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College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Electrical and Computer Engineering

2025 ECE Department Award Ceremony Honors Outstanding Students

Student Award Winners
Elizabeth Rand, Dhanya Moncy,  Arpita Saha, Angelo Coonghe and Laiba Bilal

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering proudly recognized the achievements of its students at the 2025 ECE Award Ceremony, held in conjunction with the university’s commencement celebration on May 22, 2025. Faculty, family, and distinguished guests gathered to honor students whose academic and project-based accomplishments exemplify the values and mission of the department.

Armstrong Awards: Kamil Galatzka and Laiba Bilal

This year’s Armstrong Memorial Research Foundation (AMRF) Awards were presented to Kamil Galatzka (undergraduate) and Laiba Bilal (Ph.D.) in recognition of their academic excellence and commitment to research in electrical engineering.

The award, established in honor of Major Edwin Howard Armstrong (1890–1954)—the legendary inventor of FM radio—acknowledges students with outstanding GPAs and scholarly distinction. Professor Jayant P. Parekh, Vice President of the AMRF, delivered a special presentation on Armstrong’s life and contributions to the field. Each recipient received a certificate and a $1,250 award.

For Laiba Bilal, this honor marked more than just academic success—it symbolized the culmination of a journey nearly two decades in the making. Her path to a Ph.D. began in 2005 and included multiple pauses due to family commitments, institutional barriers, and cultural resistance. After stepping away from doctoral studies multiple times, she returned in 2021, accepted into Stony Brook’s Ph.D. program with the encouragement of Professors Thomas G. Robertazzi and the late Prof. Matthew D. Eisaman.

Her research flourished under the mentorship of Prof. Anibal Boscoboinik at Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Center for Functional Nanomaterials. With steadfast support from her advisor and Prof. Mónica Bugallo, her department advisor, Bilal thrived—earning not only the Armstrong Award but also:

  • Chair, CFN User Executive Committee, Brookhaven Lab (2024); Vice Chair (2023)

  • People’s Choice Award, Three Minute Thesis Competition, Stony Brook (2024)

  • First Place, ‘Life at CFN’ Image Contest (2024)

  • Center for Inclusive Education Scholar (2024)

  • CETX Clean Energy Technology Transfer Fellowship (2023)

  • AWIS Career Re-entry Scholarship Award (2022)

Laiba credits her mentors, colleagues, professors from previous institutions, and her family for helping her rediscover her passion and purpose. She encourages anyone who has ever had to put their dreams on hold to believe in second chances.

Driscoll Award: Angelo Coonghe

Angelo Coonghe received the 2025 Driscoll Award for his outstanding performance in ESE 350 (Electrical Power Systems), one of the cornerstone courses developed by the late Professor Driscoll. This award honors students who demonstrate academic excellence in the field of electrical energy systems. Coonghe was recognized during the ceremony with a $1,000 check and was introduced to members of the Driscoll family, who continue to support this important legacy.

Artem Ayzen Capstone Award: Elizabeth Rand, Dhanya Moncy, and Arpita Saha

The 2025 Artem Ayzen Capstone Award was presented to Elizabeth Rand, Dhanya Moncy, and Arpita Saha for their capstone project, which stood out for its innovation, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and social impact. Their work captured the creative spirit and service-minded legacy of Artem Ayzen, whose name this award proudly honors.

A faculty committee selected the team based on the project's originality, execution, and relevance to real-world challenges. Special consideration was given to the team's leadership, which reflected the department's commitment to fostering collaborative, forward-thinking engineering solutions.