Georgia Tech Faculty and Researchers Recognized With 2026 Regents’ Awards

Nineteen Georgia Tech faculty and researchers were honored by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) with 2026 Regents' Awards. These distinctions, awards, and reappointments recognize excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the USG.

"The recipients of this year's Regents' Awards reflect the extraordinary depth of talent and commitment to excellence that exists at Georgia Tech," said Raheem Beyah, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. "Through groundbreaking research and transformative teaching, Georgia Tech faculty and researchers advance the Institute's impact throughout the state of Georgia and around the world."

The recipients were approved during the University System of Georgia's 2026 awards cycle, recognizing individuals whose sustained contributions have made a significant impact on their fields, their students, and the broader research and education community.

2026 Regents' Award Recipients and First Renewals

College of Engineering:

• Rafael Bras, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Regents' Professor Renewal)

• Craig Forest, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering (Regents' Entrepreneur)

• Hang Lu, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (Regents' Professor)

College of Sciences:

• Randall Engle, School of Psychology (Regents' Professor)

• Thomas Orlando, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry (Regents' Professor Renewal)

College of Computing:

• Srinivas Aluru, School of Computational Science and Engineering (Regents' Professor Renewal)

• Santosh Vempala, School of Computer Science (Regents' Professor)

College of Design:

• Gil Weinberg, School of Music (Regents' Professor)

Scheller College of Business:

• Sudheer Chava, Scheller College of Business (Regents' Professor)

• Frank Rothaermel, Scheller College of Business (Regents' Professor Renewal)

Office of the EVPR:

• Maribeth Coleman, GTRI, Institute for People and Technology (Regents' Researcher Renewal)

• Yong Ding, EVPR, Materials Characterization Facility (Regents' Researcher)

GTRI:

• Douglas Britton, Intelligent Sustainable Technologies (Regents' Researcher)

• Jon Duke, Health Emerging and Advanced Technologies (Regents' Researcher)

• Linda Viney, Applied Systems Laboratory (Regents' Researcher Renewal)

The following second renewals were approved by Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera:

• Jeffrey Skolnick, College of Sciences, School of Biological Sciences

• Vigor Yang, College of Engineering, Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering

• Lisa Yaszek, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, School of Literature, Media, and Communication

• Ellen Zegura, College of Computing, School of Computer Science

About the Regents' Awards

The Regents' Awards are among the University System of Georgia's highest honors, recognizing sustained excellence, national distinction, and long-term impact by faculty and researchers across the state's public institutions.

Writer: Brittany Aiello, Faculty Communications Program Manager, Institute Communications