TLDR: Seven early-career faculty members from Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering have been honored with the prestigious 2025 National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Awards. Their pioneering research spans a wide array of critical areas, from cybersecurity and urban traffic management to physical rehabilitation, data storage, and the development of space-based artificial intelligence tools.
Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering is celebrating a significant achievement as seven of its early-career faculty members have been granted the highly competitive 2025 National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Awards. This recognition underscores the Fulton Schools’ dedication to fostering innovative talent capable of addressing pressing global challenges through impactful research and integrated teaching excellence. The NSF CAREER Program is designed to support promising junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education, and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations.
The awardees and their trailblazing research areas include:
Tiffany Bao, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence: Bao’s research focuses on developing advanced frameworks to anticipate and counter cyberattacks before they occur. With the FBI reporting over 2,000 cybercrime complaints daily and annual damages exceeding $16 billion, her work is crucial in a field facing a shortage of nearly 750,000 cybersecurity professionals in the U.S.
Zhichao Cao, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence: Cao received his NSF CAREER Award for his innovative solutions in efficient data storage, particularly for evolving data center architectures. His project aims to enhance the sustainability, resource management, and operational efficiency of large-scale facilities. This includes collaborations with ASU’s Center for Cybersecurity and Trusted Foundations to inspire K-12 students in computing and data science. Ross Maciejewski, director of the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, highlighted Cao’s pivotal role in ‘delivering big innovations in cloud computing, large-scale artificial intelligence services, and scientific computing.’
Heejin Jeong, Assistant Professor of Human Systems Engineering, The Polytechnic School: Jeong’s work is centered on improving physical rehabilitation methodologies.
Dina VerdÃn, Assistant Professor: VerdÃn’s research aims to redefine how engineering students set goals, maintain engagement, and persevere through challenging academic programs. Her framework challenges existing motivational theories, adapting them to better reflect the diverse cultural and contextual experiences of minoritized engineering students.
Hannah Kerner, Assistant Professor: Kerner’s research contributes to advancing space-based artificial intelligence tools.
Hua Wei, Assistant Professor: Wei’s work is focused on managing urban traffic systems more effectively.
Mohamed Houssem Kasbaoui, Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy: Kasbaoui’s research explores areas within mechanical and aerospace engineering.
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These projects collectively embody the Fulton Schools’ commitment to innovation and public impact, addressing a spectrum of challenges from fighting cybercrime to rethinking data storage and advancing AI capabilities in space. The awards provide significant support for these early-career faculty members, enabling them to further their research, enhance their teaching, and integrate these two critical aspects of their academic careers.
