Esteemed Research Professors

The designation of Esteemed Research Professor honors senior faculty members who have gained international acclaim for their groundbreaking body of work and its transformative influence on their area of expertise. This professorship is conferred upon individuals operating at the pinnacle of their discipline, acknowledged as outstanding leaders in their respective fields.

Sonia Altizer, the Martha Odum Distinguished Professor at the Odum School of Ecology, stands as a prominent figure in the realm of infectious disease ecology. Her academic inquiries investigate how host behavior, environmental transformations, and migration trends affect the dynamics of pathogens within wildlife populations. She is particularly renowned for her trailblazing studies on monarch butterflies, illustrating how extensive migrations reduce infection risks through processes of migratory escape and culling, thereby redefining ecological insights surrounding host-pathogen interactions. Altizer’s multi-disciplinary strategy amalgamates field research, citizen science, and mathematical modeling, elucidating how climate shifts, resource availability, and habitat fragmentation impact disease dissemination. With over 120 publications that have undergone peer review, featured in leading scientific periodicals such as Science and Nature, her work has amassed over 22,000 citations. Since 2002, she has procured funding for her investigations, totaling more than $7 million in grants. As a Fellow of both the Ecological Society of America and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Altizer has additionally acted as interim dean and spearheads significant outreach through Project Monarch Health, involving volunteers in extensive disease monitoring initiatives.

Luis Correa-Díaz, a professor of Spanish within the Franklin College Department of Romance Languages, is an innovative scholar and poet whose contributions have significantly altered Latin American literary studies, digital humanities, and cultural theory. His scholarly pursuits connect classical and modern literature, providing groundbreaking insights into digital poetics and the intersection of artificial intelligence with literary analysis. His monograph “Novissima Verba” and co-edited collection “Latin America Digital Poetics” examine the ways digital innovations and artificial intelligence are redefining literary creation and interpretation. Elected to the Academia Chilena de la Lengua and Spain’s Real Academia de Córdoba, Correa-Díaz is admired worldwide for his expertise on Cervantes, Ercilla, Latin American poetry, and the impact of literature on human rights discussions. He has penned over 20 poetry collections, 12 scholarly books, and numerous journal articles, shaping the understanding of successive generations of students and academics globally. His interdisciplinary and multilingual research continues to broaden the scope of literary studies in our digital era.

Natarajan Kannan, a professor affiliated with the Institute of Bioinformatics and the Franklin College Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, excels in molecular evolution, computational biology, and protein bioinformatics. His research has redefined the comprehension of how intricate signaling systems develop at a molecular scale. By integrating computational techniques with experimental methodologies, he has charted the origins and progression of biomedically significant signaling proteins such as protein kinases and glycosyltransferases, unveiling new regulatory frameworks and therapeutic possibilities. Kannan is a Georgia Cancer Coalition Scholar, and his work has resulted in over 100 peer-reviewed articles, published in elite scientific journals like Nature Communications, PNAS, and Science Signaling, garnering more than 8,000 citations. His $10 million in research investments incorporates substantial grants from NIH, NSF, and the American Cancer Society. He has also created open-source bioinformatics resources commonly employed by the academic community. Kannan’s interdisciplinary endeavors persist in shaping the biomedical sciences while advancing innovations in computational and AI/ML technologies.

Barbara McCaskill, a professor in the Franklin College Department of English and associate academic director of the Willson Center for Humanities and Arts, is a preeminent scholar of African American literature whose scholarship has redefined perceptions of Black literary heritage and public humanities. Her research has been crucial in rediscovering the lives and writings of historic Black figures, notably William and Ellen Craft, whose audacious flight from slavery in Georgia she explored in her work “Love, Liberation, and Escaping Slavery” and her critical edition of “Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom.” McCaskill has obtained over $2 million in external funding, co-leads the Mellon Foundation-supported initiative “Culture and Community at the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District,” and has developed public-facing resources like the award-winning Civil Rights Digital Library. Her work has gained visibility in influential journals, podcasts, and national media. Through her scholarly pursuits and public outreach, she continues to shed light on African American literary and historical legacies.

