Trevor Moeller, professor at The University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI), received the initial Charles and Julie Wharton Teaching Fellow Award (established in 2016) for superior teaching. The award was presented by the Tickle College of Engineering with the ceremony being held at The Foundry in Knoxville, Tenn. on April 20, 2017.

In introducing Moeller, Lynne Parker said, “Moeller is widely appreciated, respected, and enthusiastically endorsed by his students. It is rare to see such overwhelmingly positive reviews from students and to find an instructor who teaches so many different courses – 23 at last count – 6 of which were developed by this instructor.”

“We are very proud of the excellence Moeller embodies as a professor,” said Mark Whorton, UTSI Executive Director. “Moeller is deserving of this honor and is an important part of our Institute.”

Matthew Mench, Head of the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee Knoxville nominated Moeller for the award.

“When I received notification of this award,” Moeller said, “I was very surprised and very appreciative. Everything I do in my job is for the students.”

Moeller joined the Space Institute’s Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering faculty in February, 2004. Previous to that he was a Research Engineer for InnovaTek, Inc. 1998-2004; from 1991-1998 he was a Graduate Research Assistant in the Center for Laser Applications, University of Tennessee. Moeller earned both his Master degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1993 and his Ph.D. in 1998 from the University of Tennessee.v

Moeller has broad interest in plasma physics and high-enthalpy gases, including the modeling and testing of electric propulsion devices, plasma diagnostics, and the generation of nonthermal plasmas for chemical processing and surface treatment. He also has interest in the utilization of plasmas for hydrogen production and materials processing.

Moeller and his wife Laurie, live in Manchester with their two young sons, Zach and Elliott.