Prof. Anand receives Univ of Texas Award

Dallas, Texas, Aug 19: Civil Engineering Professor Anand Puppala was among seven University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) faculty members honored with Outstanding Teaching Awards by the UT System Board of Regents for 2009-10, informed Prasad Thotakura, Executive Vice President of TANA.

The University of Texas System Regents awards program was established by the Board of Regents in August 2008 as the latest in a series of UT System-sponsored activities aimed at fostering innovative approaches to teaching, research and commercialization endeavors at all 15 UT System institutions. The Board of Regents gave 72 awards to faculty from 15 institutes this year to faculty.

The prestigious award recognizes faculty who deliver the highest quality of undergraduate instruction through a demonstrated commitment to teaching and who exhibit a promising future of excellence in all aspects of instruction. 'I am truly happy to receive this prestigious award,' said Dr. Puppala. 'It not only recognizes my current teaching contributions, but also reminds me of my future responsibilities to maintain the same standards. I want to thank my students and colleagues as well as my family for their support and encouragement in this journey so far.' Anand Puppala says the driving force behind his teaching is a desire to produce well-qualified, energetic engineers who will design and build the country's infrastructure.

Puppala's research focuses on soil mechanics and foundation engineering. He has secured more than $7.5 million in external research grants for UT Arlington, including funds from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Texas Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Transportation Research Board and several others.

Puppala was inducted into the UT Arlington Academy of Distinguished Teachers in 2009 and has twice won his department's award for outstanding civil engineering instructor, an award made by students.

Dr. Puppala published well over 200 papers and successfully guided 13 doctoral students and 33 master students. He is also an editorial board member of four prestigious civil engineering journals and delivered several keynote and invited lectures across the World.

'It gives an immense pleasure to the local Indian American community especially Telugu community to know that Dr. Anand Puppala received this coveted award out of thousands of faculty in the entire UT System. Dr. Puppala, a Life member of TANA, actively participates in all local community activities and we wish him all the best', said Prasad Thotakura.