The 2018-19 Paul Simon Outstanding Teacher-Scholar: Dr. Serdar Celik, Dept. of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
The Paul Simon Outstanding Teacher-Scholar award is presented to an SIUE faculty member who has been recognized as an outstanding teacher and research scholar. The award demonstrates the belief that to be a good teacher, one must also be a good scholar. Winners of the Outstanding Teacher-Scholar award have shown significant contributions to original research or creative activities and have successfully integrated those contributions into their teaching practices.
Dr. Celik came to SIUE as an assistant professor in 2007. His research focus includes energy in general and more specifically green roofs, solar energy, and alternative cooling technologies. Dr. Celik’s research achievements include 9 journal publications (three with graduate students), 26 peer-reviewed conference proceedings (12 with graduate and 3 with undergraduate students), 3 book chapters (1 with a graduate student), 2 patent applications (1 with a graduate student), 17 external proposals (eight funded in excess of $85,000 where he served as PI on seven), 7 internal proposals (three funded in excess of $26,000, PI in all seven), 25 invited talks/seminars both national and international, and 2 Best Paper Awards (1 with a graduate student). Dr. Celik has received the Department of Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Teacher Award in Years 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2016. He also received the University Teaching Recognition award in 2010 and the University Teaching Distinction Award in 2011.
Dr. Celik is much respected among his colleagues and students. A colleague wrote, “…I have deep respect for Dr. Celik as a highly productive educator and member of the Mechanical Engineering Department. Considering his continued effective teaching and training of our students in his best research practices, especially in environmental friendly and green energy, I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this prestigious recognition.” Another colleague penned, “…an even more invaluable contribution has been the mentoring and inclusion of our students in his research projects.” One former graduate student wrote, “With Dr. Celik at the helm, two and a half years of meticulous data collection and research produced valuable information on the interaction of thin film solar cells with reflective and non-reflective roofs. Clearly seeing the importance of this research, the work was further validated with financial support by the National Roofing Contractor’s Association. I can truly say this effort stands as one of my proudest accomplishments, and I thank Dr. Celik for not only engaging my technical interests, but also investing in my personal growth.” An undergraduate student stated, “Dr. Celik guided us through the process of discovering relevant research and inspired us to create innovative designs which themselves could lead to publishable work.” Another wrote, “I was mentored by Dr. Celik during my time at SIUE and I think he made a great role model as I consequently pursued and recently attained my doctorate in Bioengineering program under the home school of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech….I must say that Dr. Celik is one of the inspirations that brought me to where I am today.”
Dr. Serdar Celik truly encompasses a teacher-scholar model in his interactions as described above in a few quotes from students and colleagues. The connection between research and teaching is very important to him. Dr. Celik wrote, “I have always been passionate about integrating my research into my teaching for two main reasons: (1) to elevate students’ excitement for learning, and (2) to maintain my motivation for teaching at high standards. I believe I have managed this at some level in the past 10 years when I look at my students’ achievements over this period.”
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Serdar Celik, the 2018-19 Paul Simon Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Award recipient, on his remarkable achievements.
