{"id":230943,"date":"2025-05-21T11:17:06","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T15:17:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=230943"},"modified":"2025-05-21T11:36:57","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T15:36:57","slug":"pushing-boundaries-and-becoming-beacons-for-positive-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2025\/05\/pushing-boundaries-and-becoming-beacons-for-positive-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Pushing Boundaries and Becoming Beacons for Positive Change"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Academy of Distinguished Engineers, class of 2025, gathered for this year\u2019s induction ceremony last week on the UConn Storrs campus. The annual event featured comments from JC Zhao, dean of the College of Engineering (CoE), and was emceed by 2024 inductees Rashi Akki, and Mark Raymond. Attendees included new Academy inductees and GOLD Rising Star recipients, their friends and family, as well as past Academy members.<\/p>\n

Zhao praised the class of 2025 for its accomplishments and contributions to engineering research, leadership and societal impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was my first Academy of Distinguished Engineers awards ceremony since becoming dean of the College of Engineering,\u201d Zhao says. \u201cI take great pride in recognizing and celebrating the amazing achievements of our Academy inductees and Rising Stars. \u00a0It was also a pleasure meeting these CoE graduates, their families and the previous awardees who joined us.<\/p>\n

\"JC
Dean JC Zhao (left) and He Li, Academy 2025 GOLD Rising Star (Christopher LaRosa\/UConn Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThese highly accomplished men and women are a testament to the overall quality of education we offer here at UConn, as well as recognition for the many CoE faculty and mentors who helped guide them. We are proud of their achievements and look forward to hearing about their continued successes and their positive impact on our society.\u201d<\/p>\n

Induction into the Academy recognizes CoE alumni for their exemplary contributions to the engineering profession through research, practice, education, policy or service, says Kylene Perras, assistant dean, Operations and Strategic Initiatives. The GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Rising Star awards recognize graduates over the past decade who inspire the world around them through their contributions to engineering and society.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Academy\u2019s members are considered to be among the most successful and distinguished engineers in their respective fields,\u201d Perras adds. \u201cThey each represent UConn Engineering, with distinction and strong leadership, and inspire current and future CoE students. And while they may not have been in the field for as many years, our Rising Stars also are making their mark and cutting successful professional trails.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Erika
Academy inductee Erika Lindeberg (Aida Ghiaei\/UConn Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of this year\u2019s inductees, Erika Lindeberg, earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering at UConn. She is a senior project manager and group leader at Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., a global leader in advanced manufacturing, energy, environmental, life sciences, transportation and more. Prior to joining Jacobs, she worked for the Connecticut Department of Transportation, including five years spent as principal engineer in their Division of Traffic Engineering.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth of my parents are UConn alumni and taught me the importance of mentoring and of working for the common good,\u201d Lindeberg says. \u201cAs engineers, we have a profound responsibility to ensure that the effective application of engineering and science serve a higher purpose and improve the comfort and safety of human life. To that end, sharing our knowledge, which includes mentoring others, is a critical responsibility and obligation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"JC
JC Zhao (left) and Academy inductee Nasir Mannan (Christopher LaRosa\/UConn Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another inductee, Nasir Mannan, earned his B.S. degree in mechanical engineering in 2007 at the then School of Engineering at UConn. Mannan is the principal engineer at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology\u2019s Advanced Design Automation and Metrology lab, where he leads the integration of 4.0 technologies to help strengthen the U.S. supply chain. Like Lindberg, he shared similar sentiments about the need to help others and to become beacons for positive change.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition to building things, we create, innovate, discover and connect. All society is one human race, and the work we\u2019re doing can push the boundaries of what\u2019s possible, as well as what\u2019s needed,\u201d Mannan says. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for this recognition, and excited about the future and the opportunities we share to greatly improve the quality of life on earth for all beings through the technology we create and help implement as engineers.\u201d<\/p>\n

View more photos from the event online.<\/a><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s inductees are:<\/p>\n