CSU Fullerton Professor Kiran George wins Shields Award

President Mildred García congratulates Kiran George, professor of computer engineering, on his selection as the recipient of the University’s L. Donald Shields Excellence in Scholarship and Creativity Award. Credit: Cal State Fullerton

LOS ANGELES (Diya TV) — Kiran George, an engineering professor from California State University, Fullerton, has been recognized as a transformational force in innovative research.

From his development of a brain-controlled robotic arm for people who lose mobility in limbs, to an electronic communication system to aid patients who can no longer speak, George was selected as this year’s recipient of the university’s L. Donald Shields Excellence in Scholarship and Creativity Award.

George’s colleagues regard him as prolific researcher, his accomplishments have spanned more than a decade, and his discoveries and research have yielded unprecedented results at the school’s in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. The award is presented to a faculty member each year for his or her excellence in research and scholarly activities and commitment to the educational mission of Cal State Fullerton. The award’s namesake served as Cal State Fullerton’s second president from 1970-80.

He was presented with the award during a surprise visit to his classroom from university president Mildred Garcia.

“You have an amazing faculty member working with you,” Garcia told George’s students when she walked into his classroom, according to a university press release.

“This is an extraordinary honor, I’m so humbled. I am at a loss for words. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to work with students on various projects that are both challenging and cutting edge,” George said. “It is also professionally fulfilling to see them go on to have successful careers. My students inspire me every day to redefine the boundaries of engineering.“

Since George’s tenure began at the university in 2007, he has secured nearly $2 million in funding for his research, including grants from the National Science Foundation and U.S. Army Research Labs. In 2012, George was awarded the NSF’s Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program award, a top honor for junior faculty members who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through research and education.

He has led a $600,000 NSF-funded project that targets first-generation college students and underrepresented students and is leading the college’s efforts to develop a bachelor’s degree program in engineering with a biomedical device engineering option. George and his students have presented their work before regional and national conferences, and he has two patents pending for his research. George and his students also work on projects with industry and community partners, including the ALS Association to help patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.