Masoud Davari, Ph. D., associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering & Computing, was recognized for his achievements in the field of power electronics control and testing with the . He was also granted membership into IEEE, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, is the world’s largest professional organization for electrical engineers, with its membership numbering over 486,000 in more than 190 countries.  

Davari has been a member of IEEE since 2008 and a senior member of IEEE’s Region 3 since 2019. The organization’s Region 3 encompasses the southeastern United States and has over 24,000 members. The Outstanding Engineer Award, given annually to one member per region, recognizes those who have advanced knowledge and improved humanity through any of the technical subjects covered by the IEEE societies, councils, and affinity groups.

Davari was praised for “outstanding, technical, and professional contributions to synthesizing reinforcement learning optimal controls for power electronic converters, creating robust integration of power electronics considering the impact of cyberattacks on modern grids, and advancing IEEE standards for hardware-in-the-loop testing and education through impactful research and service.”

This impactful research and service includes eight years of teaching at Georgia Southern. He currently teaches introductory courses on circuit analysis and power systems fundamentals.  He has also served as a chapter lead of the IEEE Working Group (WG) P2004 for testing based on hardware-in-the-loop simulations in the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) and that of the IEEE Power and Energy Society Task Force on innovative teaching methods for modern power and energy systems (TR 120). 

In addition to being an engaged educator, Davari is also a prolific researcher. He was selected as the finalist for the 2024 Curtis W. McGraw Research Award by the Awards Committee of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE); has also been awarded a research fellowship by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation in 2024; was included in ; and has received $1.17 million in grants from the National Science Foundation

Davari’s work ethic and commitment to bridging the gap between industry and research led Rami Haddad, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Engineering & Computing, to nominate him. 

“Dr. Davari’s recognition as the IEEE Region 3 Outstanding Engineer and his induction into IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) are truly remarkable honors that reflect his outstanding contributions to electrical and computer engineering,” Haddad said. “Being recognized among more than 24,000 IEEE members across the Southeast is a testament to the impact and excellence of his work. We are proud to have Dr. Davari as a valued member of our college, and we celebrate his achievements as a shining example of the innovation and leadership that define our faculty.”

This award marks the first time a Georgia Southern faculty member has received it in its 55-year history. It is a career milestone for Davari, who has published research on advanced technology integration into modern power and energy systems in high-impact-factor IEEE Transactions/Journal venues and has extensively researched the era of grid-edge technologies. 

“I’m deeply honored by this prestigious award,” Davari said. “Not only does it reaffirm my dedication to my research field, but it also fuels my passion for creating a technologically advanced future. Receiving this IEEE award on behalf of my outstanding team is a privilege. Their relentless commitment and hard work since 2015 have truly made this achievement possible.”

Davari’s induction into HKN places him among the best in his field. The membership, which is received through invitation only from HKN’s Board of Governors and is based on the candidate’s record of contributions to the field, demonstrated leadership, and community service.

“With a legacy that stretches over a century, IEEE-HKN represents the pinnacle of prestige and tradition in our profession, indicating academic achievements and dedication to research, potential leadership, exemplary character, and a positive attitude, Davari continued.” Notably, many of our industry’s most influential leaders initiated their journeys through induction into IEEE-HKN as professional members, so receiving this honor is a privilege.”

Davari received his award and was inducted into Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) in March at IEEE Region 3’s SoutheastCon 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

You can find out more about his research by visiting his .   

As concerns arise about the novel COVID-19 virus, faculty public health experts at Georgia Southern are advising people to take their panic into an action plan which follows guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Worry is a valid response to stressful situations, but for the public, turn your worry into productive action,” said Jessica Schwind, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences. “Talk with your family about emergencies most likely to happen and prepare your household, including stocking up on food and supplies should you need to stay at home. However, these are standard recommendations for general emergency preparedness and should not induce panic-buying or hoarding.”

CDC guidelines regarding the virus include washing your hands frequently; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; staying home when you are sick; covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash (if you have no tissue then cover your face with your entire elbow); cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Georgia Southern faculty experts, Schwind, Atin Adhikari, Ph.D. and Isaac Chun-Hai Fung, Ph.D., are all professors in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, and provide a wealth of experience in dealing with similar situations as the COVID-19 pandemic. They say these CDC guidelines are the baseline for dealing with the virus, and offer other helpful ways to stem its spread.

Adhikari, an associate professor of environmental health sciences, brings more than 15 years of extensive research experience on aerosols, airborne microorganisms, other air pollutants and related respiratory disorders. He says the best way to combat such a virus is prevention. Social distancing as much as possible will limit the spread of the disease, and if it becomes mandatory, people should adhere to the rule.

“People should stay calm and quiet and help the public health officers in the event of a mandated quarantine,” he said. “This procedure is important because you may have been unknowingly exposed to the virus from infected persons who are not showing symptoms yet.”

Fung, a digital health expert and infectious disease epidemiologist, has worked with CDC emergency response modeling taskforce in response to the avian flu in China in 2013, and has extensive experience with epidemic data. He says even in the event of a quarantine, people should practice preventative measures daily, including cleaning surfaces and disinfecting communal areas every day. He said one can’t be too cautious and shouldn’t take easily avoidable risks.

