OU Engineering

Optica, an international association in optics and photonics, recently announced the election of University of Oklahoma engineering professor Javier Jo, Ph.D. , as a Fellow member.  Jo, a faculty member in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was honored for his contributions to integrating optical imaging and artificial intelligence for biomedical applications. His research focuses on developing optical sensing and imaging technologies to understand pathophysiological mechanisms in human diseases and improve their clinical management. “Dr. Jo’s groundbreaking research, which combines optical imaging and artificial intelligence, has significantly advanced our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying human diseases. This well-deserved recognition from such a prestigious association reflects the significance of these contributions,” said J.R. Cruz, Ph.D., director of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. At OU, Jo’s research program add...

Inspired by the April 2015 challenge by Jim Gallogly, the college's namesake, to pursue excellence, the Pursuit of Excellence Award honors those who regularly and selflessly serve the college with excellence in all they do. Presented at the fall Board of Advisors meeting, the awards are among the highest recognition given by the college. In addition to a cash award, recipients receive a certificate of distinction. Introducing the class of 2023 Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients: Graduate Student Award - Buket Cilali Buket Cilali is pursuing a doctoral degree in industrial and systems engineering. She has served as a teaching assistant and has contributed to the research enterprise through contributions that include publishing a book chapter, a conference paper and a journal paper. Students appreciate her willingness to help. She serves the OU student chapter of INFORMS and the organizing committee of the international organization Forecasting for Social Good. Staff Award – Aaro...

Cytovance Biologics, Wheeler Bio and the Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma recently joined forces in a collaborative panel discussion focused on the field of bioprocessing. Experts in the bioprocessing industry highlighted the array of employment prospects within the sector. They also underscored the critical role played by OU Engineering in preparing students for success in bioprocessing, largely attributed to the Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regions Challenge Grant.  The discussion exemplifies the collaborative bridge between academia and industry, encouraging knowledge exchange and preparing students for promising careers in bioprocessing, says Daniel Baker, project manager for the OU Bioprocessing Core Facility which is expected to open in 2024.  OU Engineering Dean John Klier, Ph.D., agrees adding that OU Engineering is thrilled to offer this type of opportunity to OU students. “Biologics, medications derived from bio...

Marmar Moussa, Ph.D., an assistant computer science professor at the University of Oklahoma, has secured an award of nearly $1 million from the National Institutes of Health to advance her work in computational genomics.  The study, titled “Computational approaches to the mechanistic elucidation of the serrated pathway of human colon carcinogenesis,” aims to unravel the mechanisms driving the serrated pathway of human colon carcinogenesis using computational methods that help explain how colon cancer develops. “This research is essential due to the intricacies of colon cancer initiation. Colon cancer often originates through various mechanisms, including mutations and genetic changes that lead to abnormal lesions known as precursor lesions,” Moussa said. “Some of these lesions, such as hyperplastic polyps, are well understood and pose minimal risk. However, others, like serrated lesions, remain less understood and require in-depth investigation.” Serrated lesions are characterized ...

In collaboration, the University of Oklahoma has taken the lead in a Department of Energy project, with support from Kansas State University, to pioneer a new generation of reversible electrochemical cells. The cells have the potential to revolutionize energy storage by integrating seamlessly with fossil fuel assets. The project’s objective was to conduct an extensive study aimed at developing an energy storage technology capable of efficiently converting carbon dioxide emissions captured from fossil fuel assets into valuable fuels, such as methane, says Pejman Kazempoor, Ph.D., a professor in the OU School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Gallogly College of Engineering, who leads OU’s contribution to the project.  “One of the standout features of this reversible electrochemical technology is its ability to solve existing problems in the energy storage landscape, particularly its exceptionally high round-trip efficiency and durability. Unlike conventional energy storage te...

University of Oklahoma engineering researcher Reza Foudazi, Ph.D., has been selected to receive a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense under the Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or DEPSCoR. The highly competitive grant was awarded to only 28 academic teams nationwide.  An associate professor in the School of Sustainable Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, Foudazi’s research centers on the exploration of electrochemical energy storage systems that incorporate multivalent ions. He says the systems are of interest due to their potential for higher energy density when compared to conventional lithium-based systems.  “We are dedicated to advancing the field of electrochemical energy storage. The primary goal of this research is to understand the fundamental design principles behind nanostructured thermoresponsive electrolytes for multivalent ions,” Foudazi said.  Foudazi's team will produce ionogel electrolytes by using b...

OU Engineering has welcomed 14 new faculty members for the 2023-24 academic year. This marks a milestone in the college's growth journey, with faculty numbers increasing from just over 100 in 2017 to 175 in 2023. OU Engineering is committed to expanding its faculty ranks, aiming for over 200 faculty members by the 2025-26 academic year, says OU Engineering Dean John Klier. To achieve this goal, the college has initiated more than 20 faculty searches. The State of Oklahoma continues to acknowledge the need for more engineers. They recently responded to OU Engineering’s request for additional recurring funding. The funding will play a crucial role in offering undergraduate student tuition waivers, supporting graduate students and helping recruit new faculty and staff. These positions will be phased in over the next three years. "OU Engineering extends its gratitude for the ongoing support from the State of Oklahoma as it continues to address the growing demand for engineers,...