Nine faculty members, including Associate Professor Thomas Wahl, were honored for their trailblazing work and the impact they are making in our local communities, our nation and the world during UCF’s annual Luminary Awards held Friday at the Orlando Museum of Art.
The Luminary Awards — established in 2017 — are designed to recognize some of UCF’s brightest stars who shine a positive light on the university and in their respective fields, as well as illuminate a path of discovery for those who will come after them.
Honorees were selected based on nominations by deans, chairs and directors from across the university. The event was attended by the recipients, their close family and friends, as well as former awardees and special guests from the community.
UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Johnson, Vice President for Research and Innovation Winston Schoenfeld and Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Excellence Joel Cramer were on hand to recognize each winner.
A Luminary in the Limelight
Wahl has established himself as a leader in climate change research, focusing on the impact of sea level rise and storm surges on the built environment. His work integrates engineering with atmospheric and oceanographic sciences and influences policy at national and international levels.
Since joining UCF in 2017, Wahl has attracted nearly $6 million in research funding, contributing to projects totaling over $55 million. His scholarly output is remarkable, with more than 100 peer-reviewed journal papers with over 5,000 Scopus citations. His research has been published in prestigious journals such as Nature and Nature Climate Change, and his excellent ability to communicate the importance of his work to stakeholders and the media elevates UCF’s prominence nationally and globally.
Wahl’s numerous accolades include the Huber Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers and early career investigator awards from both NASA and the U.S. National Science Foundation. He is also a dedicated mentor, having guided students like Javed Ali, a recent Order of Pegasus awardee. His research has gained widespread media attention, appearing in The Washington Post, National Geographic and numerous state and local media outlets.
With his impressive achievements and significant contributions to addressing climate change, Wahl continues to push the boundaries of research and innovation.
- Written by Robert Wells for UCF Today
- Nov. 5, 2024