Jonsson School Innovators and Leaders Honored at Annual Investiture Ceremony
Outstanding faculty at The University of Texas at Dallas were recognized in spring 2025 at the University’s annual Investiture Ceremony. Three recipients from the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science will receive endowed funding to help them achieve their research and academic goals. This year, the University recognized a record 23 faculty members total, which is the highest number since the inaugural investiture ceremony was held in 2012.
Students and colleagues introduced the faculty, noting their research accomplishments as well as their contributions in the classroom. Dr. Richard C. Benson, former president of UT Dallas and holder of the Eugene McDermott Distinguished University Chair of Leadership, and Dr. Inga Musselman, provost and vice president for academic affairs, professor of chemistry and Cecil H. Green Distinguished Chair of Academic Leadership, awarded medallions to each recipient.
Dr. Shuang “Cynthia” Cui, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, was introduced by PhD student Bernadette Magalindan who said, “In the last three years that I received her visionary guidance, I achieved more than imagined possible. Dr. Cui has instilled in me and my peers the confidence to achieve excellence.”
Cui said, “This recognition means a lot to me. It’s not just a big personal milestone, but it is also a reflection of people who have supported and inspired me throughout my journey.”
Student Ambassador Jacob Roy introduced Dr. Yichen Ding, an assistant professor of bioengineering.
“When I started my lab in 2020, I never imagined an opportunity like this,” Ding said. “I really appreciate the mentorship, the support, the inspiration I received from my colleagues, my mentors, my students and my family over the past several years.”
Finally, Dr. William Anderson, professor of mechanical engineering, former Eugene McDermott Distinguished Professor and assistant dean for research in the Jonsson School, introduced Dr. Edward White, professor and head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. White intends to use funds from his endowment to support student groups.
“Although he is naturally very pleased and proud of his research, his true source of pride is derived from mentoring students,” Anderson said.
White said that he appreciated the show of support since joining the University in 2024.
“It’s been truly remarkable, and I’m grateful to be here,” White said. “I feel like accepting this award, is a personal honor, but it’s made my arrival here and the work I hope to do such a pleasure.”
Dr. Shuang “Cynthia” Cui
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Fellow, Eugene McDermott Distinguished Professor
Cui studies how material manufacturing can improve energy efficiency, from paper drying to a quick-drying polymer desiccant used to dehumidify buildings. She serves as a joint faculty member at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Cui’s research interests include advanced thermal energy storage and systems; intelligent soft materials and devices; nanoscale heat transfer and energy conversion; and machine learning-driven design and development.
Cui received a 2024 Recognition of Outstanding Achievement in Research (ROAR) award from the UT Dallas Office of Research and Innovation, in addition to awards from the American Society of Thermal and Fluids Engineers (ASTFE) and NREL.
Dr. Yichen Ding
Assistant Professor of Bioengineering Fellow, Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor in Systems Biology Science
Ding develops optical microscopes that provide increased visualization and assessment into hearts by looking at myocardial microstructure and dynamics such as cardiac contraction, blood flow and developmental processes.
Ding joined the faculty of the Jonsson School at UT Dallas in 2020. He is also a faculty member of the University’s Center for Imaging and Surgical Innovation, which provides the platform for and promotes collaborations between UT Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center with the goal of utilizing imaging, computing and engineering for disease detection, diagnosis and surgery to improve patient care and ultimately human health.
Dr. Edward White
Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jonsson School Chair
White, an aerospace engineer, leads the Jonsson School Department of Mechanical Engineering. The department has more than 40 faculty members and nearly 1,200 students.
White, who joined UT Dallas in 2024, said he was drawn to the University’s “dynamic regional presence” and growing national reputation.
As a researcher, White focuses on wind tunnel experiments on boundary layer stability, laminar-to-turbulent transitions and a variety of areas in applied aerodynamics aimed at reducing the amount of drag on an aircraft. His research has been funded by grants from the U.S. Air Force, NASA, the National Science Foundation and Sandia National Laboratories.