Dr. Kristina Ropella, chair of the biomedical engineering department in Marquette's College of Engineering, has been named the Wisconsin Professor of the Year as part of the U.S. Professors of the Year program. The awards recognize professors for their influence on teaching and their outstanding commitment to teaching undergraduate students.

This is the second consecutive honor for a Marquette professor. Last year, Dr. Don Neumann, professor of physical therapy at Marquette, was named the Wisconsin professor of the year.

"I am ecstatic to receive this honor," Ropella said in a release. "I am grateful to have touched the lives of many students who have gone forward to lead companies, treat patients, innovate new medical technologies, influence government funding, communicate discoveries to the public, teach the next generation of engineers and serve their communities."

Ropella has been a professor in the Marquette College of Engineering for 17 years and chair of the biomedical department since 2004. Ropella estimates that in her time at Marquette, she has taught nearly 1,000 students.