30 distinguished Texas A&M University faculty named 2019 Presidential Impact Fellows and the new Chancellor Enhancing Development and Generating Excellence in Scholarship (EDGES) Fellows. The recognitions highlight Texas A&M’s commitment to investing in faculty with significant and sustained accomplishments and the promise of continued high-impact scholarship.
The three engineering faculty members named Presidential Impact Fellows were Dr. Roozbeh Jafari, associate professor with joint appointments in biomedical engineering, computer science and engineering, and electrical and computer engineering; Dr. Guofei Gu, associate professor of computer science and engineering; and Dr. Michael Demkowicz, associate professor of materials science and engineering. The two EDGES Fellows were Dr. Raymundo Arroyave, professor of materials science and engineering; and Dr. Jodie Lutkenhaus, professor of chemical engineering.
The third class of Presidential Impact Fellows joins with more than 40 colleagues recognized in prior years with one of the most prestigious scholarly impact awards presented to Texas A&M faculty. The award was initiated by President Michael K. Young as a significant investment in faculty excellence and a recognition of the scholarship, personal commitment and global impact they are making as they rise to meet the challenges of their field and demonstrate impact.
Presidential Impact Fellows retain their new title for life and receive an annual stipend of $25,000 for three years. The goal of this investment is to allow scholars increased opportunities for national and global dialogue and collaboration across disciplines and beyond the borders of institutions.
Launched this year, EDGES Fellowships were developed with resources from Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp to support and honor mid-career faculty who are making significant marks in their discipline. EDGES Fellowships are awarded to faculty members with national and international acclaim and careers that are on track for membership in national academies or national and international awards in fields without national academies. EDGES Fellows retain the right to use the title throughout their tenure as faculty members in good standing.
The 2019 recipients were formally recognized in a ceremony on Nov. 5.