Three University of Tennessee, Knoxville, faculty members have received substantial support from the National Science Foundation to pursue early-career research projects.
Chemist Jon Philip Camden, aeronautic engineer Kivanc Ekici, and physicist Norman Mannella have received NSF Faculty Early Career Development awards, also known as CAREER awards.
The NSF describes the CAREER award as the foundation’s most prestigious award for junior faculty who integrate outstanding research with excellent educational outreach.
Camden, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry, will study a special form of spectroscopy, a method for examining surfaces at a molecular level.
Ekici, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering, will research new ways to detect unstable aerodynamic forces in order to improve the design of wind turbine blades.
Norman Mannella, an assistant professor in physics, will study unconventional particle interactions in high-temperature superconductors.
Camden and Mannella will involve science and math students from Hardin Valley Academy in the educational outreach components of their projects. Ekici will provide summer workshops for high school science teachers and recruit a high school senior for a research experience.