Recipient of the 2026 Terry Peshia Early Career Faculty Award

I am deeply honored and grateful to share that I have been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Terry Peshia Early Career Faculty Award by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). This prestigious award recognizes early-career faculty who demonstrate exceptional promise in structural steel research, teaching, and contributions to the structural steel industry.

According to AISC, I was recognized for:

“Conducting research on the seismic behavior and design of steel columns, which has provided essential insights into local buckling behavior and axial shortening.”

My research focuses on improving the resilience and safety of steel structures subjected to earthquakes, with an emphasis on understanding the complex behavior of steel columns under extreme loading conditions. The findings from this work contribute to advancing seismic design methodologies and supporting the development of safer and more reliable infrastructure.

I am sincerely thankful to my students, collaborators, mentors, and colleagues whose support, encouragement, and dedication have made this achievement possible. I am also grateful to the University of the District of Columbia for fostering an environment that values research, innovation, and student success.

Receiving an award named in honor of Terry Peshia, whose legacy continues to inspire excellence in the structural steel community, makes this recognition especially meaningful.

This award motivates me to continue pursuing impactful research, mentoring the next generation of engineers, and contributing to the advancement of structural engineering practice and education.

Thank you to AISC for this tremendous honor.

Gulen Ozkula, Ph.D.