Interim Dean of the Michigan State University College of Engineering and MSU Research Foundation Professor, John Papapolymerou, received the prestigious Rudolf Henning Distinguished Mentoring Award at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Wireless and Microwave Technology Conference (WAMICON).
The national award was presented at the 2025 IEEE WAMICON in Cocoa Beach, Florida, on April 15. It is named for Rudolf "Rudy" Henning who served professional communities with distinction and made important, positive impacts on the lives of many during his decades of service.
Considered one of IEEE’s most esteemed recognitions, the award honors individuals for their exemplary encouragement of students and mentoring young engineers to advance careers in the areas of RF/microwave and/or wireless engineering. Selection criteria include leadership, innovation, dedication, distinguished service, and breadth of participation.
“I am humbled by this recognition and honored to be a part of the community of researchers, educators and authors who are advancing our discipline through excellence in teaching, mentoring, and service,” Papapolymerou said. “Working with students has been the highlight of my career.”
Papapolymerou became the MSU College of Engineering interim dean on Oct. 1, 2024. He is an MSU Research Foundation Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the director of the MSU Space Electronics Initiative.
An IEEE fellow, Papapolymerou’s research interests include radio frequency/microwave/mm-wave/terahertz circuits, antennas and packaging for wireless communication systems, sensors and radars. He served as editor-in-chief for the scientific journal IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters from 2012-15.
“The Henning Mentoring Award is fitting recognition for the significant contributions John has made to the microwave community through his outstanding mentoring,” said Thomas Weller, chair of IEEE WAMICON Awards Committee. “His passion for this important service is inspiring and sets a high bar for others across all of the IEEE.”
A number of Papapolymerou’s former students provided letters of support for his award nomination, including Michael Craton (’21), who currently serves as a member of the technical staff at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory.
“He went out of his way to find opportunities for us to be successful in furthering our individual career goals while pushing us to grow beyond our skillset and ambition,” said Craton. “Dr. Papapolymerou is an example of how excellent mentorship can consistently grow students into successful and impactful contributors in their careers in microwave and wireless engineering.”
Papapolymerou has supervised 32 doctoral students to graduation and has advised more than 50 postdoctoral fellows, as well as graduate and undergraduate students throughout his career.
He has authored or co-authored over 450 publications in peer-reviewed journals and conferences and holds six U.S. patents.
Papapolymerou is also the cofounder of two startups in the RF electronics and flexible antennas areas. His research has been supported by federal sponsors as well as industry, and he has been the recipient of multiple awards over the years.
He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan and his bachelor’s degree from the National Technical University of Athens, in Greece.
Written by Kelley Monterusso
MSU College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page