Brian Roth

Walla Walla University

Dean of Engineering (2018-2022)

• Accomplishments (in collaboration with the faculty):
  • Achieved 98% job placement rate, among the highest in the nation
  • Quadrupled alumni support for student scholarships
  • Established the university's first engineering graduate program
  • Fundraised and constructed a suite of bioengineering labs

​​Professor (2008-2022)

• Led a team to develop and launch the Center for Humanitarian Engagement
• Developed, launched, and directed the Global Humanitarian Engineering Emphasis
• Founded the Flight Lab – the university’s first engineering research group

Faculty Advisor, Engineers Without Border (2011-2022)

• Grew student chapter membership from 7 to 70
• Partnered with students and developing communities to complete the following international projects:
  • Designed and constructed a set of classrooms in Nueva Suyapa, Honduras (2012)
  • Designed and constructed a community-wide water system in Pucutuni, Peru (2014)
  • Designed and constructed a community-wide water system in Pantineque, Peru (2015)
  • Designed and constructed a 76-panel distributed solar system in Japura, Peru (2017)
  • Designed and constructed a community-wide solar system in Labramani, Peru (2018)

The Boeing Company

Research Contractor (2006-2008)

• Developed new methods for distributed multidisciplinary design optimization
• Explored aircraft sizing optimization for the 787 family of aircraft

Summer Intern (2001)

• Led a production cost improvement project on the Boeing 747 new interior

2025   Service Award, Embry-Riddle College of Engineering

2024   Teacher of the Year, Embry-Riddle College of Engineering

2019   Stephen and Margaret Tan Engineering and C.S. Excellence in Teaching Award

2013   C. Michael and DeLona Lang Bell Outstanding Teaching Award

2013   National Academic Advising Association Outstanding Advising Award

2012   Walla Walla University Excellence in Advising Award

2008   Nomination for Ballhaus Prize for Best Ph.D. Thesis – Stanford University

2003   Graduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation

Intro to Computer Aided Drafting

Intro to Engineering

Statics

Dynamics

Solid Mechanics

Engineering Economy

Fluid Mechanics

Aerodynamics

Thermodynamics

Thermal Systems

Structural Analysis

Linear Network Analysis / Dynamic Systems

Aircraft Design

Optimization

Journal Publications

Martin, K, Rea, A., Bulghare, A., Roth, B., “How Can AI Help Design? Lessons Learned from Engineering Students and Faculty”, Clive L. Dym Mudd Design Workshop 2025, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, May 29-31, 2025. (Accepted for publication in the International Journal of Engineering Education.)

Finigian, M., Kavounas, P., Ho, I., Smith, C., Witusik, A., Hopwood, A., Avent, C., Ragasa, B., Roth, B., “Design and Flight Test of a Tube-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle”, Aerospace, 2024, 11, 133. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11020133

Jensen, M., Hopps, E., Roth, B., “Assessing the Impact of Off-grid Solar Electrification in Rural Peru: Replicability, Sustainability, and Socioeconomics,” International Journal for Service Learning in Engineering, Vol 14, No 3, Fall 2019.

Roth, B., Nelson, C., “Development of the Global Humanitarian Engineering Emphasis at Walla Walla University,” International Journal for Service Learning in Engineering, Special Edition, pgs. 354-366, Fall 2014.            

Crossley, W., Skillen, M., Frommer, J., Roth, B., “Morphing Aircraft Sizing Using Design Optimization,” AIAA Journal of Aircraft, March-April, 2011.

Conference Papers

Roth, B. “Improving Student Learning in a Capstone Design Course Using Specifications Grading”, American Society for Engineering Education, Annual Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, June 22-25, 2025. (Accepted for publication.)

Roth, B. “An Experiential Team Formation Process That Leverages Student and Instructor Insights”, American Society for Engineering Education, Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon, June 23-26, 2024.

Adams, J., Rea, A., Roth, B., et. al., “Small Shifts: New Methods for Improving Communication Experiences...”, American Society for Engineering Education, Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon, June 23-26, 2024.

Roth, B., Kroo, I., “Enhanced Collaborative Optimization: A Decomposition-Based Method for Multidisciplinary Design,” Proceedings of the ASME 2008 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, DETC 2008-50038.

Roth, B., Kroo, I., “Enhanced Collaborative Optimization: Application to an Analytic Test Problem and Aircraft Design,” 12^th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, Victoria, BC, 2008, AIAA paper 2008-5841.

Allison, J., Roth, B., Kokkolaras, M., Kroo, I., Papalambros, P., “Aircraft Family Design Using Decomposition-Based Methods,” 11^th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, Portsmouth, VA, 2006, AIAA paper 2006-6950.

Roth, B., Crossley, W., “Application of Optimization Techniques in the Conceptual Design of Morphing Aircraft,” AIAA 3^rd Annual Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Forum, Denver, CO, 2003, AIAA paper 2003-6733.

Roth, B., Peters, C., Crossley, W., “Aircraft Sizing with Morphing as an Independent Variable: Motivation, Strategies, and Investigations,” AIAA’s Aircraft Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) 2002 Technical Forum, Los Angeles, CA, 2002, AIAA paper 2002-5840.

Peters, C., Roth, B., Crossley, W., Weisshar, T., “Use of Design Methods to Generate and Develop Missions for Morphing Aircraft,” 9^th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, Atlanta, GA, 2002, AIAA paper 2002-5468.