Each person who has been honored by any one of the six awarding institutions is listed here alphabetically by last name.
The McDonald Mentoring Award program is designed, however, to celebrate annually diverse professionals in engineering and the applied sciences who, as exemplary mentors and advisors, have significantly and consistently supported the personal and professional development of others.
Aside from simply learning more about each of these outstanding individuals, there are many reasons to contact our honorees. You may wish to add your own congratulations! You may want to renew a former acquaintance. Or, you may want to learn more and become a better mentor or advisor yourself.
A sincere effort is maintained to keep this information up to date. However, the individual’s or institutions’ own web sites and directory listings should also prove helpful.
Titles and affiliations are listed as at the time of each award.
Samuel M. Allen, Ph.D. 2008
Professor of Physical Metallurgy, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Soraya Bailey, M.S. 2014
Support Engineer, Senior Design Course, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
William P. Ball, Ph.D. 2008
Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Nael Barakat, Ph.D., P.Eng. 2014
Professor and Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan;
Member, European Society for Engineering Education, and International Society for Engineering Education
Roger C. Barr, Ph.D. 2024
Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Eduardo J. Barrientos, Ph.D. 2020 Principal Engineer, Advanced Fuel Products, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering, New York
Sujata K. Bhatia, M.D., Ph.D. 2013
Assistant Director for Undergraduate Studies in Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS);
Assistant Dean, Harvard Summer School, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Robert Birkmyre, EUR ING, CEng. 2011
Professional European Engineer (EUR ING), European Federation of National Engineering Associations (FEANI); Chartered Engineer (U.K.);
BTech in Automotive Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, U.K.
Daniel Blankschtein, Ph.D. 2015
Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Duane Boning, Ph.D. 2016
Professor of Electrical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Michael P. Brenner, Ph.D. – First Harvard Honoree 2008-09
Professor of Applied Mathematics and Applied Physics, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Roger W. Brockett, Ph.D. 2011
Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, founder of Harvard Robotics Laboratory, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
L. Cate Brinson, Ph.D. 2023
Professor and Donald M. Alstadt Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Robert C. Cammarata, Ph.D. 2010
Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Luciano Castillo, Ph.D. 2016
Professor and Chair in Wind Energy, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Whitacre College of Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Krishnandu Chakrabarty, Ph.D. 2010
Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Gang Chen, Ph.D. 2011
Professor of Power Engineering; Director, Pappalardo Micro and Nano Engineering Laboratories, Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Naomi C. Chesler, Ph.D. 2019
Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor, Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
Robert E. Cohen, Ph.D. – First MIT Honoree 2006
Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Daniel R. Cooper, Ph.D. 2022
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Steven M. Cramer, Ph.D. 2008
Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
Lise Dahuron, Ph.D. 2012
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Lecturer, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Shaundra Daily, Ph.D. 2021
Professor of the Practice, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Director of the Diversity in Tech (DiT) Lab; Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Olivier L. de Weck, Ph.D. 2010
Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Daniel F. Dolan, Ph.D. 2017
Senior Lecturer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota
Finale Doshi-Velez, Ph.D. 2019
John L. Loeb Associate Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Nicholas Durr, Ph.D. 2019
Assistant Professor, Co-Director of the Undergraduate Design Team, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Gabor Fichtinger, Ph.D. 2006
Director of Engineering, Engineering Research Center for Computer-Integrated Surgical Systems and Technologies, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Timothy S. Fisher, Ph.D. 2012
Adjunct Professor, International Center for Materials Science (ICMS), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur, Bangalore, India. Professor of Mechanical Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Bridget Fletcher, M.A. 2012
Assistant Director of Student Services, Master of Engineering Management Program, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Linda P. Franzoni, Ph.D. 2006
Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Mary I. Frecker, Ph.D. 2023
Reiss Chair and Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
Devendra P. Garg, Ph.D. 2011
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science; Director, Robotics and Manufacturing Automation Laboratory;
Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
William R. Goodin, Ph.D. 2011
Director, Short Course Program and Technical Management Program, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Extension, Los Angeles, California
Jeffrey J. Gray, Ph.D. 2020
Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Claudia K. Gunsch, Ph.D. 2016
Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Michael R. Gustafson II, Ph.D. – First Duke Honoree 2005
Assistant Professor of the Practice, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University,
Durham, North Carolina
Wesley Harris, Ph.D. 2020
