Education is our most important product. UD-CCM considers it important to recognize the success of its students because the knowledge gained at UD-CCM furthers the scientific inquiry and technological advances in composites all over the world.
Jack R. Vinson Leadership Award
The Jack R. Vinson Leadership Award recognizes a Center-affiliated student, researcher, or staff member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in research, teaching, outreach, and service, thereby strengthening the Center’s reputation and recognition within the composite’s community, as envisioned by Prof. Jack R. Vinson, co-founder of the Center for Composite Materials. The award includes a plaque, a monetary prize, and a citation.
R. L. McCullough Scholars Award
The Roy L. McCullough Best Dissertation Award honors the late Professor Roy McCullough and recognizes exceptional scientific achievement in a doctoral thesis. The award, which includes a monetary prize and plaque, is given to the graduate student with the best doctoral dissertation.
- 2025
- Recipient: Uday Kiran Balaga, (Ph.D.M.E.)
- Advisor: Professor Suresh G. Advani
Tsu-Wei Chou Composites Science and Innovation Award
The Tsu-Wei Chou Composites Science and Innovation Award recognizes innovative contributions to the field of composite materials. The award, which includes a monetary prize, is given to a graduate student author of a peer-reviewed journal publication or patent. Selection is based on the significance of the contribution.
- 2025
- Recipient: Kaiyue Deng, (Ph.D.M.E.)
- Advisor: Professor Kelvin Fu
John W. Gillespie, Jr. Distinguished Alumni Award
The John W. Gillespie, Jr. Distinguished Alumni Award honors an alum of CCM who has made significant contributions to the field of composite materials through their service, education, research, and development activities. The recipient is selected based on the impact of their contributions on one or more of these activities. Nominations are now open.
- 2025
- Recipient: Travis A. Bogetti, Ph.D.
- Advisor: Professor John W. Gillespie, Jr.
Achievement Award
The Achievement Award recognizes outstanding personal growth demonstrated by a Center-affiliated graduate student. The tribute, which consists of a monetary award, is bestowed on a graduate student who has demonstrated superior achievement in their research.
- 2025
- Recipient: Andrew Stack, (M.M.E.)
- Advisor: Professor Suresh G. Advani
Progress Award
The Research Progress Award honors students’ research contributions to the goals of the Composites Center. The award, which includes a monetary prize, is given to 1st or 2nd-year graduate students who have demonstrated significant progress in their research. The recipient is selected based on the quality of their presentations and publications.
- 2024
- Recipient: Amit M. Deshpande, (Ph.D.M.E.)
- Advisor: Professor Srikanth Pilla
Outstanding Senior Award
The Outstanding Senior Award honors students involved in the Undergraduate Research Program at the Center for Composite Materials. The award, which includes a monetary prize, is given to an exceptional senior for their overall contributions—both service and research—to Center activities.
- 2025
- Recipient: Abigail Conklin, (B.Ch.E.)
- Advisors: Munetaka Kubota, MBA, (Ph.D.M.S.E.)
Undergraduate Research Award
The Undergraduate Research Award is given to students who demonstrate initiative, motivation, and research skills while conducting independent research as recommended by their research advisor. Students are expected to enroll in UNIV401 and UNIV402 and either write a senior thesis or complete one semester of research and submit a report.
- 2025
- Recipient: Joseph Scilla, (B.M.E.)
- Advisor: Dr. Sagar Doshi
Visiting Researcher Award
The Visiting Research Award honors the research achievements of Visiting Scholars or Researchers who have spent at least six months conducting research at the Center. The award, which includes a monetary prize, is given to a Visiting Scholar or Researcher who has made notable contributions to the Center’s research objectives. The recipient is chosen based on nominations that highlight their significant contributions and impact on the supported research projects.
- 2025
- Recipient: Sandra Baji, Mahatma Gandhi University
- Advisor: Professor Suresh G. Advani
Outstanding Research Staff Award
The Outstanding Research Staff Award honors the research contributions of Postdoctoral Researchers or Research Professionals affiliated with CCM. This award, which includes a monetary prize, is presented to a researcher who has made a significant impact on the field of composite materials research. The selection of the award recipient is based on the publication of papers in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals.
- 2025
- Recipient: Dr. Nuwan Dewapriya
- Advisor: Dr. Joseph M. Deitzel
- Recipient: Dr. Sai Aditya Pradeep
- Advisor: Professor Srikanth Pilla
Directors’ Award
The Directors’ Award, which includes a monetary prize, recognizes outstanding contributions by individuals who have made significant impacts on the Center’s research and educational missions. (Selection Committee: Prof. Pilla)
- 2025
- Recipient:
- Mr. Molla Ali
- Mr. Zachary Krewson
- Dr. Tekin Ozdemir
- Mrs. Therese Stratton