At Portland State University, research is about more than academics: it is a means of transforming communities and inspiring the next generation. Research Awards celebrate faculty who are shaping their fields through research, mentorship, and education, and this year, four faculty members from the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science were recognized for their efforts to tackle pressing challenges and support student achievement. Mechanical and Materials Engineering Daimler Professor Raúl Bayoán Cal earned the university's top prize, the Presidential Career Research Award, for his research into fluid mechanics and microgravity.
The other Maseeh College honorees include Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Diane Moug, David Wedge Vision Associate Professor Elliott Gall from the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and Professor and Associate Chair of Graduate Programs in Civil and Environmental Engineering Thomas Schumacher. From engineering earthquake resilience to improving indoor air quality to preserving critical infrastructure, their work reflects PSU’s dedication to fostering impactful research and preparing students to meet the future’s demands.
Maseeh College Researcher of the Year Diane Moug Is Engineering Resilience Beneath the Surface
For Moug, named Maseeh College Researcher of the Year, the recognition shines a light on work that is as essential as it is invisible. “Geotechnical engineering often goes unnoticed because it’s literally buried,” she explained. “But the integrity of everything above ground depends on getting the foundations right.”
Moug’s research focuses on soil liquefaction, a phenomenon where soil loses its strength during earthquakes, causing catastrophic damage to buildings, roads, and bridges. In the Pacific Northwest, where the Cascadia Subduction Zone looms as a seismic threat, her work has a profound urgency. Her research addresses one of the Pacific Northwest’s most pressing challenges: earthquake resilience. “We’re studying how soils behave during earthquakes and working to develop affordable, practical solutions to stabilize them,” she explained.
Geotechnical engineering fascinates her not just because of its technical complexity; its unpredictability is also a draw. “Unlike structural engineering, where you can design materials to exact specifications, geotechnical engineers work with the natural world—its variability, its quirks, its surprises,” she explained. “That challenge is what makes it so compelling.”
Her curiosity has taken her far beyond the lab. In the aftermath of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Turkey, Moug joined a reconnaissance team to study liquefaction patterns and their consequences. “Every earthquake teaches us something new,” she said. “By understanding the conditions that led to failure, we can better prepare for similar challenges here in Oregon.”
But it is her students who inspire her most. “Our group has become a community where students challenge themselves and mentor one another,” she said. “Seeing them grow into confident engineers is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.” Looking to the future, Moug hopes her work will leave a lasting legacy of resilience. “If we can create tools that prevent disasters and inspire others to innovate in this field, that’s the impact I want to have,” she said.
Integral to her success has been PSU’s support for her research. She also credited her colleague, Arash Khosravifar, for being a key partner in building PSU’s geotechnical research program, and the university’s investment in lab equipment and access to the Sunderland Yard research site, managed by the Portland Bureau of Transportation, has enabled her team to test and refine new approaches. “The facilities provided by PSU have been invaluable,” Moug said, adding that the logistical expertise of Helen Frey (a previous PSU Research Award winner) has been instrumental in keeping projects on track.
Moug’s achievements have drawn national recognition, including an NSF CAREER Award. Her colleagues agree that her work exemplifies the transformative power of engineering research. “Her ability to combine scientific rigor with regional and international relevance sets her apart,” said Antonie Jetter, Associate Dean of Research for Maseeh College. “She is a leader in her field who continues to inspire others through her work.”
PSU Faculty Award for Public Impact Research Elliott Gall Is Fighting Invisible Threats to Public Health
Gall, recipient of the PSU Faculty Award for Public Impact Research, focuses on a critical yet underappreciated area of environmental health: indoor air quality. His research examines how pollutants, particularly wildfire smoke, behave in enclosed spaces, where people spend most of their time. Reflecting on the recognition, Gall emphasized the importance of addressing indoor environments. “The air we breathe indoors affects our health in profound ways, but it often receives far less attention than outdoor air quality,” he said.
Gall’s work explores how wildfire smoke infiltrates buildings and interacts with indoor surfaces, often creating unexpected risks. “Smoke particles don’t simply linger in the air—they adhere to walls, furniture, and other surfaces, where chemical reactions can produce harmful byproducts,” he explained. Based on this understanding, his team designed a low-cost air filtration system using household materials like cotton sheets and box fans. The system, developed with accessibility in mind, offers a practical solution for emergencies in wildfire-prone regions. For their innovation, Gall’s team earned the EPA Cleaner Indoor Air During Wildfires Challenge. “We wanted to create something that could make a difference for people in real time, especially during a crisis,” he said.
Beyond wildfire research, Gall works with schools across Oregon to assess air purification systems. His efforts ensure these systems effectively reduce indoor pollutants without introducing additional risks. Collaborating with grassroots organizations like Safer Indoor Air for Oregon Schools, Gall aims to bridge the gap between research and action. “This work is about translating technical knowledge into tools that directly improve the spaces where people live and learn,” he said.
Gall credits mentorship for shaping his path as a researcher. During his doctoral studies, advisors Rich Coursey and Jeff Siegel encouraged him to shift focus from atmospheric chemistry to indoor air science. “That advice opened up an entirely new direction for my work,” Gall said. Their guidance cultivated his interest in how indoor spaces influence health and inspired his commitment to practical problem-solving.
