December 08, 2022

Curators Professor Hongbin “Bill” Ma, chair of mechanical and aerospace engineering, was honored with the 2022 Progress in Entrepreneurship Award from the Columbia Missourian this week. Prasad Calyam, Greg L. Gilliom Professor of Cyber Security, was nominated in the education category.

The Progress Awards are given annually to those in the Columbia community known for moving the community forward.

“It was great to see two Mizzou Engineers nominated for these competitive awards this year,” said Noah Manring, Dean and Ketcham Professor. “Our faculty are active members of the Columbia community outside of the classrooms and labs, and it’s nice to see that recognized beyond campus boundaries.”

Ma co-founded ThermAvant, which makes oscillating heat pipes for military applications, and ThermAvant International, which manufactures everyday products. One of his most well-known inventions, the Burnout mug, uses similar technology to keep beverages at the perfect temperatures.

ThermAvant employs more than 80 in Columbia with plans to expand in the future.

“I’m honored to have been recognized with the Progress Award,” Ma said. “Columbia is a great community, and the students at Mizzou Engineering are very talented. I like the environment here.”

Calyam teaches cybersecurity and cloud computing in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. In recent years, he has been honored with several outstanding teaching and mentorship awards at MU. Calyam also hosts a summer camp for middle and high school students, has spoken to local elementary classrooms about staying safe online and has led monthly forums at the local Hindu Temple and Community Center.

“Columbia is fortunate to have many great teachers who are passionate about educating future generations,” Calyam said. “I am honored to have been nominated for this prestigious award in education.”

Learn from faculty who are known for making progress. Apply to Mizzou Engineering today!