PSU's Annual Research Awards

Raúl Bayoán Cal is the Daimler Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Portland State University. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University. His research focuses on understanding fluid flow phenomena.

Thomas Schumacher is a Professor and the Associate Chair of Graduate Programs in Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research focuses on developing practical non-destructive evaluation (NDE) tools to support the engineering and preservation of existing structures. He is currently the Chair of ACI Committee 228.

Andrew Rice is an associate professor of Physics. His teaching includes courses in general physics (mechanics, waves, optics, thermodynamics), major-specific courses thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, mathematical methods in physics, experimental methods, and general education courses in meteorology and radiation.

Dr. Antonia R.G. Alvarez is a queer Pilipinx-American scholarmama, and an Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work. Through the lenses of historical trauma, critical feminisms, and queerness, Antonia is committed to liberatory research and community-engaged practice with LGBTQI/Two-Spirit/Māhū  communities of color. 

Michelle Gano is a Post-Award Analyst providing post-award support to Anthropology, Geography, Psychology and World Languages and other departments. She is currently providing CLAS PI's and DRA's support with invoicing, financial reports, award set-up, sponsor prior approval requests and post-award problem solving.

Dr. Elliott Gall is the David Wedge Vision Associate Professor in the department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. He leads the Healthy Buildings Research Laboratory, where he and his research team conduct fundamental and applied research exploring the many factors that impact our exposure to indoor air pollution.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is a community partner in shaping a livable city. The agency plans, builds, manages and maintains an effective and safe transportation system that provides people and businesses access and mobility. PBOT keeps Portland moving – and in doing so, they draw on the expertise of PSU faculty.

Dr. Ashley Streig is an Associate Professor of Geology and a National Science Foundation Early Career Award recipient. Dr. Streig’s research focuses on earthquakes and associated hazards. She is Senior Personnel of the Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center and leads the Community Fault Model working group.

Courtney Hermann is an Associate Professor of Film and an independent documentary filmmaker. Her work has been distributed by PBS, educational film catalogs, film festivals, and through community partners. Courtney's documentaries center the outsider experience, telling specific stories that illuminate our shared humanity.

Shaheen Munir-McHill, PhD, is an associate professor of practice and Program Coordinator of the Special Education K-12 license + degree programs and the Clinical Experience & Supervisor Training Coordinator for the DICE PLUSS research team. Her interests include early literacy support and intervention and formative assessment tools.

Sahan T. M. Dissanayake is an Associate Professor of Economics whose research spans land and marine conservation, climate change, valuation of nature’s benefits, and energy policy. Guided by CUPA and PSU's commitment to “Let Knowledge Serve,” he often collaborates with practitioners, community organizations, and government and NGOs.

Diane Moug is an Assistant Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering. Her research focuses on characterizing engineering soil properties & geotechnical earthquake engineering. Her work has included studies of diatomaceous soils in Oregon, biomediated ground improvement for liquefaction mitigation, and earthquake reconnaissance.

Ji Woon (June) Ryu, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Management. Her research centers on well-being in the modern workplace. She investigates how social group membership and individual differences affect well-being, and examines the impact of contemporary workplace features, especially technology, on well-being outcomes.

Dr. Lakindra Mitchell Dove has over 15 years' post-MSW practice experience working with children and families. She also has experience in community-based mental health, child welfare, community organizing, and health care. Her research focuses on the cultural needs of Black adolescents and healthy racial/ethnic identity development.

Dr. Pelin Basci is a professor of humanities. Her scholarship focuses on the cultural and literary studies of the modern Middle East, particularly Turkiye. Her articles and book chapters have appeared in English and Turkish. She is the author of the book Social Trauma and Telecinematic Memory.

Paula Carder, PhD, is a Professor in the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and Director of the Institute on Aging at PSU, Her research focuses on housing and long-term care options for older persons, including people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.