Congratulations to James Baciak, Ph.D., and Yong Yang, Ph.D., both recipients of the 2019-2020 Doctoral Dissertation Advisor/Mentoring Award from the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering.

“I am truly honored to receive this award,” Dr. Yang said. “As a faculty member, I feel there is no greater reward than seeing my students be successful at UF and to have a bright future. I am grateful for the recognition and highly indebted to the strong support from my department.”

Dr. Yang is an Associate Professor in the Nuclear Engineering (NE) Program housed within the Department of Materials Science & Engineering. His research focuses on structural and fuel materials for nuclear energy systems, advanced fabrication and joining technologies and spent fuel dry storage.

Dr. Baciak is a professor in the NE Program and holder of the Florida Power and Light Professorship. His research focuses on applied aspects of cargo monitoring, detector testing and characterization for gamma-ray spectroscopy, as well as the development and analysis of techniques for environmental sampling and surveys related to on-site inspections.

The Doctoral Dissertation Advisor/Mentoring Award recognizes excellence, innovation and effectiveness in doctoral student advising and mentoring. Drs. Baciak and Yang will be formally acknowledged during the virtual Spring Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering Awards ceremony.