“At the exponential growing phase of an outbreak, the number of confirmed cases lag behind the number of infected individuals,” he said. “Therefore, simply making a low-risk judgment based on the number of confirmed cases may give people a false sense of assurance that there is no community transmission going on. The absence of evidence is not the evidence of its absence.”

At such a stressful time, when news from around the world can bring fear and panic almost instantly, Schwind says not to neglect the mental stressors of the virus during this time.

“The emotional impact of a public health emergency can cause distress, especially among first-responders, people with preexisting health conditions and children,” she said. “I encourage people to take breaks from the news, go for walks, and connect with others through phone, email, text or video calls when possible. However, they should contact their healthcare provider if stress reactions become severe or interfere with their daily lives.”

For updates on Georgia Southern and COVID-19, follow Georgia Southern on Twitter and Facebook. Visit the CDC website, , for more updates on the virus.

This ����Vlog faculty spotlight focuses on Alicia Brunson, an assistant professor in the sociology and anthropology department. When it comes to teaching, her goal is to challenge her students to become the best version of themselves and to realize they can be agents of social change. Her primary research examines the retention and graduation rates among African American students.

College of Education faculty member Aslihan Unal, Ph.D., now holds two awards as co-author of the publication, “An examination of K-12 Teachers’ Assessment Beliefs and Practices in Relation to Years of Teaching Experience.”

Recently, Unal’s work was recognized by the American Educational Research Association as a top research paper for the year. Prior to that, she was named the recipient of the Distinguished Paper Award during the Georgia Educational Research Association (GERA) state conference.

An associate professor in the Department of Elementary and Special Education, Unal’s research focuses on assessment of teaching and learning, technology in education, classroom management and parental involvement.

“The major part of my teaching and research focus is on assessment in classrooms,” said Unal. “Assessment is a critical step in the learning process. It determines whether or not the learning objectives have been met. It also affects many facets of education, including student grades, placement and advancement as well as curriculum, instructional needs and school funding.”

In the paper, the authors detail a study in which they compare the beliefs and practices of K-12 teachers in relation to their years of teaching experience.

Data collected from 87 public school educators suggested that as teachers’ years of experience increase, the value they place in assessment increases as well. Experienced teachers hold a stronger belief that the assessment process impacts and improves students’ learning through determining students’ strengths and weaknesses, providing feedback and helping teachers modify ongoing teaching of students.

While they found that both beginning and experienced teachers use assessment practices in their classrooms, teachers with up to seven years of experience opt for more practical, easy-to-use assessment tools such as short answers and fill-in-the-blank type of quizzes. Teachers with more experience tend to prefer more original, teacher-created assessment practices such as individual student works, real-world tasks, group work and projects.

“The results of this study suggest that it is vital to have multiple lectures integrated into courses or a specific classroom assessment course or seminars and workshops to help the preservice teachers expand their knowledge on how to effectively use classroom assessment techniques,” said Unal. “I am pleased that my work has been recognized for contribution to the literature. It became another source of motivation to achieve my research goals. Of course, these are all possible thanks to my university, college and my colleagues.”

This ����Vlog Faculty Spotlight features Professor of Biology Sophie George, Ph.D., who is on temporary assignment at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Washington. In her position there, she is managing the “Research Coordination Networks-undergraduate Biology Education (RCN-UBE)” program in the Division of Biological Infrastructure. Professor George investigates the effect of environmental changes on marine organisms. Throughout her tenure at Georgia Southern, George has dedicated her academic career to training the next generation of scientists.

This episode of Faculty Spotlight features Jian Zhang, M.D., Dr.P.H., professor of epidemiology in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at ����Vlog. Dr. Zhang and a team of researchers have conducted several studies of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to track the misperceptions and relationships that children, adolescents and adults have with obesity. The studies have received national media attention, and the papers have been published in a wide range of academic journals, including the International Journal of Obesity and the Journal of the American Medical Association.

This installment of Faculty Spotlight features Michael Toma, Ph.D.,Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics and director of the Center for Business Analytics and Economic Research. For almost 20 years, Toma has researched the regional economy, drawing from a wide range of information sources and collecting his findings in the quarterly newsletter, the Coastal Empire Economic Monitor. Cited widely in newspapers, TV reports and other media throughout the region, the Monitor is a highly respected economic forecast for southeast Georgia.

This ����Vlog Faculty Spotlight features Alma Stevenson, Ph.D., an associate professor of literacy in the College of Education. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in critical literacy, strategies, assessment and literacy in the content areas. In her research, she examines K-8 educational policies and curricula that support the literacy and science education of underrepresented populations with an emphasis on Latinos and African-Americans. In this spotlight, she talks about her research efforts on literacy programs for children of migrant workers.

This installment of Faculty Spotlight features Alan Harvey, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Biology in the College of Science and Mathematics. Harvey has a wide range of scientific interests, and his most recent research demonstrates how plants recruit ants as bodyguards by providing sweet treats in return for protection. Harvey is also a documentary filmmaker, creating short films for many of his own research projects as well as those of his students and colleagues.

This installment of Faculty Spotlight features Li Li, Ph.D., professor in the School of Health and Kinesiology in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Primarily a research professor, Li works with both students and faculty to construct experiments and collect data for their research. Li is also a specialist in the human gait, and has created research projects with the University and with private industries to study the way people walk and balance.