This year, we welcome 22 new faculty members across all departments at the College of Engineering.
Charles Dorn
Assistant Professor, Aeronautics & Astronautics
Research focus
Structural mechanics and optimization, architected materials, morphing structures, origami, wave propagation
Martin Nisser
Assistant Professor, Aeronautics & Astronautics
Research focus
Computational fabrication and assembly
Avinkrishanan Vijayachandran
Assistant Professor, Aeronautics & Astronautics
Research focus
Aerospace materials and structures, design for manufacturing, composites, in-space assembly and manufacturing, deployable structures, design optimization
Morteza Derakhti
Assistant Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering
Research focus
Coastal engineering, hydrodynamics, marine renewable energy, fluid-structure interaction, environmental fluid mechanics
Jerry Li
Associate Professor, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Research focus
Learning theory, quantum information theory, foundations of AI
Chinmay Nirkhe
Assistant Professor, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Research focus
Quantum information and computation, complexity theory
Nirvan Tyagi
Assistant Professor, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Research focus
Privacy-preserving systems, applied cryptography
Stephanie Wang
Assistant Professor, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Research focus
Distributed systems, systems for data and machine learning, computer systems, programming languages
Ang Li
Assistant Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Research focus
Open-source hardware, very-large scale integrated (VLSI) circuit design, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), reconfigurable and heterogeneous computer architecture, emerging computing technologies
Yiyue Luo
Assistant Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Research focus
Digital fabrication, human-machine interfaces, human-computer interactions, smart textiles, applied machine learning
Maxwell Parsons
Assistant Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Research focus
Quantum computing
Shana Hirsch
Assistant Professor, Human Centered Design & Engineering
Research focus
Sustainability transitions, environmental monitoring, community perspectives on renewable energy, restoration ecology, conservation technologies
Mo Chen
Assistant Professor, Materials Science & Engineering
Research focus
Quantum devices and materials, quantum computing, quantum sensing
Avik Som
Assistant Professor, Materials Science & Engineering
Research focus
Cancer therapeutics, tissue engineering, device development, biomaterials
Quansan Yang
Assistant Professor, Materials Science & Engineering
Research focus
Bioelectronics, biophotonics, biomaterials, biomolecules with advanced manufacturing schemes and computational algorithms
John Palmore Jr.
Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Research focus
Numerical simulation, atomization and sprays, Droplet-laden and particle-laden turbulent flows, computational fluid dynamics, combustion
New Assistant Teaching Professors
Adrian Salguero
Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Research focus
Computer science education, computer science pedagogy, student experiences in computing
Education
Ph.D. Computer Science, University of California San Diego, 2024
M.S. Computer Science, University of California San Diego, 2021
B.S. Computer Science, University of California Santa Cruz, 2018
Adrian Salguero joins the Allen School in September after receiving his Ph.D. from the University of California San Diego. His research examines the factors impacting student success through statistical data analysis, machine learning and qualitative techniques. At the UW, Salguero plans to expand the possibilities of computer science for students through equitable and high quality computing education.
Luyao Niu
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Research focus
Control, security and resilience of cyber-physical systems and complex networks, trustworthy machine learning
Education
Ph.D. Electrical & Computer Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2022
M.S. Electrical & Computer Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2015
B.S.E. Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Xidian University, 2013
Luyao Niu joins the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the Global Innovation Exchange at the UW as an assistant teaching professor. Niu’s research focuses on establishing trustworthy autonomy through mixed methodologies from machine learning, optimization and control, game theory and formal methods. He is the author of a GameSec Outstanding Paper, and was a finalist for the ACM/ICCPS Best Paper Award.
Dinuka Sahabandu
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Teaching focus
Signals and systems, circuit theory, artificial intelligence, robotics, and network/cyber security
Education
Ph.D. Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Washington, 2023
M.S. Electrical Engineering, Washington State University, 2016
B.S.E. Electrical Engineering, Washington State University, 2013
Dinuka Sahabandu will join Electrical & Computer Engineering as an assistant teaching professor after receiving his Ph.D. from the department in 2023. His research integrates cyber security, machine learning algorithms and multi-agent systems. At the UW, Sahabandu will create hands-on learning and mentorship opportunities in his robotics and networks courses. He is the recipient of a Provisional Patent and the Record of Innovation (ROI) Award from the University of Washington.
Cayla Key
Human Centered Design & Engineering
Teaching focus
Design ethics
Education
Ph.D. Communication Design, Northumbria University, 2024
B.Des. Interaction Design, University of Washington, 2019
A.B. Business, North Seattle College, 2009
Cayla Key joined Human Centered Design & Engineering this summer after receiving their Ph.D. from Northumbria University, where they researched technology design through a feminist ethics of care lens. At the UW, they center ethics, sustainability and diverse perspectives while encouraging students to challenge conventional design paradigms and embrace innovative approaches. Key is the recipient of a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Research Fellowship and Mozilla Research Fellowship.
Renee Desing
Mechanical Engineering
Teaching focus
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in engineering education
Education
Ph.D. Engineering Education, The Ohio State University, 2020
M.S. Industrial Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, 2012
B.S. Industrial Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009
Renee Desing joined Mechanical Engineering last fall as an assistant teaching professor from The Ohio State University. At the UW, she partners with the College of Engineering’s Office of Inclusive Excellence to research ways to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in engineering education for students and faculty. She launched the Inclusive Excellence Faculty Fellowship Program to support faculty development of inclusive teaching practices and teaches ENGR 401: Leadership Development to Promote Equity in Engineering Relationships (PEERs) to teach undergraduate engineering students about inclusive leadership. Her work has received awards from the American Society for Engineering Education and the Journal of Civil Engineering Education.
Michelle Hickner
Mechanical Engineering
Research focus
Machine learning and data-driven methods for engineering, sensing and control in biomechanics.
Education
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 2023
M. Sc. Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, 2009
B.A. Physics, Oberlin College, 2006
Michelle Hickner joins Mechanical Engineering as an assistant teaching professor after receiving her Ph.D. from the department in 2023. As a research engineer with the College of Engineering AI Initiative for Education and Research, she explores neuro-inspired mathematical methods for sensing, control and flight, with a focus on bio-inspired mathematical models. Hickner has served a variety of roles in the College of Engineering in the past, including supporting the mechanical engineering composites shop and educational labs.