.

College of Engineering News

Head shot of Michelle O'Malley, a professor of chemical engineering and the interim chair of the Bioengineering Department

Mar 31, 2026
Pacific Coast Business Times Recognizes Professor Michelle O'Malley

Professor Michelle O'Malley was named one of the Top Women of 2026 by the primary weekly business journal in the tri-counties. 

Source: Pacific Coast Business Times
Image of Shuji Najamura seated in chair next to light bulbs

Mar 24, 2026
Nobel laureate Shuji Nakamura to receive honorary doctorate from University of Oxford

Inventor of the blue LED and winner of the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics, Nakamura will receive Oxford's most prestigious award.

Source: The Current
James Buckwalter, new NAI senior member.

Mar 19, 2026
A Professional Honor for James Buckwalter

The ECE professor and entrepreneur becomes a member of the National Academy of Inventors.

Steven DenBaars

Mar 19, 2026
One Man, Two Prestigious Awards of the Same Name in 2026

Steven DenBaars receives one Nick Holonyak Award from Optica, and another from IEEE.

Mar 12, 2026
Michelle O'Malley Elected Fellow of American Academy of Microbiology

UCSB professor is one of sixty-three scholars recognized for excellence, originality, service, and leadership in the microbial sciences.

From left: Umesh Mishra, Frank Koenig, B.S. Manjunath, Luke Theogarajan. Photo by Mia Nie.

Feb 20, 2026
B.S. Manjunath Appointed First Frank Koenig Distinguished Chair

ECE professor known for computer vision and neural networks research is honored as one of four endowed chairs in the department.

Ryan Berry (left) and Norleakvisoth Lim are presented with their awards by Manabu Ihara, director of the Institute of Science Tokyo's Academy of Energy and Informatics

Feb 05, 2026
UCSB PhD Students Earn Top Honors at International Energy And Informatics Forum
The chemical engineering PhD students were recognized for their presentations on catalysis and energy-efficient chemical processes. 
Alan Heeger (center) with his wife, Ruth (right) and UCSB chemistry professor and polymer expert Thuc-Quyen Nguyen

Feb 05, 2026
Nobel Laureate Alan Heeger Turns 90; Celebrates with a Symposium

A science-based birthday bash for the materials-chemistry giant who gave us conductive polymers.

Source: UCSB Current

Jan 07, 2026
MESA Accelerates Student Success

A second-year engineering student and her team thrive in the MESA Idea Accelerator Program. 

Kevin Plaxco

Dec 15, 2025
Kevin Plaxco Elected Fellow of National Academy of Inventors

The honor comes thanks to a sensor, developed in the Plaxco lab, that promises more precise dosing of medicinal drugs.

Axel Palmstrom, a UC Santa Barbara graduate

Dec 11, 2025
UCSB Graduate Named One of the World’s Most Cited Researchers

Axel Palmstrom is among those recognized for important contributions in their fields of research.

Linda Petzold Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science

Dec 11, 2025
UCSB Professor Linda Petzold Elected Fellow of IETI

Linda Petzold is among seventy scholars elected for their global influence.

Search News