Each year, the University of Utah recognizes the achievements of exceptional faculty members in teaching, research, mentorship and service. Below are the honorees from the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering for this year, with excerpts from their nomination letters.
Distinguished Professors
Florian Solzbacher, Gerald and Barbara Stringfellow Endowed Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
“He arrived [at the U] with a vision: to create the most impactful program in restoring function for people with severe injuries to the spinal column/nervous system through implantable systems and neural interface technologies. Today, he is widely recognized as a pioneer and leader in this field, with his technologies and products used in hundreds of research centers around the world. … I have found Prof. Solzbacher to be exceptionally dedicated to his vision of improving lives—whether as a scientist and engineer, inventor, teacher and mentor, entrepreneur or change agent. He is a free spirit who deeply believes in the potential of those around him and consistently goes above and beyond to support their success.”
Ling Zang, professor, Department of Materials Science & Engineering
“Ling easily exceeds the university’s exacting standards for this honor. He is a rare academic who unites profound fundamental discovery with real-world impact, a transformative educator and a campus and professional leader who builds programs, partnerships and communities that endure. … He is a scientist of uncommon creativity, a technologist whose inventions save lives and protect communities, an educator who transforms students into innovators and a leader who builds institutions and partnerships that last. He stands as an exemplar for all of us at the U of U.”
Distinguished Research Award
“Prof. Fang’s research accomplishments have both breadth and depth. His research is … groundbreaking in its field, with quantified advantages in energy, cost and materials performance and demonstrable impact that is both scholarly and societal. Prof. Fang has demonstrated in his career a unique gift, as an innovator, for recognizing opportunities of applying scientific principles to solve engineering problems and translating them into industrial impact.”
John G. Francis Prize for Undergraduate Student Mentoring
“Professor Pania Newell exemplifies the ideals of the John G. Francis Prize through her extraordinary mentoring efforts, sustained programmatic impact, documented mentoring record and unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. Her mentorship spans undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, first-generation Ph.D. students and international trainees, reflecting her belief that mentorship knows no borders. She is an invaluable asset to the College of Engineering and the University of Utah.”