Dr. Mohamad Musavi, Senior Associate Dean and Professor in the Maine College of Engineering and Computing at the University of Maine, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Distinguished Maine Professor award. Presented by the University of Maine Alumni Association since 1963, the honor recognizes a faculty member who exemplifies the highest standards of teaching, research, and public service and is widely regarded as the university’s most prestigious faculty award.
An internationally recognized scholar, educator, and academic leader, Musavi’s career at UMaine spans more than 40 years of sustained excellence. As a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, he has played a transformative role in advancing engineering and computing education while significantly strengthening the university’s research profile at both the state and national levels.
Musavi’s scholarly work spans artificial intelligence, neural networks, smart grid and power systems, robotics, computer vision, and STEM education. He has served as principal or co-principal investigator on more than 50 externally funded research projects, securing nearly $13 million in support from organizations such as the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the U.S. Department of Energy, along with numerous industry partners. His research contributions include an extensive publication record with more than 2,600 citations and an h-index of 22, reflecting the lasting influence of his work.
Equally impactful as an educator and mentor, Musavi has developed numerous undergraduate and graduate courses and founded multiple laboratories that provide hands-on learning opportunities. His commitment to inclusive and innovative STEM education is highlighted by an NSF-funded pathway program that has earned national recognition and replication beyond Maine.
Trish Riley ’73, ’78G is a distinguished alumna of the University of Maine whose career exemplifies extraordinary leadership, public service, and enduring commitment to her alma mater, the State of Maine, and the nation. A two-time UMaine graduate, Trish has devoted more than five decades to advancing equitable, accessible, and effective health policy while consistently giving back to the University that helped shape her path.
Nationally, Trish is best known as the founder and longtime CEO of the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP), which she built into one of the country’s most respected nonpartisan forums for state health policymakers. In Maine, she served in senior leadership roles under five governors, including as Director of the Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance. In that role, she was the principal architect of Dirigo Health Reform, a landmark initiative that expanded access to health insurance and helped inform national health reform, including the Affordable Care Act. Her expertise has been sought at the highest levels of government and policy, reflecting her intellect, integrity, and practical leadership.
Equally significant is Trish’s exceptional service to the University of Maine. From her early involvement as a student leader to decades of alumni engagement, she has chaired the Alumni Association, the Board of Visitors, served on the UMaine Foundation Board, and currently serves as Chair of the University of Maine System Board of Trustees. Her leadership has guided the System through periods of challenge and opportunity, strengthening access, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
Trish Riley’s career embodies the highest ideals of the Alumni Career Award—professional distinction, innovation, and a lifelong commitment to service. She represents the very best of the University of Maine.
A formal presentation of these honors will be made at the University of Maine Alumni Association’s annual Alumni Achievement Awards event, to be held on the evening of Friday, May 1, 2026, at the Collins Center for the Arts.