Auburn University Faculty Awards
2015-16 Alumni Professors
Recognizes 25 faculty members for research, publishing, and teaching by awarding five-year, non-renewable professorships through the Auburn Alumni Association. The Alumni Writer-in-Residence, a creative writer from the English faculty, is the only ongoing appointment.
Oladiran Fasina, Professor, Department of Biosystems Engineering, College of Agriculture
PhD, Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering; 1994 – University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
MS, Agricultural Engineering; 1988 – Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
BS, Agricultural Engineering; 1985 – Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
“This award is an honor and privilege. It is recognition of the hard work from students in my research group and my desire to improve the education experience of the students in biosystems engineering.”
Since coming to Auburn in 2002, Oladiran Fasina has been involved in several teaching, research, and outreach collaborative projects that have generated about $36 million in extramural funding and support. In addition to his responsibilities as a professor and undergraduate program coordinator, Fasina conducts research in biological materials process engineering, including biomass logistics, storage and handling, food engineering, and renewable energy. He has published 77 peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals, authored four book chapters, and given more than 90 presentations at national and international conferences. Fasina is the editor of the processing systems section of the three journals published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. The ASABE named Fasina a fellow in 2014 and also awarded him the Evelyn E. Rosentrater Standards Award. Auburn has recognized him with many awards as well, including senior and junior Faculty Researcher awards from the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station and Outstanding Biosystems Engineering Faculty.
Sushil Adhikari, Associate Professor, Department of Biosystems Engineering, College of Agriculture
PhD, Biological Engineering; 2008 – Mississippi State University
MS, Renewable Energy; 2003 – Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
BS, Mechanical Engineering; 2000 – Tribhuvan University, Nepal
“My proudest moment has been watching students graduate in biosystems engineering and take on challenges to solve energy, food, fiber, and water issues for the 21st century.”
Sushil Adhikari teaches biosystems engineering classes and conducts research related to bioenergy and biofuels, especially in the field of thermochemical conversion. His research interests include production of fuels and chemicals from biomass such as trees, grasses, and agriculture residues. Adhikari has published 68 peer-reviewed journal articles and has been cited more than 3,200 times. Since beginning at Auburn in 2008, Adhikari has received the Alabama Distinguished Young Agricultural Engineer Award in 2010; the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Director’s Research Award in 2011; the Auburn University President’s Outstanding Collaborative Units Award in 2012; the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, or ASABE, New Holland Young Researcher Award in 2013; and the Auburn University College of Agriculture Dean’s Grantsmanship Award in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Adhikari and his wife, Sangita Pokharel Adhikari, have one daughter: Arya.