Michel Akiki and Alexander Woods, two doctoral students at the UT Space Institute, were recognized at the recent Chancellor’s Honors Banquet, where they were presented with the Chancellor’s Citation Award for Extraordinary Professional Promise. The Honors Banquet is held each spring to recognize students, faculty, staff, and friends of the University of Tennessee for their extraordinary achievements. Hosted by Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek, this year’s banquet took place in Knoxville on April 8, 2013.

Michel Akiki, a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering, joined UTSI in August 2007. His advisor, Joseph Majdalani, Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering, nominated Michel for his significant achievements in high speed propulsion and rocket stability. According to Majdalani, Michel’s vital research contributions, leadership role, and faithful service to the Space Institute justified his nomination for the well-deserved honor.

Alexander Woods, a PhD candidate in Physics and Astronomy, joined UTSI in June 2011. His advisor, Christian G. Parigger, Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, nominated Alexander for his truly promising work on atomic and molecular spectroscopy connected with the characterization of plasma in space-related applications. Akiki and Woods are expected to complete their doctoral work in the summers of 2013 and 2014, respectively.

(Left to Right), Joseph Majdalani, Michel Akiki, Alexander Woods, Chris Parigger
– Photo by Dimitrios Kakavelakis