KNOXVILLE — Christopher Cherry, an assistant professor in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), is the recipient of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award for his project “Sustainability Implications of Transportation Choice in China.” The award is effective from April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2016.
The CAREER award is a foundation-wide activity that offers the NSF’s most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations.
These activities are recognized as essential components to build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research.
Cherry has been exploring behavioral and environmental issues related to electric bikes, scooters and larger electric vehicles in his research. In an article published in 2010, “Electric Two-Wheelers in China: Promise, Progress and Potential,” he discussed the growth of electrical two-wheelers that has increased substantially in the last decade.
Cherry received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of Arizona and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. He joined the UT College of Engineering as a faculty member in 2007.
Cherry received a 2009 Faculty Environmental Leadership Award from the university for his demonstration of strong and continuing commitment to environmental stewardship on campus.
“Chris represents the vision of the current faculty and the leadership of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,” said Dayakar Penumadu, professor and CEE department head. “CEE faculty dedicate themselves to solve complex interdisciplinary problems of international significance, create new knowledge, effectively integrate research into education to become a true teacher-scholar with the highest integrity, and inspire young minds at the university to be lifelong learners.”