2021: Year in Review

Posted on: December 14, 2021; Updated on: December 14, 2021
By CEC Communications Staff, communications@cec.sc.edu

COVID-19 may have remained a part of our lives, but it did not stop the continued success of the college community. Our faculty continued to perform critical research and motivated the next generation of engineers to reach their full potential inside and outside the classroom. CEC alumni have also applied their knowledge and experiences to solve problems facing the country.

Take a look back at some of our accomplishments in 2021.

Our research reached far beyond the Palmetto State.

Some of our research and work was incorporated by national and governmental organizations. Our impacts were found in the U.S. Army, Department of Transportation and even the International Space Station.

The College of Engineering and Computing students, faculty and research make a national impact.
In May 2021, the University of South Carolina graduated the state’s first undergraduate class of aerospace engineers. In the spring, 37 seniors will be graduating as the program’s second class. Following them are 60 juniors and over 70 sophomores.
A team led by electrical engineering professor Guoan Wang, developed and tested “novel radio frequency electrical components that will enable miniaturization and enhancement of high-performance naval communication, electronic warfare and radar systems” in partnership with NSWCDD.
With a $3.8 million EPSCoR RII Track-2 grant from the National Science Foundation, Ramy Harik is committed to strengthening both the manufacturing infrastructure and workforce to support future factories in South Carolina and beyond.
The McNair Aerospace Center welcomed leaders from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command and the Future Vertical Lift Cross Functional Team during a day-long visit to Columbia.
Researchers at the McNair Aerospace Center are working with the Department of Defense to develop maintenance standards for the U.S. Army’s new fleet of aircraft called Future Vertical Lift vehicles.
The University of South Carolina is developing simulation tools and operational processes that will improve the affordability and safety of future vertical lift vehicles, also known as urban air mobility aircraft.
Dimitris Rizos and Yu Qian are introducing artificial intelligence, smart technologies and novel algorithms to the railway system as part of the long-standing Advanced Railway Technology Group.

The CEC continued to grow.

There were several changes around the college in 2021. We welcomed new faculty and celebrated current faculty who moved into department leadership positions. There were also new courses and spaces for learning and innovations.

This year, we’ve celebrated new leaders, new spaces, new faulty, new courses and so much more.
In a new graduate course made possible by Nephron, Ramy Harik is combining pharmaceutical manufacturing and engineering to prepare students for the industrial aspects of developing and manufacturing pharmaceutical drugs.
Three new faculty have joined the College of Engineering and Computing this academic year: Vignesh Narayanan, Christian O’Reilly (Computer Science and Engineering) and Adel Nasiri (Electrical Engineering).
The college unveiled the Makerspace Initiative, featuring state-of-art equipment to foster students’ innovation and creativity.
Professor Mohammod Ali began his tenure as Electrical Engineering Department chair on August 1.
As Roger Dougal steps down as chair of the Electrical Engineering Department after nine years, he reflects on his position. “I’m glad that I had a chance to serve, and I hope that things are better now than when I started. It’s time for the next person to take it from here,” he says.
The College of Engineering and Computing announces the appointments of Melissa Moss and Mark Uline as the new chair for the Department of Chemical Engineering and director for the Biomedical Engineering Program.

Our undergraduate students found success in the classroom and beyond.

Our undergraduate students developed knowledge and expertise from dedicated faculty. Learn how our students are applying their studies to real-world experiences that lead to fulfilling careers.

Undergraduate CEC students excel academically, collaborate in research, prepare for rewarding and high-paying careers after graduation while also participating in university life.
Senior Electrical Engineering major Nick Wood completed a virtual internship this past summer through NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) office.
This summer we welcomed 20 students in the inaugural First-Generation Scholars cohort as they successfully completed the new Summer Start Program.
In April, the Carolina Girls dance team placed first in the 2021 National Dance Alliance National Team Division I-A Finals. Three of these national champions, Abigail Delnoce, Conner Johnson and Morgan Paschal are students in the College of Engineering and Computing.
Seven undergraduate students from the College of Engineering and Computing have been awarded grants from the NASA SC Space Grant Consortium in furtherance of their research in the areas of composite manufacturing and future factories.
The Capstone Design program is a required senior-level course that aims to solve real-world challenges for businesses. This year, more than 30 groups of mechanical engineering seniors displayed projects culminating in months of hard work with companies like Fluor, Boeing, SCDOT, Berkshire Hathaway Energy and others.
Seventeen seniors from the College of Engineering and Computing were recognized with Outstanding Senior Awards this year.
Throughout his time at the CEC, Tony Dillon, Director of Internships for the Integrated Information Technology department, has worked to create what he calls a “technology talent pipeline” from high school to college graduation.
Despite social distancing restrictions, Alpha Omega Epsilon, a professional and social sorority for women in engineering and technical sciences, has continued to provide a tight-knit support system that empowers members.

