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Parag Chitnis among Mason faculty award recipients
Indian-origin bioengineering professor recognized for ultrasound and photoacoustic innovations improving prosthetics and neurological monitoring
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Pranavi Sharma - Thu, 16, Apr 2026
- 02:07 EDT
- 18
Parag Chitnis / George Mason University
Parag Chitnis, professor of bioengineering at the Volgenau School of Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, has been named a 2026 recipient of George Mason University’s ‘Faculty Excellence in Research Award,’ the university announced April 15.
Chitnis, who joined George Mason in 2014 after several years in a nonprofit research role, was recognized as part of the university’s ‘Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence.’ The annual awards honor faculty across three service ranges and mark their 10th year in 2026. Recipients are selected by a review committee that includes prior awardees and senior leaders. Honorees will be recognized at a May 12 reception alongside the 2026 SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award recipients, Xuesu Xiao and Michael Bloom.
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The ‘Beck Family Presidential Medal for Excellence in Research,’ under which Chitnis was recognized, honors faculty whose work contributes consequential, high-impact advances in their field.
Chitnis’s research spans two areas. In biomedical ultrasonics, he has developed wearable ultrasound sensors designed as lightweight patches that allow continuous monitoring of muscle movement in real-world conditions. In photoacoustics, his work focuses on creating new methods to image neuro-electrical activity deep within tissue, an area previously not accessible through optical techniques.
These developments aim to improve prosthetic control for amputees and support earlier detection and better monitoring of neurological disorders.
University President Gregory Washington said the awards reflect the scope of faculty contributions. “The depth and breadth of our faculty members’ work is truly astounding,” he said. “It is my privilege to call them colleagues. And it is my honor each year to recognize their achievements.”
In addition to his research, Chitnis has been recognized for mentoring students at George Mason. The university said his work reflects the role of a scholar-innovator, combining research, teaching, and applied impact.
The Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence also include honors for teaching, social impact, and contributions to access and inclusion.
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