Since 1963, the University of Maine Alumni Association has presented the Distinguished Maine Professor honor to a University of Maine faculty member who exemplifies the highest standards of teaching, research, and public service. Widely regarded by faculty as the University’s most prestigious academic award, it recognizes individuals whose careers have made a profound and lasting impact on the institution, their disciplines, and the broader community.
The 2026 recipient of the Distinguished Maine Professor Awards is Dr. Mohamad Musavi, an internationally recognized scholar, educator, and academic leader whose distinguished career at the University of Maine spans more than 40 years of sustained excellence in teaching, research, and service. 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. His leadership has helped position UMaine as a hub for innovation in emerging technological fields.
His scholarly work encompasses artificial intelligence, neural networks, smart grid and power systems, robotics, computer vision, and STEM education. Professor Musavi has served as principal or co-principal investigator on more than 50 externally funded research projects, securing nearly $13 million in support from organizations including the National Science Foundation, NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and industry partners. His research productivity and influence are reflected in an extensive publication record with more than 2,600 citations and an h-index of 22.
Equally distinguished as an educator and mentor, Professor Musavi has developed numerous undergraduate and graduate courses and founded multiple educational and research laboratories that provide students with hands-on learning experiences. His commitment to inclusive and innovative STEM education is exemplified by a nationally recognized, NSF-funded pathway program that has been successfully replicated 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, 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.