Georgia Tech Recognizes Excellence with 2026 Institute Research Awards

Georgia Tech has announced the 2026 Institute Research Award recipients, recognizing faculty and staff whose work has made significant scientific, technological, and societal impact.

Presented by the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research, the awards honor contributions across the full research spectrum — from fundamental discovery to technology commercialization. 

Winners were selected across six award categories highlighting innovation, mentorship, collaboration, and community engagement, including two awards presented to teams for their collective achievements.

“The strength of Georgia Tech’s research enterprise begins with the talented people who push discovery forward every day,” said Tim Lieuwen, executive vice president for Research. “Congratulations to this year’s honorees, who demonstrate what it means to turn bold ideas into real-world impact, advancing knowledge from fundamental science to commercial and community applications. With these awards, we celebrate their leadership, creativity, and dedication to serving the public good.”

Considered among Georgia Tech’s most prestigious internal honors, the awards rely on a peer‑driven nomination process that emphasizes measurable contributions and leadership across disciplines. Recipients include both early‑career researchers making emerging breakthroughs and long‑standing faculty and staff recognized for sustained excellence and mentorship.

Awardees will be celebrated at the Georgia Tech Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon on April 24 in the Midtown Ballroom Exhibition Hall.

2026 Institute Research Award Winners

Outstanding Achievement in Research Engagement and Outreach — Edward Botchwey
Awarded to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in research engagement and outreach to other institutions of Higher Education or external partners.

Outstanding Achievement in Research Enterprise Enhancement — Anna Österholm
Awarded to a member of the administrative staff whose exceptional contributions advance the research and scholarly enterprise and exemplify the values of the Institute Focus Areas and/or Big Bets.

Outstanding Achievement in Research Innovation — Lakshmi ‘Prasad’ Dasi
Recognizes a faculty member who excels in research engagement and outreach through meaningful collaboration with higher education institutions and/or external partners, advancing awareness, scholarship, and understanding of research topics and the broader research process, with demonstrated impact on audiences and scholarly work.

Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Advisor — Shimeng Yu
Recognizes a faculty member whose excellence in doctoral advising is reflected in the achievements of their doctoral students who completed all degree requirements between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2025. This award honors exceptional mentorship demonstrated through advising approach, guidance practices, and meaningful student outcomes.

Outstanding Achievement in Research Program Development — Human Space Exploration Team
Recognizes a faculty‑ and staff‑led research team that has developed a thought‑leadership platform to significantly expand Georgia Tech’s research and scholarship portfolio through impactful engagement, collaboration, and outreach that advances understanding of research and scholarly topics and processes.

Outstanding Achievement in Research Program Impact — Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (GA-AIM)
Recognizes a faculty‑ and staff‑led research team whose innovative program has significantly expanded Georgia Tech’s research portfolio, demonstrating measurable impact, broad influence, and meaningful engagement with external partners across academic, industry, and community sectors.