13 CPP Researchers Named among Top 2% of Scientists in their Field
Thirteen Cal Poly Pomona faculty have been recognized on the Stanford University/Elsevier “2026 Top 2% Scientists List,” for their substantial impact in their fields as measured by the influence of the scholarship.
According to the publication, “the study evaluates research impact using career-long and single-year citation data across 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields to ensure fair and comprehensive representation. The selection metric, the composite indicator (c-score) accounts for the number of citations, co-authorship adjustments, and authorship positions, focusing on meaningful impact rather than just productivity.
For 2026, Cal Poly Pomona had 11 faculty members recognized for single-year impact and 8 faculty honored in the career impact category which covers longer-term contributions.
2026 Impact:
Peter Castro, professor emeritus, biological sciences, College of Science
Gabriel Davidov-Pardo, professor of food science, Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture
Frank W. Ewers, professor emeritus, biological sciences, College of Science
Aubrey H. Fine, professor emeritus, education, College of Education and Integrated Studies
Yong Xue Gan, professor of mechanical engineering, College of Engineering
Linchi Kwok, professor and chair, hospitality management, The Collins College of Hospitality Management
Mingheng Li, professor of chemical and materials engineering, College of Engineering
Simeng Li, associate professor of civil engineering, College of Engineering
Belal Hasan (Belal J. Muhialdin), associate professor of nutrition and food science, Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture
Ali Shafiee, associate professor, civil engineering, College of Engineering
Wan Yang, James A. Collins Distinguished Professor, The Collins College of Hospitality Management
Career Impact:
Peter Castro, professor emeritus, biological sciences, College of Science
Frank W. Ewers, professor emeritus, biology, College of Science
Aubrey H. Fine, professor emeritus, education, College of Education and Integrated Studies
Yong Xue Gan, professor of mechanical engineering, College of Engineering
Lloyd L. Lee, former professor of chemical engineering and materials engineering, College of Engineering
Mingheng Li, professor of chemical and materials engineering, College of Engineering
Michael V. Ol, assistant professor of aerospace engineering, College of Engineering
Ali Shafiee, associate professor, civil engineering, College of Engineering
In keeping with the university’s reputation for its wide range of learn-by-doing opportunities, many of the current faculty on this list have active research teams that include undergraduate students.
Ranked the No. 2 Public University in the West by U.S. News, Cal Poly Pomona faculty and programs provide students hands-on learning inside and outside of the classroom, deepening understanding, inspiring curiosity and creativity in finding solutions, and putting classroom knowledge to work addressing real world challenges.