Utah State University College of Engineering

USU Engineering professor Oenardi Lawanto has received a $618,387 grant from the National Science Foundation to study if Artificial intelligence tools strengthen or weaken engineering students' problem-solving skills.

AI is rapidly transforming how students learn and make decisions in educational and professional settings. However, if AI is relied on too heavily, it can impede students' ability to navigate problems on their own and improve their knowledge.

Lawanto said a lot of universities are creating AI policies, but they're not based on research. The results of this study will serve as a data-backed blueprint on how educators, curriculum developers, and policy makers can integrate AI into education to prepare engineers to work with it effectively and responsibly.

Read more here: https://engineering.usu.edu/news/main-feed/2026/is-ai-good-or-bad-for-preparing-engineers-a-utah-state-professor-gets-nsf-funding-to-find-out

USU Engineering professor Erika Espinosa-Ortiz and her team have received a $900,000 grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation to explore whether fungal networks use electrical activity to sense and respond in organized, meaningful ways.

Fungi form extensive living networks that influence nutrient cycling, ecosystem resilience, and environmental health. Despite their importance, fungi remain one of the least understood organisms on Earth.

With this grant, Erika and her team will develop a non-invasive tool using genetically encoded fluorescent proteins. These proteins will change in brightness in response to variations in the electrical potential of fungal cell membranes, allowing researchers to observe electrical activity within fungi.

Read more about this research here: https://engineering.usu.edu/news/main-feed/2026/usu-researchers-receive-major-grant-to-study-electrical-activity-in-fungal-networks

Mechanical and aerospace engineering associate professor Juhyeong Lee has been selected to receive the 2026 Pioneers of Progress Award, presented as part of the Days of '47 Celebration, in the Science & Technology category.

Selected by the Days of '47 Board of Trustees, the Pioneers of Progress Awards recognize individuals whose achievements have an enduring impact. Dr. Lee was honored for his innovation and contributions to the field of aerospace.

Throughout his career, Dr. Lee has collaborated with government agencies, industry, and international research institutes. His research focuses on the mechanics of structures and materials engineered for durability under extreme conditions, using experimental mechanics, computer modeling, and machine learning.

Congratulations, Dr. Lee!

Read more here: https://engineering.usu.edu/news/main-feed/2026/usu-engineering-professor-to-receive-2026-pioneers-of-progress-award-for-days-of-47-celebration

Join us in congratulating mechanical engineering and international studies student Joshua Woolf on receiving the 2026 Astronaut Scholar award from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation!

Josh's research at the ASPIRE Research Center focuses on efficiently cooling wireless electric vehicle chargers and reusing waste heat to create more sustainable energy solutions. By combining engineering and international studies, Josh hopes to develop innovative energy options that support people, the environment, and technology.

USU became the sole university in the state to be affiliated with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation through former alumna and astronaut Mary Cleave who sponsored the scholarship with Northrop Grumman. The scholarship is now sponsored by the Space Dynamics Laboratory.

Read more about Josh here: https://engineering.usu.edu/news/main-feed/2026/reach-for-the-stars-meet-the-2026-nasa-astronaut-scholar

Engineering State celebrated its 35th year of bringing together curious minds, creative thinkers, and future problem-solvers.💡 💭

This year, 107 high school students joined us on campus to create and design a sustainable city of the future. Along the way, they collaborated with peers, learned from mentors, and experienced what engineering is all about. 🏙️

We loved having these future engineers on campus and watch their ideas come to life!

Doctoral student Dillon Weatherston, Associate Professor Elizabeth Vargis, and Associate Professor Justin Jones have lead a breakthrough discovery in developing a technology that mimics aging cells of the human eye.

The team’s research will help advance treatment and a possible cure for age-related macular degeneration.

Read the full article here: https://engineering.usu.edu/news/main-feed/2026/a-new-vision-how-utah-state-bioengineering-researchers-are-changing-the-outlook-for-aging-eyes

Biological Engineering Professor Anhong Zhou has been awarded a $780,000 USDA grant to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders through hands-on, instrument-driven learning experiences.

The project will provide Utah youth with opportunities to explore food production, animal care, plant science, and agricultural technology through interactive programs, specialized training, and real-world experiences. By bringing together USU faculty, USU Extension 4-H, and community partners, the initiative aims to strengthen agricultural education and career awareness across Utah.

Read more here: https://engineering.usu.edu/news/main-feed/2026/the-future-of-agriculture-education-usu-engineering-professor-receives

USU Engineering Students Continue to Outperform National Pass Rates for Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

Learn more here: https://engineering.usu.edu/news/main-feed/2026/usu-engineering-students-continue-to-outperform-national-pass-rates-for-fundamentals-of-engineering-exam

As disruptive technology, seismic concerns, and aging infrastructure continue to challenge society, Dr. Mohsen Zaker Esteghamati is integrating artificial intelligence to help prepare the next generation of engineers. An effort that hasn't gone unnoticed.

This year alone, the Utah State structural engineering professor earned three major awards recognizing his impact in research, teaching, and mentorship:

• 2026 Engineering Educator of the Year, Structural Engineers Association of Utah
• 2026 Terry Peshia Early Career Faculty Award, American Institute of Steel Construction
• 2026 Engineering Educator of the Year, Utah Engineers Council

His work at the Utah Transportation Center is helping develop AI models that prioritize maintenance and repairs to keep bridges and other critical infrastructure safe and reliable.

Read more about Dr. Esteghamati here: https://engineering.usu.edu/news/main-feed/2026/seismic-activity-from-firstgen-student-to-awardwinning-educator

Congratulations to Soukaina Filali Boubrahimi, Associate Professor in the School of Computing, on receiving the SHINE award from the National Science Foundation!

This three-year, $580,185 award will support research using artificial intelligence and advanced data science to improve predictions of Solar Energetic Particle events and enhance our ability to forecast dangerous solar radiation storms.

Read more here: https://engineering.usu.edu/news/main-feed/2026/nsf-shine-award-supports-aipowered-research-to-better-predict-extreme-solar-activity