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 our many winners.

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

Since college inception in 1997, our faculty have earned a commanding 25 National Science Foundation CAREER awards. Click links for more about our winners or to view project abstracts at the funder website.

2023-2020

• 2023 — Benjamin Johnson (Electrical and Computer Engineering). Multi-channel, Sub-microliter Implants for Selective Neuromodulation. Abstract
• 2022 — Casey Kennington (Computer Science). Integrating Interaction, Embodiment, and Emotion to Transform Language Models. Abstract
• 2022 — Mahmood Mamivand (Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering). Advancing nanostructure & interface science for permanent magnets without rare earth materials. Abstract
• 2020 — Clare Fitzpatrick (Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering). Computational Modeling to Predict Subject-Specific Osteoarthritis Risk and Facilitate Treatment. Abstract
• 2020 — Mike Hurley (Materials Science and Engineering). Resolving the Origins of Microgalvanic Corrosion on Metal Surfaces. Abstract
• 2020 — Catherine Olschanowsky (Computer Science). Compilation Processes to Enhance Dataflow Optimizations. Abstract
• 2020 — Elena Sherman (Computer Science). Computing Program Invariants using Abstract Domains Search. Abstract
• 2020 — Francesca Spezzano (Computer Science). Enhanced Analysis & Algorithms to Minimize the Spread of Misinformation in Social Networks. Abstract

2019-2011

• 2019 — Dave Estrada (Materials Science and Engineering). Graphene as a Bioscaffold for Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering. Abstract
• 2019 — Hoda Mehrpouyan (Computer Science). Formal Tools for Safety and Security of Industrial Control Systems (FORENSICS). Abstract
• 2018 — Kurtis Cantley (Electrical and Computer Engineering). Spiking Neural Circuits and Networks with Temporally Dynamic Learning. Abstract
• 2018 — Michael Ekstrand (Computer Science). User-Based Simulation Methods for Quantifying Sources of Error and Bias in Recommender Systems. Abstract
• 2018 — 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
• 2017 — Eric Jankowski (Materials Science and Engineering). Computational transformation of organic electronics manufacturing. Abstract
• 2017 — 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
• 2016 — Trevor Lujan (Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering). Characterization and Simulation of Failure Mechanisms in Soft Fibrous Tissue. Abstract
• 2016 — Paul Simmonds (Physics / Materials Science and Engineering). Novel Nanomaterials for Scalable Entangled Photon Emitters. Abstract
• 2015 — Claire (Hui) Xiong (Materials Science and Engineering). Defect-driven Metal Oxides for Enhanced Energy Storage Systems. Abstract
• 2014 — 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
• 2011 — 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

1997-2009

• 2009 — 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
  
• 2007 — 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
  
• 2003 — Elisa Barney Smith (Electrical and Computer Engineering; now at the Luleå Technical University in Sweden). Document Image Degradation Analysis. Abstract
  
• 2001 — John Lusth (Computer Science; now at the University of Arkansas). Improving the Performance of Quantum-dot Cellular Automata. Abstract
  
• 1997 — 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
  

Other

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