Nandika D'Souza, Regents Professor of mechanical and energy engineering and associate dean of undergraduate studies in UNT's College of Engineering, has been named the 2015 Society of Women Engineers Distinguished Engineering Educator.

The award is presented to educators who make significant contributions to the engineering field.

D'Souza has worked with students in the areas of failure analysis, viscoelasticity and material reliability. She is a fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers for her contributions to the field of polymers, composites, fibers, films and coatings.

Her teaching and research focuses on mechanics and materials and how best to incorporate them reliably in design.

She has recently focused on microelectronic packaging, biomedical surgical mesh, the creation of plant-based building materials and carbon fiber.