Christine Szymanski, a scholar at the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center and the Franklin College Department of Microbiology, is a preeminent authority in microbial glycobiology. Her investigations have revolutionized the comprehension of how bacterial glycosylation affects microbial pathogenesis, interactions with hosts, and the development of vaccines. She was the pioneering researcher to showcase that bacteria can alter proteins with N-linked glycans, a revelation that transformed the discipline of bacterial glycobiology and laid the groundwork for innovative therapeutic methodologies. Szymanski has penned 130 peer-reviewed articles, holds 13 patents, and has garnered or aided in obtaining tens of millions of dollars in research financial support from NIH, NSF, and corporate partnerships. Her translational research has sparked two biotech spin-offs concentrating on glycoconjugate vaccine creation, drawing worldwide attention to combatting diarrheal illnesses and antimicrobial resistance. As a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and the National Academy of Inventors, Szymanski’s trailblazing research persists in promoting vaccine advancements and understanding microbial pathogenesis.

---

Creative Research Medals

The university created the Creative Research Medals in 1980 to honor a unique and exceptional research or creative endeavor executed by a mid-career faculty member, demonstrating extraordinary influence and relevance to the field of study.

Elizabeth Brisbois, associate professor and Distinguished Faculty Fellow in the College of Engineering, is being honored for her groundbreaking contribution to light-activated nitric oxide (NO) release technology for medical applications. Her research team has devised a wearable fiber optic apparatus that employs photoactive NO donor chemistry to provide regulated antimicrobial NO therapy. This advancement holds remarkable promise in preventing infections in catheters and wound treatments, addressing a significant clinical issue in health care by minimizing complications and enhancing patient results. Her findings, which appeared on the cover of the Journal of Controlled Release, facilitated a $2 million NIH R01 grant for further development and preclinical trials. Brisbois has acquired over $12 million in research funding, holds more than 20 patents either granted or pending, and co-founded Nytricx Inc. to commercialize biomedical innovations. As a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors, she has also received various national accolades for her contributions to biomaterials research and translational medicine.

Krista Capps, associate professor at the Odum School of Ecology and the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, has spearheaded innovative research on global carbon cycling within river systems. In a significant study featured in Science, Capps and her associates conducted an experiment involving 514 streams across six continents to evaluate the decomposition of organic matter. The research team employed a standardized assay to measure microbial activity, creating the first global-scale model of riverine carbon degradation while identifying crucial environmental factors. This study revealed that accelerated decomposition rates linked to areas heavily influenced by human activities, such as urban development and farming, could potentially disrupt aquatic food webs and increase carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Capps and her co-authors utilized machine learning techniques to create a model that accounts for 70% of the variation in past decomposition rates while also developing a predictive tool for environmental forecasting. A recipient of the NSF CAREER Award, she is dedicated to advancing freshwater ecology with impactful research on ecosystem resilience.

Justin Lavner, professor in the Franklin College Department of Psychology, conducted a pivotal randomized controlled trial examining the effects of a responsive parenting initiative on health outcomes for first-time Black mothers and their infants. The research, carried out in partnership with UGA’s Center for Family Research and Augusta University Medical Center, investigated how organized home visits during the early postpartum time could affect infant sleep, maternal wellness, and child health. Lavner’s results, featured in JAMA Network Open and other prestigious journals, indicated that the intervention enhanced infants’ nighttime sleep by 40 minutes and increased 24-hour sleep duration by 73 minutes — crucial advancements given persistent sleep disparities. Further investigations connected the intervention to more favorable infant weight patterns, improved maternal sleep, and decreased maternal depressive symptoms. Lavner has played a role in securing over $12 million in grant funding and has published nearly 100 peer-reviewed studies. His contributions underscore the necessity of culturally tailored parenting programs in addressing health disparities and enhancing family wellness.

Rumya Putcha, associate professor at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music and the Institute for Women’s and Gender Studies, investigates the cultural dynamics of Indian dance within global contexts. Her publication, “The Dancer’s Voice: Performance and Womanhood in Transnational India” (Duke University Press, 2023), analyzes how South Indian classical

Dance articulates stories surrounding caste, race, and migration. By merging ethnographic inquiry with historical scrutiny, Putcha reveals how the representation of the Indian dancing female not only upholds social hierarchies but also acts as a domain of defiance. This publication has garnered wide praise for its interdisciplinary perspective, intersecting the fields of ethnomusicology, performance studies, and postcolonial thought. Honored with the 2024 de la Torre Bueno First Book Award from the Dance Studies Association, along with the 2025 Bernard S. Cohn First Book Award from the Association for Asian Studies, it has earned favorable critiques in eminent academic journals. Through her research, Putcha provides a thought-provoking reassessment of the ways in which performers foster a sense of belonging in India and its diasporas.

