First WVU Engineering Honors Society Laureate paves way for future engineers

Raafay Uqaily, left, receives his 2024 Tau Beta Pi Laureate Award from Tau Beta Pi executive council member Henry Houh before fellow society members and industry professionals at the 2024 Tau Beta Pi Convention in Rapid City, South Dakota. (Photo by Kiffer Creveling)

Raafay Uqaily, a 2023 graduate of the West Virginia University Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, has made history as the first WVU student to receive the prestigious Tau Beta Pi Laureate Award.

Story by Laney Eichelberger, Storyteller
Photos by Kiffer Creveling and courtesy of Raafay Uqaily

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Since its inception in 1982, the Tau Beta Pi Laureate Award has been presented to just 125 society members nominated by their chapters for outstanding achievements in arts, athletics, diverse accomplishments or service.

Chosen for his service, Uqaily joins this esteemed group as one of only four laureates selected in 2024 and the first Mountaineer to receive this honor.

“This award is a testament to the incredible mentors, friends, and opportunities that influenced my time at WVU. Engineering is more than just problem solving, it’s about leadership, service, and driving meaningful change,” said Uqaily.

The Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society is the nation’s oldest engineering society and one of the first collegiate honor societies. Its ranks feature industry leaders like Buzz Aldrin, Jeff Bezos and the University’s own Charles Vest.

In addition to recognition within the esteemed honor society, Uqaily and other 2024 Laureates received a $2,500 award, a commemorative plaque and recognition as emerging leaders in the engineering industry.

Uqaily earned his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from WVU in 2023 ranked among the top 15 graduating seniors and recently received a master’s degree in financial mathematics from the University of Chicago.

His time at the Statler College was defined by leadership, service and research — qualities which laid the foundation for his laureate recognition.

As a student in the WVU Honors EXCEL Program, Uqaily collaborated with the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute to develop a machine learning model for predicting cardiomyopathy in patients. In further collaboration with the Institute and other research opportunities, he co-authored around 10 research projects and presented at international conferences including those hosted by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.

Uqaily’s leadership and service encompassed multiple organizations. As president of the Biomedical Engineering Society, he significantly expanded membership and pioneered a 3D printing initiative for prosthetic limbs. In support of his peers’ research efforts, he led the publication of two volumes of the Mountaineer Undergraduate Research Review as a STEM section editor.

Within Tau Beta Pi's West Virginia Alpha Chapter, Uqaily served as recording secretary and social media chair, organizing chapter activities and community outreach. The Laureate Award recognizes engineering students who further their impact beyond technical excellence — values executed by the West Virginia Alpha Chapter through service, professional development and collaboration across disciplines.

Uqaily exemplified these principles as a mathematics learning assistant and tutor for the WVU School of Mathematical and Data Sciences and WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics and treasurer of The Rack: Student Food Pantry. He further supported campus betterment as a Statler College senator and senator-at-large in the WVU Student Government Association. During his two consecutive terms, he chaired the Student Experience Committee and co-authored pieces of legislation to enhance student life.

As he joins this group of industry trailblazers and blazes some trails of his own, Uqaily’s achievement serves as a testament to the growing influence of Mountaineers in national engineering fields.

“I hope this recognition inspires future Mountaineers to take initiative, push boundaries and make an impact beyond their time at the university.”

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