Oct. 18 2011

Harish P. Cherukuri, professor of mechanical engineering and engineering science and the department’s former director of graduate studies, is the recipient of the 2011 Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award. He was presented with the award at a reception on the evening of Oct. 18.

According to the award citation, “Cherukuri focuses on the total development of students by supporting them in their professional and personal growth, encouraging them to reach beyond their every day experiences and empowering them through a student-centered pedagogy. He fosters a learning environment that is considerate of students’ varying cultural and academic backgrounds, and his commitment to student learning and success extends well beyond the confines of the University.”

In the words of one graduate student, “Dr. Cherukuri has been and still is an inspiration to me both academically and personally, and has always supported and encouraged me in my endeavors. He is a very caring individual.”

During his academic and professional career, Cherukuri has chaired the doctoral and master’s committees of more than 20 graduate students and has, during his seven years as director of graduate studies, interacted directly with nearly every graduate student in the department.
A respected scholar, Cherukuri has authored or co-authored approximately 60 papers including those for peer-reviewed journals and refereed conference publications; a majority has been coauthored with students.

Cherukuri earned a bachelor of technology degree in mechanical engineering from J.N. Technological University, Hyderabad, India. He holds a master of science from Montana State University and Ph.D. in theoretical and applied mechanics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

He came to UNC Charlotte as a postdoctoral research associate in 1995, joining the faculty as a visiting assistant professor in 1997. He is a member of the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and U.S. Association for Computational Mechanics.

The winner of a Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship, Cherukuri recently spent a semester conducting research at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. In recognition of Cherukuri’s dedication, innovations in teaching and mentoring skills, he has received student-nominated teaching awards, including the Tau Beta Phi Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Maxheim Faculty Fellowship.

“With 19 doctoral programs, more to come in the future, and now 4,995 graduate students, quality mentoring by our faculty is essential as we cultivate in our students a commitment to excellent teaching, outstanding research, and a sense of personal and professional balance,” Chancellor Philip L.Dubois said at the award ceremony. “Harish Cherukuri, our honoree tonight, exemplifies these traits, and so it is fitting that he is being recognized tonight as the recipient of the Harshini de Silva Graduate Mentor Award.”

Harshini V. de Silva was an exceptional teacher, a brilliant scholar and researcher and a devoted servant of her profession and community until her untimely death in October 2000. The Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award is given annually to the faculty member whose commitment to students, research and scholarly inquiry most closely exemplifies the spirit of de Silva.