UW Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

UW ECE Chair Eric Klavins with 2023 departmental award winners

The UW Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering recognizes outstanding efforts by its students, faculty, staff, alumni and industry partners. Award recipients represent exceptional achievements and embody UW ECE core values such as leadership, collaboration, teamwork, and inclusive excellence. Self nominations are permitted and encouraged.

Yang Award for Outstanding Doctoral Student Award

Recognizes a UW ECE doctoral student who has conducted outstanding research in the field of electrical and computer engineering as evidenced by their publications or recognized by outside researchers in their field.

This award is open to all UW ECE doctoral students who are in good academic standing with the University of Washington.

Application Requirements

    • CV
    • Personal statement (3 pages max) addressing your research work, its potential applications and impact, and your reason and interest in pursuing this area of research
    • Most recent transcript
    • 2 letters of recommendation, 1 must be faculty or industry supervisor able to speak directly to research work

Additional materials are welcome to demonstrate work and experience, but the amount of additional documentation used for determination will be up to the discretion of the awards committee based on number of applications and committee bandwidth.

Determination Criteria

    • Number and quality of publications
    • Role in publication and number of citations
    • Recognition/ response of publications
    • Quality and quantity of research experience
    • Impact of research
    • Innovation of research
    • Research professionalism and abilities as determined by letters of recommendation

Vikram Jandhyala and Suja Vaidyanathan Endowed Innovation Award

Recognizes a UW ECE student who has demonstrated entrepreneurial potential. The award was founded by former EE department chair and professor Vikram Jandhyala, who was the UW Vice Provost for Innovation and Executive Director of CoMotion, UW’s collaborative innovation and technology transfer hub, and his wife, Suja Vaidyanathan, an EE alum (BSEE ’97). 

This award is open to all UW ECE undergraduate and graduate students who are in good academic standing with the University of Washington.

Application Requirements

    • CV
    • Personal statement (3 pages max) addressing your entrepreneurial work, its potential applications and impact, and your reason and interest in pursuing this area
    • Business plan for your existing or developing business venture
    • 2 letters of recommendation, 1 must be able to speak directly to entrepreneurial work
    • Most recent transcript

Additional materials are welcome to demonstrate work and experience, but the amount of additional documentation used for determination will be up to the discretion of the awards committee based on number of applications and committee bandwidth.

Determination Criteria

    • Quality and impact of the student’s entrepreneurial work
      • Scalability
      • Patents or potential for future patents
      • Ability to fill a gap/need in the industry
      • Alignment with ECE skill sets and scope
    • Professionalism and abilities as determined by letters of recommendation

Outstanding Mentorship Award

Recognizes a student, faculty, staff member, alumnus, or industry partner who has provided exemplary mentorship to students, especially in the area of inclusive excellence.

Application Requirements

    • Letter of support describing the impact of a mentor on personal and professional growth (for an individual or group). The letter should include specific examples and stories illustrating how the mentor guided, supported, or advocated for others, and how these efforts enhanced the UW ECE experience for mentees.

Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award

Recognizes an undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to teaching in UW ECE.

Application Requirements

    • Letter of support describing the nominee’s outstanding contributions to teaching in UW ECE. The letter should include specific examples illustrating how the teaching assistant enhances student learning, fosters an inclusive and supportive classroom environment, and goes above and beyond to support student success.

 Nominations are due by Friday, June 5th at 12 p.m.

 

 

View past award recipients.