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Mahdi Yazdanpour, associate professor in the Department of Engineering Technology, was recently awarded the IEEE Region 2 Outstanding Engineering Educator Award.

Mahdi Yazdanpour, associate professor in the Department of Engineering Technology, was recently awarded the IEEE Region 2 Outstanding Engineering Educator Award. This prestigious honor recognizes Yazdanpour’s excellence in engineering education. Region 2 includes 20 IEEE sections across the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley region.

Yazdanpour began teaching at ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ in fall 2025. Previously, he served as an assistant professor and program coordinator of Mechatronics Engineering Technology at Northern Kentucky University, bringing over a decade of industry experience to the classroom.

Alongside his professional experience, he brings a strong interdisciplinary background in engineering education to the department. He received his B.S. in Computer Engineering from Qazvin Azad University, his M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), and his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Oklahoma State University.

“This diverse background has helped me look at engineering problems from multiple perspectives and approach teaching and research with a strong focus on practical, real-world solutions,” he said.

Yazdanpour is also an ABET Program Evaluator, helping evaluate engineering technology programs for quality, ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ learning outcomes, and continuous improvement — a role that supports his focus on industry-relevant engineering technology education.

In the classroom, Yazdanpour incorporates hands-on, ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ-centered learning into his curriculum to prepare ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs for the future. “This approach helps ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs prepare for real-world engineering problems that are multidisciplinary, open-ended, and require collaboration among different teams and individuals,” he said.

Since transitioning to academia, Yazdanpour has been inspired by ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ growth and committed to helping ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs build the skills and confidence needed to achieve their academic and professional goals.

“Many ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs begin a course or project with curiosity, but they may not yet have full confidence in their abilities,” Yazdanpour said. “Through mentorship, hands-on experience, and consistent practice, they begin to build confidence, technical independence, and the ability to solve complex problems.”

At ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ, Yazdanpour hopes to contribute to a learning environment that values ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ success, applied learning, and innovation. He enjoys helping ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs connect classroom concepts to meaningful engineering applications, whether through senior design, laboratory work, research projects, or industry-relevant challenges.

Outside of the classroom, Yazdanpour’s research interests center on real-world applications, including intelligent mechatronic systems, human-robot interaction, artificial intelligence, brain-computer interfaces, brain-controlled systems, automation, and assistive technologies.

One of Yazdanpour’s current research projects is an AI-driven, hybrid brain-computer interface integrated with a brain-controlled prosthetic arm. The project has attracted attention beyond the laboratory, including coverage by local television channels and a feature in the O&P Almanac, a magazine published by the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association. A patent application related to the technology has also been submitted. The project has also received research support and innovation recognition through competitive grant and award programs, further highlighting its translational potential.

“A long-term goal of mine is to contribute to technologies that improve quality of life, especially for individuals who may benefit from advanced engineering solutions that support health, independence, and daily living,” Yazdanpour said.

When conducting research projects, Yazdanpour is motivated by innovation and the opportunity to develop technologies that address real needs and open new possibilities. Yazdanpour is also motivated by ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs. He said, “Their questions, creativity, and persistence inspire me to keep improving my teaching, developing new projects, and pursuing research opportunities that support ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ involvement and professional growth.”

\When he received the Outstanding Engineering Educator Award, Yazdanpour was deeply moved, as it was a testament to his commitment to engineering education. His philosophy is that engineering education should prepare ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs for the real world while also building confidence and curiosity.

“My first reaction was gratitude — especially for my wife, who has been my main source of support, as well as for my ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs, colleagues, and mentors,” he said. “This award reflects the projects, partnerships, and support systems that have shaped my work as an educator and researcher.”

Yazdanpour hopes to continue developing a strong model of engineering technology education that integrates hands-on learning, undergraduate research, industry relevance, and emerging technologies at ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ. He also hopes to continue his research in intelligent mechatronics, robotics, automation, and brain-controlled systems. Most importantly, he hopes to continue mentoring and supporting engineering ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs.

“For me, one of the greatest accomplishments is seeing ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs develop the confidence, skills, and sese of purpose to use engineering technology in ways that benefit industry, communities, and society,” he said.