NSF Recognizes Researcher as One of Nations Top Young Faculty Members

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Shengyuan Yang, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Florida Institute of Technology, has earned a prestigious National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award. The award, which provides $400,000 over five years, recognizes and supports the activities of teacher-scholars early in their careers. Recipients, often considered emerging leaders in their respective fields, are selected for career development plans that integrate research and teaching.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award and look forward to the opportunity to continue my work in cell sensitivities,” said Yang.

Yang’s research project is to apply micro- and nano-mechanical methods to reveal cell sensitivities. His work should significantly enhance the understanding of cell behaviors in tissues and tissue development. The findings will have application in the field of regenerative medicine, which involves restoring the structure and function of damaged tissues and organs.

“Ultimately, the successful completion of my research will induce new ways or significant improvement in existing methods for disease detection and treatment,” said Yang.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Science and Technology of China and a doctoral degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.