Timothy Yang, an associate professor in the Franklin College Department of History, investigates the convergence of commerce, medicine, and empire in the development of contemporary East Asia and Japan. His publication, “A Medicated Empire: The Pharmaceutical Industry and Modern Japan” (Cornell University Press, 2021), serves as a micro-history detailing how the multinational corporation Hoshi Pharmaceuticals expanded in tandem with Japan’s imperial aspirations, leveraging state affiliations to dominate colonial markets. Via comprehensive archival analysis, Yang unveils the ways the enterprise exploited imperial regulations, marketing pharmaceuticals in colonies while conforming to domestic narcotic prohibitions, thus influencing both commercial and medical spheres across the globe. Hailed for its innovative methodology, the book received the Hagley Book Prize for the best work in business history and has been positively critiqued in major academic journals. Yang’s scholarship connects the history of science, economic history, and colonial studies. As the director of UGA’s Center for Asian Studies, he persistently promotes cross-disciplinary research throughout Asia and beyond.

---

Creative Research Awards

These honors acknowledge established scholars whose comprehensive body of research has profoundly influenced their field and solidified their international standing as eminent leaders in their domain.

Lamar Dodd Creative Research Award: Scott Merkle, a professor of forest biology in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, is a prominent figure in the field of forest tree biotechnology. Much of his research has focused on the conservation and revitalization of the American chestnut, a once-prevalent species that was nearly wiped out by chestnut blight. His laboratory was the first to establish a somatic embryogenesis technique for this species, facilitating large-scale propagation and genetic modification efforts aimed at creating blight-resistant trees. His initiatives have bolstered larger restoration programs, collaborating with The American Chestnut Foundation and the Forest Health Initiative. Merkle has employed similar biotechnological methods on other endangered species, such as hemlocks and ash trees, and has contributed to phytoremediation studies through the use of genetically modified trees to remediate polluted soils. His comprehensive research, encompassing in vitro propagation, conservation, and genetic engineering, continues to impact the fields of forestry and environmental restoration.

Albert Christ-Janer Creative Research Award: Rielle Navitski, an associate professor in the Franklin College Department of Theatre and Film Studies, is a notable academic in Latin American cinema and media studies. Her inquiries delve into the overlaps of film and transnational exchanges, contesting traditional narratives within film history. She has authored two significant monographs: “Public Spectacles of Violence,” which studies sensational cinema and journalism in early 20th-century Mexico and Brazil, and “Transatlantic Cinephilia,” which examines film culture networks between Latin America and France during the mid-20th century. Navitski’s investigations, grounded in thorough archival exploration across various nations, have transformed perceptions of Latin American cinema’s significance in global media narratives. She has also collaborated on an open-access textbook regarding Latinx media and co-edited an anthology titled “Cosmopolitan Film Cultures in Latin America, 1896-1960.” Acknowledged with esteemed fellowships and honors, Navitski’s contributions continue to push forward the domains of film history, cultural studies, and Latin American studies, leaving a lasting impression on the discipline.

Lamar Dodd Creative Research Award: Pejman Rohani, Regents’ Professor and UGA Athletic Association Professor in Ecology and Infectious Diseases at the Odum School of Ecology and College of Veterinary Medicine, investigates the ecology of infectious diseases. Since his arrival at UGA in 2015, he has built a globally recognized portfolio of work that focuses on population dynamics, host-pathogen interactions, and mathematical modeling of diseases. His research has yielded crucial insights into disease transmission, vaccination methodologies, and epidemic prediction, thus shaping international public health policies. Rohani holds the position of deputy director at the Center for Influenza Disease and Emergence Research (CIDER), a National Institutes of Health-supported initiative aimed at enhancing the understanding of influenza and emerging pathogens. He has published over 160 peer-reviewed articles and co-authored a widely referenced book on infectious disease modeling.

A Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Ecological Society of America, Rohani’s knowledge has been requested by the World Health Organization and the Institute of Medicine. 

Lamar Dodd Creative Research Award: WenZhan Song, the Georgia Power Mickey A. Brown Professor in the College of Engineering, stands out as a preeminent investigator in sensor networks, cyber-physical systems, and safety. His studies amalgamate artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) to bolster infrastructure security, energy sustainability, and health care advancements. He has been at the forefront of transformative IoT developments that facilitate real-time, unobtrusive health and activity tracking for individuals, animals, machinery, and systems. His inquiries into cyber-physical safety have resulted in sophisticated frameworks that integrate cyber and physical indicators to identify and counteract hazards to smart grids and industrial infrastructures. Furthermore, he has engineered zero-trust IoT data frameworks ensuring secure, dependable, and privacy-respecting data storage and exchange. Many of his intelligent IoT solutions have found applications in practical environments. As the director of UGA’s Center for Cyber-Physical Systems, he spearheads interdisciplinary projects that foster innovation and collaborations with industries. His contributions have secured him several honors, including the IEEE Mark Weiser Award.

