CAPPA Faculty Earn University Honors for Teaching, Mentorship, and Research Excellence
Pictured L-R: Prof. Brad Bell, Drs. Karabi Bezboruah, and Shermeen Yousif
Recognition took center stage for the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA) this spring as seven faculty members were honored for excellence in teaching, mentorship, research, and faculty leadership during The University of Texas at Arlington’s Spring Meeting of the University Faculty & Associates and Celebration of Creative Works, held April 14 in the UTA Library.
From groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence and robotic fabrication to sustained leadership in doctoral and undergraduate mentoring, this year’s honorees represent CAPPA's wide-ranging impact across architecture, public affairs, and interdisciplinary scholarship.
“I am incredibly proud of our faculty for earning these well-deserved recognitions,” said Dean Ming-Han Li. “Each of these honors reflects not only individual excellence, but also CAPPA’s shared commitment to advancing innovative teaching, research, and impactful mentorship. Our faculty continue to shape the future of their disciplines while creating transformative opportunities for our students, and these accomplishments truly reflect that dedication.”
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Pictured L-R: Asst. Dean. Charles MacBride, Dr. David Franco, Prof. Brad Bell, Dr. Karabi Bezboruah, Dr. Shermeen Yousif, Dean Ming-Han Li, and Dr. Atefe Makhmalbaf
Honoring Excellence in Teaching and Student Success
Among the evening’s most distinguished recognitions was the induction of Associate Professor Bradley Bell of the School of Architecture into UTA’s Academy of Distinguished Teachers (ADT), one of the university’s highest honors for teaching excellence. Bell’s recognition highlights his devoted, enthusiastic, and long-standing commitment to student success and the University's teaching mission.
Related: Associate Professor inducted into UTA’s Academy of Distinguished Teachers
The celebration also named Dr. Karabi Bezboruah, CAPPA Associate Dean and Professor in the Department of Public Affairs and Planning, as the recipient of the Excellence in Doctoral Student Mentoring Award. Selected from an exceptional pool of nominees, Bezboruah was honored for her consistent record of excellence in promoting the professional, personal, and academic development of doctoral students at the university.
Related: Associate Dean honored with Excellence in Doctoral Student Mentoring award
CAPPA’s commitment to student research and academic pathways was further carried on by the recognition of Dr. Mahmoud Bayat, Asst. Professor Letora Anderson, and Dr. Oswald Jenewein, who were all honored for their mentorship in the Undergraduate and Research Opportunity Program/ Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program. Through their guidance, they support students in developing research confidence, providing hands-on experiences, and preparing for future graduate and professional endeavors. They embody CAPPA’s sustained tradition of supporting undergraduate student success.
Research Innovation Driving the Future
Research excellence was also a defining theme among this year’s CAPPA honorees.
Dr. Shermeen Yousif, Associate Professor of Architecture, received a Research Enhancement Program (REP) Grant for her project, “Materializing AI Ecologies: A New Framework for Translating AI-Driven Designs into High-Performing, Robotically Fabricated Architectural Prototypes.” The project advances an interdisciplinary approach at the intersection of artificial intelligence, performance-driven design, and robotic fabrication, addressing a critical gap in the transformation of AI-generated architectural designs into viable prototypes.
Related: Transforming AI-Generated designs into high-performance architecture
We also congratulate Shadi Nazarian, Professor of Architecture, for receiving the Interdisciplinary Research Program Grant. This recognition highlights the significance of her scholarly leadership and innovative research agenda, which continues to contribute to CAPPA’s growing national academic profile.
A Collective Reflection of CAPPA’s Mission
Together, these honors tell a bigger story about CAPPA’s culture of excellence: One defined by innovation in research, deep investment in students, and leadership across disciplines.
As the university celebrated faculty achievements across campus, CAPPA’s honorees served as an important reflection of the college’s mission: to engage the creative and scholarly disciplines through its commitment to providing an outstanding, research-driven education.