May 2023 Statler Circuit: Department Digest and Awards

Office of Student, Faculty and Staff Engagement 

The WVU Biomedical Engineering Society was announced as the winner of the Statler College Diversity Equity and Inclusion Pin/Certificate Design Competition. For the competition, Statler College student organizations were invited to design artwork that encourages and promotes the diversity of Statler College’s engineers. The winning design was created by biomedical engineering student and BMES president, Raafay Uqaily, and features four hands representing individuals with unique backgrounds coming together, a lightbulb to represent diversity of thought and a gear to symbolize engineering. Uqaily’s goal was to portray the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion and collaborating as a team of diverse engineers. 

"By bringing together individuals from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, we can drive innovation that not only meet the needs of a wider range of people but also push the boundaries of progress,” said Uqaily. “As President of the WVU Biomedical Engineering Society, I am honored to accept this award.” 

The WVU Biomedical Engineering Society was awarded $100 for winning the competition, which can be used for organization professional activities. The pin will be produced and distributed during Diversity Week 2023. 

Industrial and Management Systems Engineering 

Two professors from the Department of Industrial Management Systems Engineering recently received recognition for publications from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Ashish Nimbarte, chairperson, professor and graduate program coordinator for IMSE, was awarded an honorable mention for the Alice Hamilton Award in the engineering and control category for a paper he coauthored, titled “Evaluation of advanced curve speed warning system to prevent fire truck rollover crashes.” Warren Myers, professor emeritus for IMSE, received the Alice Hamilton Award in the engineering and control category for a paper he coauthored, titled “Laboratory assessment of bacterial contamination of a sterile environment when using respirators not traditionally used in a sterile field environment.” The Alice Hamilton Award recognizes the scientific excellence of NIOSH technical and instructional materials. 

“Having both Alice Hamilton Awards for the engineering and control category in a single year awarded to research papers co-authored by IMSE faculty along with NIOSH researchers is a noteworthy accomplishment,” said Nimbarte. “A recognition by an independent and nationally recognized agency speaks volumes to the quality and the impact of the occupational safety and health-related research conducted by the IMSE faculty.” 

Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering 

Anurag Srivastava, chairperson and professor in Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, co-organized the 11th Workshop on Modeling and Simulation of Cyber-Physical Energy Systems. The workshop was held as part of the Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet-of-Things Week 2023 in San Antonio, Texas on May 9. The workshop was designed to bring together researchers and industrialists to exchange ideas and newest research results on the cyber-physical energy systems. The event, sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, featured a keynote speaker along with breakout sessions. “It was an honor to co-organize this event,” said Srivastava. “Hosting a workshop on behalf of WVU was a great opportunity for recognition.” 

Wadsworth Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) presented the 2023 Market Development Industry Leadership Award to Karl Barth, associate professor in the Wadsworth Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering for his significant contributions to advancing the competitive use of steel in the marketplace — specifically in the construction market. Barth works in the areas of steel bridge analysis, design and rating. He is a founding member of the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance’s (SSSBA) Bridge Technology Center, where he advises bridge owners and designers on how to use steel for their short span steel bridge projects. These bridges have spans up to 140 feet and comprise most of America’s bridge inventory. Barth has spent decades working successfully to simplify the design of these bridges to make them more competitive in the marketplace. His award was presented on May 16 by Lourenco Goncalves, AISI chairman and chairman, president and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, at AISI’s General Meeting held at the InterContinental Hotel–The Wharf in Washington, DC. 

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