Charles Stark Draper Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Colette Heald, Ph.D. 2022
Germeshausen Professor, departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) and of Earth, Atmospherics and Planetary Sciences (EAPS), School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Marcus H. Henderson 2018
Teaching Laboratory Manager, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Abel Hernández-Guerrero, Ph.D. 2013
Professor, Departamento Ingenería Mechánica [Mechanical Engineering Department], División de Ingenierías [Division of Engineering],
Universidad de Guanajuato, Salamanca, Mexico
James C. Hill, Ph.D. 2018
Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Anette (Peko) Hosoi, Ph.D. 2019
Associate Dean of Engineering, and Neil and Jane Pappalardo Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Evelyn Hu, Ph.D. 2018
Tarr-Coyne Professor of Applied Physics and of Electrical Engineering, Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Todd C. Hufnagel, Ph.D. – First Johns Hopkins Honoree 2005
Associate Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Strotos Idreos, Ph.D. 2023
Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science, Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Joseph A. Izatt, Ph.D. 2008
Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Cathy Jancuk 2018
Undergraduate Program Manager, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Jenny Sloop Johnson, M.Ed. 2015
Associate Director, Career Services, Engineering Professional Masters Programs, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Carter J. Kerk, Ph.D., P.E. – First Tau Beta Pi Honoree 2006
Associate Professor, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota
Leslie A. Kolodziejski, Ph.D. 2009
Professor of Electrical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Carlos L. Lasarte V, M.S. 2015
Director Gerente y Asesor Técnico [Managing Director and Technical Advisor]; Combustión, Energía y Ambiente, C.A. [Company], República de Panamá
Harry R. Lewis, Ph.D. 2017
Professor of Computer Science, Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Na Li, Ph.D. 2020
Thomas D. Cabot Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Applied Mathematics, Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Antonette M. Logar, J.D., Ph.D. 2016
Professor, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota
Asad M. Madni, Ph.D., C.Eng. 2022
Distinguished Adjunct Professor and Distinguished Scientist, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Former President, COO and CTO of BEI Technologies; and former Chair, President and CEO of Systron Donner Corporation
Vinothan (Vinny) N. Manoharan, Ph.D. 2022
Wagner Family Professor of Chemical Engineering and Professor of Physics, Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Steven P. Marra, Ph.D., P.E. 2016
Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Michael I. Miller, Ph.D. 2013
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering; Director, Center for Imaging Science;
Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Martha C. Mitchell, Ph.D. 2019
Professor, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico
David J. Mooney, Ph.D. 2014
Professor of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Linsey Moyer, Ph.D. 2021
Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies, Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering, Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
La Tondra A. Murray, Ph.D. 2013
Adjunct Professor of the Practice, Associate Director, Professional Masters Programs, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Radhika Nagpal, Ph.D. 2015
Professor of Computer Science, Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Amedeo R. Odoni, Ph.D. 2007
Professor, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Elsa A. Olivetti, Ph.D. 2023
Associate Dean of Engineering; Jerry McAfee Professor in Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE), School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Allan V. Oppenheim, Sc.D. 2013
Professor of Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Principal Investigator, Research Laboratory of Electronics, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Terry P. Orlando, Ph.D. 2012
Professor of Electrical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Principal Investigator, Research Laboratory of Electronics, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Brendan J. O’Toole, Ph.D. 2014
Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Director, Mendenhall Innovation Program and Center for Materials and Structures, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hughes College of Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada
Dean S. Papajohn, Ph.D., P.E. 2020
Associate Professor of Practice, Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics, College of Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Charles B. Parker, Ph.D. 2014
Director, Nanomaterials and Thin Films Laboratory, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
David C. Parkes, Ph.D. 2012
Professor of Computer Science, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Lt. Col. Orval A. Powell, Ph.D., P.E. 2015
Associate Professor of Engineering Mechanics, Deputy for Curriculum and Assessment, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Carey E. Priebe, Ph.D. 2011
Professor, Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Sakul Ratanalert, Ph.D. 2023
Senior Lecturer, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Donna S. Reese, Ph.D. 2010
Professor and Associate Dean for Academics, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Bagley College of Engineering, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi
Lt. Col. Donald W. Rhymer, Ph.D. 2013
Professor and Head of Engineering Mechanics, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Michael Rizk, Ph.D. 2022
Assistant Professor of the Practice, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Derrick K. Rollins, Sr., Ph.D. 2012
Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Ronitt Rubinfeld, Ph.D. 2018
Edwin Sibley Webster Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Nick Roy, Ph.D. 2019
Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Sridevi V. Sarma, Ph.D. 2021
Associate Professor, Vice Dean for Graduate Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
David Schaad, Ph.D. 2006
Adjunct Assistant Professor and Assistant Chair, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University,
Durham, North Carolina
Margo I. Seltzer, Ph.D. 2010
Professor of Computer Science, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Thomas C. Sheahan, Sc.D., P.E. 2007
Professor and Chair, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
Pamela H. Sheff, Ph.D. 2024
Teaching Professor; Director, Center for Leadership Education (CLE); Director, Master of Science in Engineering Management Program (MSEM); Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Rebecca Simmons, Ph.D. 2020
Associate Professor of Practice, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Alexander H. Slocum, Ph.D. 2017
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Dario Solís, Ph.D. – First ASME Honoree 2010
Dirección de Investigación [Director of Research], Universidad Technológica de Panamá, República de Panamá
Marc A. Sommer, Ph.D. 2017
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering;
Associate Professor in Neurobiology, School of Medicine; Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Richard J. Spontak, Ph.D. 2023
Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and of Materials Science and Engineering; North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
Lester K. Su, Ph.D. 2007
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Gregg E. Trahey, Ph.D. 2019
Robert Plonsey Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Trac D. Tran, Ph.D. 2009
Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
George A. Truskey, Ph.D. 2007
Professor and Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
George C. Verghese, Ph.D. 2021
Henry Ellis Warren (1894) Professor of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Thomas E. Wade, Ph.D. 2009
Professor and Associate Dean for Research, Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
Robert M. Wagner, Ph.D. 2018
Director, National Transportation Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, Tennessee; faculty member, Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
Dana Walter-Shock 2022
Senior Academic Advisor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Office of Engineering Advising, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
James C. Williams, Ph.D., P.E. 2021
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas
Orla Wilson, Ph.D. 2017
Senior Lecturer, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Robert J. Wood, Ph.D. 2016
Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Maria C. Yang, Ph.D. 2014
Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
David T. Yue, M.D., Ph.D. 2015
Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience, Co-Director, Doctoral Program in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Pei Zhong, Ph.D. 2009
Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Award Program Institutions
The program is endowed to operate through six supporting institutions.
An international recognition is part of the annual society-level award programs of ASME. U. S. national honorees are recognized through the engineering honor society, Tau Beta Pi. Other outstanding mentors are selected annually through similarly-endowed institutional programs at Duke University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology – universities where sponsor Capers McDonald has been privileged to have been engaged as a learner, either as a student or faculty member.
Aside from simply learning more about each of these organizations, there are many reasons to contact our award program institutions! You may want to learn more and become a better mentor or advisor. You may wish to know the procedure for nominating an excellent mentor for one of the awards. Or, you may have some interest in contributing to the celebration by volunteering some of your time or funds to enhance the recognitions. All are welcomed!
A sincere effort is maintained to keep this information, including contacts, up to date. However, the institutions’ own web sites and directory listings should also prove helpful.
Connections Among the Six Institutions
In addition to their individual dedication to excellence in engineering and the applied sciences; to innovation, creativity and leadership; and to a broad social perspective on the role of engineers, these six institutions are prominent among those Capers McDonald has enjoyed working and learning in throughout his life – either as a student, faculty member or volunteer.
In the School of Engineering at Duke University, Capers earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) degree with majors in Biomedical Engineering and Zoology in 1974. He completed a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) degree at MIT in 1976, conducting his thesis work with fellow engineers at MIT and orthopedic surgeons at Children’s Hospital Boston. Following five years of employment, Capers concluded his formal education – to date – with a Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree from Harvard Business School in 1983.
Immediately following 12 years as President and CEO of BioReliance Corporation in 2004, Capers became an Executive in Residence and faculty member with Johns Hopkins University, teaching in graduate programs that in 2007 became parts of the newly-chartered Carey Business School.
Capers was inducted into Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honorary, following his third undergraduate year at Duke and served as the student Chapter President during 1973-74. He is a Life Member of ASME, which for many years was known as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.