They are bold, they are brilliant and they are reshaping the future of higher education.
In the past year, three of the nation’s top awards for early-career researchers have gone to five faculty members in the Clemson University College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences.
Their names are Cheng Sun, Daljit Singh Dhillon, Christopher Flathmann, Nianyi Li and Ming Yang. But you can think of them as the “Fierce Five” for the forward momentum they bring to Clemson’s research enterprise.
All five in the past year have received awards that recognize them as rising stars in higher education. Sun’s is worth singling out: he won the especially prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
Yue Wang, the college’s associate dean for research, said the awards underscore that the college is moving fiercely forward in shaping the next generation of leaders.
“These awards speak to the exceptional talent we attract to Clemson,” Wang said. “They bring bold ideas, resilience, and a deep commitment to making a positive impact—both through their research and their mentorship of future engineers and scientists. Their growth and success is vital to the college’s mission, and we are proud to support their journey.”
Dhillon, Li and Yang received CAREER Awards from the National Science Foundation, while Flathmann has secured an award through Air Force Office of Scientific Research’s Young Investigator Program.
Through their groundbreaking work, the Fierce Five are pioneering new types of advanced materials, strengthening artificial intelligence capabilities, shaping the future of transportation and finding sustainable energy solutions.
The Fierce Five are creating exemplary educational experiences and cementing the college’s position as a leader in high-impact, real-world research.
ANAND K. GRAMOPADHYE — DEAN, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, COMPUTING AND APPLIED SCIENCES
The awards come with significant funding for research, and the CAREER Awards also include a component for educational outreach that engages students from the K-12 system to the graduate level. The Air Force program supports early-career scientists and engineers who show exceptional ability and promise for conducting basic research.
Anand Gramopadhye, dean of the college, said the Fierce Five are helping elevate Clemson’s research profile while laying the groundwork for sustained success.
“The Fierce Five are creating exemplary educational experiences and cementing the college’s position as a leader in high-impact, real-world research,” he said. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of them and look forward to working with them to shape the leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs of the future.”
Here’s a closer look at each member of the Fierce Five:
Cheng Sun, associate professor with joint appointments in mechanical engineering and materials science and engineering, develops advanced materials for sustainable energy. MORE
Daljit Singh Dhillon, an assistant professor in the School of Computing, researches how nature produces vibrant colors, potentially laying the groundwork for innovations such as energy-efficient digital displays, secure communication systems and realistic visual effects in movies and games. MORE
Christopher Flathmann, an assistant professor in the School of Computing, is exploring how humans and artificial intelligence can collaborate more effectively– crucial research as AI becomes increasingly embedded in daily life and decision-making. MORE
Nianyi Li, assistant professor in the School of Computing, is developing advanced 3D vision based systems capable of operating in complex, unstructured environments such as forests, deserts, and disaster zones. MORE
Ming Yang, Dean’s Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, focuses on extracting hydrogen from ammonia, which could help unlock hydrogen’s potential as a sustainable energy source. MORE
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