September 23, 2024
Two Mizzou Engineering faculty members, Prasad Calyam and Baolin Deng, have been named Curators’ Distinguished Professors.
The University of Missouri Board of Curators has named two esteemed Mizzou Engineering faculty members, Prasad Calyam and Baolin Deng, as Curators’ Distinguished Professors—an accolade that recognizes their exceptional contributions to research, education and service. This prestigious title, the highest honor awarded by the University of Missouri System, underscores their impact in advancing knowledge and innovative solutions to global challenges.
“As ambassadors of Mizzou Engineering, our university and our world, these distinguished professors exemplify the spirit of innovation and excellence that defines our college,” said Marisa Chrysochoou, Dean of the College of Engineering. “They continuously seek out new ways to engineer solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges, never resting on their achievements but always pushing the boundaries of possibility.”
Prasad Calyam: Innovator in Cybersecurity and AI
Prasad Calyam, Greg L. Gilliom Professor of Cybersecurity, joined Mizzou in 2013 and quickly rose to prominence for his work in cloud computing, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. As Director of the Center for Cyber Education, Research, and Infrastructure (Mizzou CERI), Calyam’s research focuses on ensuring performance and security in data-intensive applications. His pioneering efforts in developing cyberinfrastructure for fields such as bioinformatics, manufacturing, public safety and neuroscience have positioned Mizzou as a leader in these areas.
“I am truly honored by this recognition,” Calyam said. “Mizzou has been an exceptional place for fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and working with talented students and world-class resources. The support from the campus, College of Engineering, and EECS department has been pivotal in the growth of Mizzou CERI, allowing us to take on exciting projects across multiple disciplines. I’m grateful to my students, faculty collaborators, sponsors and industry partners, whose contributions have been key to our progress. A special thanks goes to my family for their unwavering support, especially my wife, Sudha Khambhampati, and to my parents, who are both professors, whose guidance has always inspired me.”
Internationally recognized for his contributions, Calyam has commercialized cutting-edge technologies, including “Narada Metrics,” a software-defined monitoring solution licensed to Verizon. With more than 80 journal articles and over 150 conference papers, Calyam’s work is highly influential, evidenced by his ranking as the top NSF grant recipient at Mizzou from 2013 to 2023.
In addition to his research, Calyam has served on numerous editorial boards, and technical committees, guiding the direction of key scientific conferences and publications. His commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship has earned him multiple awards, including the James C. Owens Excellence for Research Collaboration Award, Outstanding Senior Faculty Teaching Award, Cisco Research Award, and the Robin Walker Award for Graduate Student Mentoring.
Baolin Deng: Pioneering Environmental Engineering
Baolin Deng, William Andrew Davidson Professor, joined the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 2001 and has made groundbreaking contributions to water quality and treatment. His work, focused on contaminant transformation, advanced technologies for water purification and the development of nanocomposite membranes, has influenced both academia and industry. As co-director of the Missouri Water Center, Deng leads efforts to address pressing environmental issues, such as the removal of toxic metals from drinking water.
“I’m deeply honored to receive this recognition, which reflects not just my work, but the collaboration and support of so many colleagues and students over the years,” Deng said. “From my early experiences in China to my time here at Mizzou, my focus has always been on how engineering can improve lives and create a safer, healthier world. This recognition inspires me to continue that mission and I am incredibly grateful to be part of a university community that values and supports this important work.”
With over 140 peer-reviewed publications and a research portfolio funded by numerous competitive federal grants, Deng’s scholarship has had a lasting impact in the fields of environmental engineering and water treatment. His service extends beyond the university, with roles including associate editor for Environmental Engineering Science, agency advisor to the EPA Science Advisory Board on drinking water and Missouri Department of Natural Resources on water planning.
Among his numerous accolades, Deng received the William A. Davidson Professorship, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chinese-American Professors in Environmental Engineering and Science and the National Science Foundation CAREER Award. His leadership and involvement in accreditation processes have further strengthened the university’s academic programs.
See a full list of MU’s 2024 Curators’ Distinguished Professors here.