We celebrated outstanding faculty achievements.

This year, some of our faculty received national recognition from organizations such as the National Science Foundation, Society of Engineering Science, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Read how these prestigious organizations are recognizing their teaching and research.

In 2021, faculty awards winners David Matolak, Michael Sutton, Amit Sheth, Asif Khan, Fred Dryer, Adel Nasiri and Chang Liu were recognized nationally as leaders in their fields.
David Matolak is leading a $4M research project for NASA designed to create safer and more efficient communications in aviation. In January he was elected as a Fellow of IEEE.
Michael Sutton was awarded the Society of Engineering Science’s Engineering Science Medal for his “pioneering contributions” to the fields of experimental solid mechanics and materials characterization through his creation of digital image correlation technology.
Amit Sheth, founding director of the Artificial Intelligence Institute, was named a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery, the group’s highest honor.
Asif Khan is the recipient of the first-ever Lester F. Eastman Award for his work with semiconductor devices, which are key building blocks for next generation power electronics.
Fred Dryer was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his contributions to the understanding of combustion processes for propulsion and transportation applications and for fire safety.
Chang Liu has received a 2021 Early CAREER Development Award from the National Science Foundation in support of his proposal to develop improved diagnostic testing technologies.
Electrical Engineering Distinguished Professor Adel Nasiri's significant contributions and innovations have led to him receiving the prestigious honor of being elevated to an IEEE fellow.

CEC graduate students took advantage of every opportunity.

CEC graduate students earned national fellowships, scholarships and made important breakthroughs in their research. Read about some of our student accomplishments and how national organizations are supporting their research.

This year, our graduate students continued to excel. They landed national fellowships, earned scholarships and made important discoveries in their research.
Did you know that the College of Engineering and Computing is home to one of just a few accredited Master’s in Health Information Technology degrees in the country?
Sobhan Patnaik, a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the nuclear engineering program, received the Roy G. Post Foundation Scholarship Award for his research on cracking of nuclear fuel pellets under transient temperature conditions.
Doctoral candidate Drew Pereira completed a fellowship at NREL this year. His research is contributing innovative ideas and game-changing technologies to things like electric vehicles, going green, and real, clean and renewable energy.
Graduate students Ben Egelske and Michael Royko were selected as 2021 Koerner Family Foundation Fellows, each receiving $10,000 towards their research and other educational expenses.

Our alumni solved problems facing our state and nation.

Our alumni continue to make an impact throughout South Carolina and the nation. Their current work is leading toward innovations and improvements in areas such as health care, transportation and clean energy. Other alumni have made their impact by mentoring and training current students.

Our alumni's personal and professional endeavors continue to make an impact after graduation.
Mandy Elmore- Training the next generation of engineers: Mandy Elmore, dean at Tri-County Technical College, realized early in her career as an engineer that part of her responsibility to the profession was to share her love of engineering, math and science with the next generation.
Olga Agafonova and Gerri Botte- CEC celebrates 2021 alumni award winners: Each year, the CEC picks alumni who have given back to their alma mater and who have achieved great accomplishments in their field to receive the annual alumni awards. This year we recognized Olga Agafonova and Gerri Botte.
Daniel Dorsel- CEC alumnus building pipeline for South Carolina’s future engineers: CEC alumnus Daniel Dorsel was named president of the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics this June.
Colishia Dunbar- Mentorship program puts CEC senior in fast lane to success at Volvo: CEC mentor Colishia Dunbar connected with mechanical engineering major Abby Simmons during the Mentor in March program. With her help, Abby started a two-year rotational program with Volvo in Ridgeville, South Carolina.
Myra Robinson is a senior statistician at the Levine Cancer Institute (LCI) in Charlotte, NC. By day, you can find her consulting with clinicians and researchers on clinical trial designs, overseeing the status of open-to-accrual clinical trials, processing and analyzing datasets or compiling statistical results for a variety of reporting requirements.
CEC alumnus Kenneth Allen is working to develop mobile micro nuclear power plants, or MMNPs. His research could provide safe and clean energy to troops overseas, eliminating their need to transport fossil fuels and keeping them safer.
Cedric Green- African American alumnus' success honors previous generations: While Cedric Green is an exemplary product of South Carolina, his parents -- along with generations of other African American South Carolinians -- were not able to attend UofSC. For Green, he views his accomplishments as a tribute to those who didn't have the same opportunity.
Casey Lucas has spent her post-graduate career doing everything from designing roadways to managing multi-million-dollar projects. But, it's the impact she's had on the lives of young engineers that's helped her leave a lasting legacy in the Palmetto State.