May 8, 2026
By Tracie Troha

Faculty and staff in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering were recognized with Institute awards at the annual Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon on April 24. The event celebrated individuals and teams whose work advances innovation, enriches student experiences, and strengthens the Institute’s impact.

“On behalf of the Woodruff School, I extend my sincere congratulations to this year’s award recipients,” said Carolyn Seepersand, Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. School Chair and professor. “These awardees exemplify the excellence and impact we strive for at Woodruff School. I am immensely proud of each of them and grateful for the difference they make for our students, our Institute, and our field.”

The following members of the Woodruff School community were honored for their outstanding work:
 

Georgia Tech Chapter Sigma Xi Awards

Best Faculty Paper Award – Matt McDowell, Associate Chair for Research, Carter N. Paden Jr. Distinguished Chair, and Professor

Awarded to a faculty member who has authored an outstanding paper published in the previous year. 
 

Institute Research Awards

Outstanding Achievement in Research Program Development Award – Human Space Exploration Team, which includes Professor Julie Linsey and Associate Professor Peter Loutzenhiser 

Recognizes a faculty‑ and staff‑led research team that has developed a thought leadership platform to significantly expand Georgia Tech’s research and scholarship portfolio through impactful engagement, collaboration, and outreach that advances understanding of research and scholarly topics and processes.
 

Outstanding Achievement in Research Program Impact Award – Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (GA-AIM), which includes Zach Brunson, Research Engineer I; Thomas Kurfess, Regents’ Professor and HUSCO/Ramirez Distinguished Chair in Fluid Power and Motion Control; Kyle Saleeby (alumnus), Research Engineer II; and Aaron Stebner, GA-AIM team leader and Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. Chair in Manufacturing

Recognizes a faculty‑ and staff‑led research team whose innovative program has significantly expanded Georgia Tech’s research portfolio, demonstrating measurable impact, broad influence, and meaningful engagement with external partners across academic, industry, and community sectors.
 

Faculty Honors Committee Awards

Class of 1940 W. Roane Beard Outstanding Teacher Award – Ellen Yi Chen Mazumdar, Assistant Professor and Woodruff Faculty Fellow

Recognizes exceptional performance in the classroom, including extraordinary efforts in teaching, inspiration transmitted to students, direct impact and involvement with students, intellectual integrity and scholarship, and impact on post-graduate success of students.
 

Staff Awards

Putting Students First Award – Jake Tompkins, Mechanical Engineer III

Awarded to an individual or team who demonstrates, through specific activities, programs, or other aspects of teaching, a commitment to Georgia Tech's value of making students our top priority.