Maseeh College Research Week Award Winners

Portland State University’s annual Research Awards acknowledge faculty who exhibit exceptional research, scholarship, creativity, and commitment to the success of PSU students, and recognize one research administrator who makes an outstanding contribution to the production of research at the university.

Recipients are nominated by their colleagues, then selected by a jury of their peers based on the significance and quality of their academic or creative work and their strong commitment to creating an environment that supports student success and research excellence. See award descriptions and nominations criteria.

PSU Early Career Research Award 2024

Fang Song, Associate Professor, Computer Science | Watch video

Dr. Fang Song is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science in the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science at Portland State University. Song focuses on the theoretical foundations of computation, especially an emerging paradigm named quantum computing. His research explores the power of quantum computer algorithms to solve hard computational problems, and develops cryptographic techniques to combat the unprecedented threats to cybersecurity enabled by quantum computing. Song received his B.Sc. from the University of Science and Technology of China and his Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University. He is a recipient of 2020 NSF CAREER award.

Maseeh College Researcher of the Year 2024

Raúl Bayoán Cal, Daimler Professor, Mechanical and Materials Engineering | Watch video

Raúl Bayoán Cal is a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Portland State University; a faculty member since 2010. Dr. Cal received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2006. During 2006 to 2009, Dr. Cal was a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University. His area of research is focused on the understanding of turbulence with emphasis placed on physics related to wall-bounded, free-shear, canopy, particle-laden and multi-phase flows as well as wind/solar energy. Dr. Cal uses theoretical and experimental approaches to address these problems.

PSU Research Administrator of the Year 2023

Helen Frey, Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science

Helen Frey is the Research Coordinator for the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science at Portland State University. She joined the College of Engineering and Computer Science in February 2010 to assist with sponsored programs' documents, budgets, purchasing, and human resources. Helen graduated from Florida International University with a Master's in Science. Prior to joining PSU, she worked in research administration at University of CO Boulder and University of CO Denver. Her objective is to assist students, faculty, and staff.

Maseeh College Researcher of the Year 2023

John Lipor, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering | Watch video

Professor Lipor's research focuses on active and adaptive methods in machine learning, with an emphasis on applications in environmental sensing and monitoring. One area of his research is focused on low-dimensional and low-rank methods and their use in unsupervised/semi-supervised learning. Another aspect of his research focuses on developing algorithms that guide autonomous vehicles in understanding spatial phenomena ranging from air quality to geothermal energy resources.

Maseeh College Researcher of the Year 2022

Robert Bass, Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Professor Bass established and directs the Power Engineering Research Group at Portland State University. Dr. Bass’ group focuses on utility-sector research and development challenges. His on-going projects include development of a distributed energy resource aggregation system, distributed trust models for ensuring energy transaction trustworthiness, distribution system modeling, high-power electric vehicle charging impacts on distribution systems, ancillary service dispatch using aggregated DER, volt/VAr control and conservation voltage regulation within distribution feeders, and cybersecurity threat detection using phasor measurement units. He has successfully attracted funding from a wide variety of sources, including government and industry. Dr. Bass has partnered with Portland General Electric, the Bonneville Power Administration, Pacific Northwest National Labs, Drive Oregon, Kitu Systems, Quality Logic, and the Transportation Research & Education Center, among others.

Maseeh College Researcher of the Year 2021

Jonathan Bird, Associate Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Professor Bird’s research areas are at the intersection of applied electromagnetics, mechanics and controls. His graduate work involved investigating the performance capabilities of an electrodynamic wheel for high-speed ground transportation applications. While at General Motors, Dr. Bird designed high torque density induction and interior permanent magnet motors for hybrid and fuel-cell vehicle applications. At Portland State University Dr. Bird has been continuing his research into the use of electrodynamic wheels as well as investigating the capabilities of magnetically geared electrical machines for wind and ocean power generation applications. Dr. Bird has authored or coauthored over 40 peer reviewed papers in major journals and conferences. Dr. Bird’s research has been funded by the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, NASA and the North Carolina Coastal Studies Institute.

Maseeh College Researcher of the Year 2020

Arash Khosravifar, Assistant Professor Civil & Environmental Engineering

Dr. Arash Khosravifar joined the Geotechnical Engineering group in Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Portland State University (PSU) in December 2015. Prior to joining PSU, he worked for Fugro Consultants Inc. in California where he worked on seismic hazard studies for transportation projects (bridges) and energy developments (oil and gas, wind turbines). He obtained his PhD degree from University of California, Davis where he conducted research on analysis and design of piles in liquefied soils.

Maseeh College Researcher of the Year 2019

Peter Dusicka, Chair Civil & Environmental Engineering

Dr. Peter Dusicka is Professor and Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science at Portland State University. His primary research interests are in earthquake structural engineering, focusing on infrastructure resilience. Dr. Dusicka also manages iSTAR (infraStructure Testing and Applied Research) Laboratory, an on-campus facility for large scale experiments including real time shake table tests.

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