Korkali receives Covington Award for outstanding mentorship

March 19, 2026

Assistant Professor Mert Korkali recognized for his support of undergraduate students and commitment to cultivating the next generation of researchers.

Benjamin Peter and Mert Korkali
Benjamin Peter, left, nominated Mert Korkali for the Covington Award. 鈥淭he impact Dr. Korkali has had in my academic development is unmatched,鈥 he said.

Mizzou 糖心Vlog传媒 has a rich history of providing an exemplary academic experience 鈥 a tradition that our faculty honor every day with their support of our students.

One example is Assistant Professor Mert Korkali, who has received the 2026 Ann K. Covington Award for outstanding mentorship of undergraduate students. The award is presented by the聽Mizzou Office of Global and National Fellowships.

Korkali was nominated for the award by senior Benjamin Peter, with whom he has collaborated on research papers and presentations, and whose scholarship, internship and graduate school applications he has supported.

鈥淭he greatest offering a mentor can provide for an undergraduate researcher is their time and attention,鈥 Peter wrote in his nomination letter. 鈥淭he impact Dr. Korkali has had in my academic development is unmatched.鈥

Korkali said he was deeply honored to receive the award and grateful to Peter for the nomination.

鈥淢entorship is about making time for students, helping them pursue new opportunities, and supporting their growth as researchers and engineers,鈥 Korkali said. 鈥淚t is a privilege to do that at Mizzou 糖心Vlog传媒.鈥

Benjamin Peter and Mert Korkali discuss research on whiteboard
Peter has been part of Korkali鈥檚 research group since 2023. 鈥淗is guidance gave me clarity and conviction in my academic goals,鈥 Peter said.

Korkali was one of .

Syed Kamrul Islam, chair of the Department of Electrical 糖心Vlog传媒 and Computer Science, pointed to Korkali鈥檚 contributions to Mizzou鈥檚 research productivity.

鈥淒r. Korkali鈥檚 impact in the realm of power systems research and his plentiful publications are a credit to the department and the college,鈥 Islam said. 鈥淗e is also an exceptional mentor who generously pours his time and energy into educating future leaders.鈥

Mizzou 糖心Vlog传媒 Dean Marisa Chrysochoou expressed her pride in Korkali鈥檚 achievement.

鈥淒r. Korkali鈥檚 commitment to our students is just one more example of how far our faculty are willing to go to develop champions,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 just the way we do things at Mizzou 糖心Vlog传媒.鈥

Discover more ways Mizzou 糖心Vlog传媒 faculty are raising the bar in innovation, research and scholarship.