At PSU, Gall continues to benefit from collaborative mentorship. Linda George, a professor of environmental science, has profoundly influenced his approach to research. “Linda’s example has shown me how to align scientific work with the needs of the community,” Gall said. He also reflected on support from former department chair Jerry Recktenwald, who helped secure lab funding during a critical moment in his career. “That early investment allowed me to pursue ideas that might have otherwise been impossible,” he noted.
Colleagues have highlighted his ability to connect research with community needs. Chien Wern, chair of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, described Gall’s work as striking a balance between technological innovation and public impact. “Elliott’s projects address pressing challenges while equipping people with tools they can use,” Wern said.
Underscoring the need for practical, science-based solutions to environmental health challenges, Gall is working to create accessible solutions and foster partnerships. He hopes to reduce the risks associated with poor air conditions while empowering people to make informed decisions. “Ultimately, this work is about improving environments where people can thrive,” Gall said. By addressing issues like indoor air quality and wildfire smoke, he is helping to bridge the gap between academic research and everyday life. His work highlights how thoughtful collaboration and accessible tools can empower communities to improve their environments in the face of growing environmental risks.
PSU Graduate Mentoring Excellence Award Winner Thomas Schumacher Is Preserving Engineering Structures Through Innovation
Schumacher’s career combines technical innovation with a profound dedication to mentorship and for the latter he is being awarded the PSU Graduate Mentoring Excellence Award. For him, solving complex engineering challenges goes hand in hand with guiding future engineers toward their own discoveries. “Helping students uncover their passions and grow into leaders is one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” he said.
Schumacher’s research focuses on non-destructive evaluation techniques, which allow engineers to assess the health of engineering structures—buildings, bridges, roads, and airport runways—without causing damage. His work blends precision with practicality, creating tools that detect vulnerabilities early and prevent costly failures. “We use principles like wave propagation and vibrations to identify cracks or changes in materials before they become critical issues,” Schumacher explained. “For example, we embed ultrasonic sensors in concrete to monitor structural changes over time. These insights help engineers make better decisions about maintenance and repair, and they inform design improvements.”
This approach addresses a pressing challenge: how to extend the lifespan of vital civil infrastructure while conserving resources. A recent project has explored how to design airport runways that balances durability with material efficiency. “Our goal is to create structures that last, without overdesigning or wasting resources,” he said. His work ranges from examining ancient landmarks, such as the Pyramids of Giza, to enhancing the performance of modern transportation systems. While the contexts differ, the principle remains the same: sustainability through innovation. “It’s about finding the balance between strength, durability, and efficiency to meet both current and future needs,” Schumacher added.
Mentorship is central to Schumacher’s career, a value shaped by his own experiences as a student. He credits his PhD advisor, Dr. Christopher Higgins, for encouraging him to pursue academia. “Dr. Higgins gave me the freedom to explore my interests and the guidance to succeed, and that’s what I try to pass on to my students,” he said. Former mentees describe Schumacher as someone who fosters independence while providing thoughtful support. “He lets you explore your ideas but is always there to help when you need it,” said one former student.
The impact of his mentorship resonates deeply with his students. Jeffrey Roberts, now a structural engineer, said, “Without his guidance, I wouldn’t have completed my PhD.” Another mentee, Sina Mehdinia, described Schumacher as “a role model in every way—his mentorship has shaped both my academic journey and personal growth.”
Schumacher credits the collaborative environment at PSU for amplifying the impact of his work. “We’re a smaller college, but that pushes us to innovate,” he said. “Being in Portland also gives us access to industry partners and local agencies, which makes our research more connected to real-world challenges.” These partnerships allow his team to address issues that directly affect the community, ensuring that their solutions are both practical and impactful.
Looking ahead, Schumacher is motivated by the opportunity to create lasting contributions—both in engineering and in the lives of his students. “My goal is to develop methods that improve the safety and efficiency of our built environment while helping the next generation of engineers carry that work forward,” he said. By focusing on sustainable practices and collaborative problem-solving, his work contributes to long-term solutions that benefit both the field and the communities it serves.
Collaboration, Mentorship, and Lasting Impact
Though their engineering disciplines diverge, Diane Moug, Elliott Gall, and Thomas Schumacher are united by a shared conviction: that research is most meaningful when it serves humanity. Their work—whether fortifying infrastructure against earthquakes, safeguarding indoor air quality, or preserving critical structures—demonstrates the transformative power of innovation grounded in purpose.
Perhaps more than their ground-breaking research, their dedication to mentorship and collaboration is noteworthy. Like so many of the faculty and staff at Maseeh College, they have cultivated cultures in which ideas flourish, students are empowered to push boundaries, and knowledge is not merely served but also shared to improve lives. Their work exemplifies PSU’s mission to blend academic excellence with an unwavering commitment to the communities it serves. These awardees remind us that the impact of research is not measured solely in discoveries but more so in the lives it touches and the futures it helps build.