Faculty

As part of Black History Month, the UC Davis College of Engineering is engaging our faculty and staff in considering our roles in implicit bias and systemic racism. We all play a part in addressing these long-standing issues and are making spaces to have open, collective dialogue that moves our college and university forward.

The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has honored Ralph C. Aldredge, associate dean for undergraduate studies in the College of Engineering and professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering, with the 2021 NSBE Golden Torch Award for Lifetime Achievement in Academia.

UC Davis Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Marina Radulaski holds a Ph.D. in applied physics from Stanford University, but her science career started in Serbia with a double major in physics and computer science from the University of Belgrade and the Union University. Serbia has a rich history in physics with Nikola Tesla being the most famous Serbian-American inventor—for now.

Jasquelin Peña joined the UC Davis Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering as an associate professor in spring 2020. Her research lies at the intersection of natural, managed and engineered ecosystems and she aims to advance sustainable solutions to environmental quality problems.

She enjoys sharing her knowledge and connecting with UC Davis students while building a more inclusive environment.

Computer science professor Dipak Ghosal has been named the inaugural Prem Chand Jain Family Presidential Chair for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This new role will provide an opportunity for graduate students within the College of Engineering to expand their entrepreneurial mindset by providing resources to implement their innovative ideas.

An internationally-recognized leader in the field of soil mechanics and foundation engineering, civil engineer Izzat (Ed) Idriss, professor emeritus of civil and environmental engineering, has influenced the construction of dams, nuclear power plants, office buildings, hospitals, and bridges around the world.

Richard C. “Dick” Dorf, professor emeritus of electrical and computer engineering and of the Graduate School of Management, passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2020. He was 86. Dorf is survived by his wife Joy, a Presbyterian minister at the Davis Community Church in Davis, CA.

Materials science and engineering distinguished professor emeritus and College of Engineering dean emeritus Zuhair A. Munir was recognized for his lifetime achievements in the field of ceramic engineering with the 2021 James I. Mueller Memorial Award from the American Ceramic Society (ACerS) Engineering Ceramics Division. He will be honored at the 45th International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites, where he will deliver the Keynote Plenary Lecture virtually on February 8, 2021.

The UC Davis College of Engineering is excited to welcome nine new faculty members for the 2020-21  academic year. This new class of faculty bring multidisciplinary expertise in design, bioimaging, security, automation and control, and energy efficiency to the biomedical engineering, computer science, mechanical and aerospace engineering and biological and agricultural engineering departments.

These faculty are eager to address challenges facing society today and collaborate with their new colleagues in the college and across the university:

Chemical engineering distinguished professor and dean of the College of Engineering Jennifer Sinclair Curtis was elected Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) upon the recommendation of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics.