NIU’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (CEET) announced that Associate Professor Kevin Martin, Ph. D. was named its 2019 Faculty of the Year for Excellence in Undergraduate Education. The goal of the award is to recognize a faculty member that has excelled in teaching effectively, educational research, lab innovations, and much more. Faculty are nominated for the award by their peers.
“Dr. Martin has demonstrated his dedication to our students consistently over the years,” said CEET Dean Donald Peterson, Ph. D. “He deserves this award, and it’s not a surprise to me that this is the second time it’s been awarded to him since 2012 when he joined our faculty.” Martin won the award in 2014 as well.
“It is always a privilege to educate students so they have the means to achieve their dreams and increase their social mobility,” said Martin. “I’m honored to be recognized among the amazing group of faculty within CEET.”
Professor Martin joined the Department of Engineering Technology in 2012 and has a joint appointment with NIU’s Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability & Energy, which brings together community engagement and interdisciplinary research to improve the environment. Martin’s research interests primarily focus on lighting control systems and wearable devices.
In July this year, his research on “Light and Lighting for OSH Professionals” was published in Professional Safety, the American Society of Safety Professionals’ journal that reviews the latest trends in safety management and injury prevention. The research studied LED lighting in the workplace and its effects on humans. LED lighting has become increasingly popular for its low energy use and low cost. The research was conducted with co-researchers from NIU including associate professor William Mills, Ph.D., and graduate student Justin Cathey.
Martin has had other accomplishments, as well. This year, he received a seed grant from the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) to help enhance agricultural practices in Illinois. This specific research task, along with a faculty member from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, will look at the ability to enhance the flavor of basil plants. Martin’s overall goal for the vertical farm project is to incorporate machine learning to improve plant growth rates and quality in urban farming operations.
Prior to joining NIU, he was an assistant research professor at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Missouri University of Science & Technology. He attended Missouri University of Science & Technology where he earned bachelor’s and master’s of science degrees in chemical engineering and a Ph.D. in engineering management where his dissertation was titled, “Hydrogen Infrastructure: Resource Evaluation and Capacity Modeling.”
About the CEET Department of Engineering Technology
The Department of Engineering Technology prepares students to succeed as the next generation of industrial and engineering technologists by offering a curriculum focused on developing fundamental and technical management skills to excel in today’s ever-changing technological world. Classes mix theoretical education with industry-based, hands-on opportunities that expand understanding of applied engineering and how science, math and computers all relate in this unique area of technical education.
The department offers bachelor’s degrees in industrial management and technology, manufacturing engineering technology, energy and environmental technology or electrical engineering technology; an emphasis in environmental health and safety; and certificate programs in energy management, and facilities management. The graduate program offers master’s degrees in industrial management and a certificate program in facilities management.
About CEET
Ranked in the top 40 of undergraduate engineering programs by U.S. World and News Report, CEET was established in 1985 and offers degree programs accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) in electrical engineering, engineering technology, industrial and systems engineering, and mechanical engineering. In 2019 CEET expanded its offerings to include bachelor’s degree programs in biomedical engineering and mechatronics engineering and Ph.D. programs in mechanical, electrical and industrial and systems engineering. The college is housed in its 125,000 square foot facility featuring more than 35 state-of-the-art laboratories that are open to all students from freshmen year through graduate school.