Two Recognized for Teaching Excellence
May 16, 2017 - Two Samueli School of Engineering educators were honored this month at UC Irvine’s 24th annual Celebration of Teaching event, held May 4.
Samueli School Dean Gregory Washington selected David Reinkensmeyer as the school’s Dean’s Honoree for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Reinkensmeyer is a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering with joint appointments in biomedical engineering and anatomy and neurobiology. His research focuses on neuromuscular control, motor learning, robotics and rehabilitation. A lifelong inventor, he is working to develop physically interacting robotic and mechatronic devices that can help patients recover hand, arm and leg function after neurologic damage caused by stroke or spinal cord injury. He joined UCI in 1998.
Materials science and engineering graduate student Amir Saeidi also was honored for his contributions to quality undergraduate education. He was chosen by the Center for Engaged Instruction as a 2016-2017 Pedagogical Fellow – a mentor teaching assistant who develops and implements professional development programs and training workshops for their peers throughout the year. Saeidi, working in the lab of Professor Daniel Mumm, is looking at the phase transformations of a high temperature ceramic material used in turbine blades’ coatings.
Since its launch in 1992, the Celebration of Teaching event has recognized more than 300 UCI professors, lecturers and TAs for exemplary teaching.