William A. Owens Creative Research Award: Gregory Strauss, Franklin Professor of Psychology in the Franklin College Department of Psychology, is a globally acknowledged authority in schizophrenia research, focusing on the examination of negative symptoms — deficiencies in motivation, pleasure, and social interaction that greatly affect quality of life. His research has transformed the understanding, evaluation, and treatment of these symptoms, establishing him as a significant figure in the domain. Strauss leads the Clinical Affective Neuroscience (CAN) Laboratory and the Georgia Psychiatric Risk Evaluation Program (G-PREP), where his team creates innovative assessment tools and specialized interventions for individuals at risk of psychotic disorders. His findings have been cited over 13,000 times, and he has attracted more than $85 million in grant funding. With over 230 publications, numerous invited presentations, and prestigious recognitions — including the Rising Star Award from the Schizophrenia International Research Society — Strauss continues to propel the comprehension and management of schizophrenia’s most difficult symptoms.

---

Early Career Scholar Awards

Instituted by the UGA Research Foundation, these accolades acknowledge junior faculty whose research, creative, and academic accomplishments suggest a pathway towards an outstanding, sustained research trajectory and an imminent ascent to global recognition in their field.

Charles B. Knapp ECS Award: Yilang Peng, assistant professor in the financial planning, housing, and consumer economics department at the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, is an emerging authority in computational social science, exploring how digital technologies influence consumer behavior, strategic communication, and the dissemination of misinformation. His research combines computer vision, machine learning, and social science methods to examine visual misinformation and its effects on public perception. His work has been published in prestigious journals such as the Journal of Communication, Political Communication, and New Media & Society, earning over 820 citations and several awards from both the International and National Communication Associations. Peng co-founded the Computational Multimodal Communication Lab, furthering interdisciplinary inquiry into digital media. With a $500,000 grant, he investigates how visual misinformation shapes perceptions of credibility, informing strategies for combating disinformation. His research has been featured in Forbes, The Washington Post, and on ABC, underscoring its relevance in the real world. As his research continues to grow, Peng is well-positioned to influence the future of computational media analysis and studies in digital communication.

Fred C. Davison ECS Award: Kelly Hines, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at Franklin College, is pushing forward the field of bioanalytical chemistry through cutting-edge applications of mass spectrometry. Her research combines ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) with multi-omics methodologies to explore antibiotic resistance at the molecular level. By devising high-throughput analytical techniques, Hines is revealing how bacterial lipid composition affects resistance mechanisms, providing new insights for diagnostics and therapeutics. Her work has gained national acclaim, including the American Society for Mass Spectrometry Research Award and recognition as a Rising Star in Measurement Science by the American Chemical Society. She has authored over 35 peer-reviewed articles, obtained a $2.3 million NIH R01 grant, and participated as a co-investigator in numerous projects. With ongoing investigations into host-pathogen lipid interactions and translational applications in clinical microbiology, Hines is set to make significant contributions to analytical chemistry and infectious disease studies.

Fred C. Davison ECS Award: Matthew Bilskie, assistant professor within the College of Engineering, is enhancing the domain of coastal resilience through pioneering modeling of storm surges, flood hazards, and nature-based infrastructure. As the leader of the college’s Coastal Ocean Analysis and Simulation Team and an affiliate of the Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, he crafts high-resolution hydrodynamic models that guide risk mitigation strategies for at-risk coastal populations. Bilskie’s investigations merge engineering, computer science, and natural resource economics, yielding essential insights into how tidal movements, sea-level elevation, and climate change affect coastal inundation. His partnerships with the U.S. Marine Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have resulted in practical applications, including strategies for flood management at military sites. With over $32 million in research support, 53 peer-reviewed articles, and leadership in cross-disciplinary resilience initiatives, Bilskie stands at the leading edge of developing coastal adaptation approaches. His efforts continue to impact both policies and engineering solutions for climate resilience.

Fred C. Davison ECS Award: Christopher Cleveland, assistant professor in the population health department of the College of Veterinary Medicine, is promoting wildlife disease investigation via a One Health framework that consolidates ecology, epidemiology, and parasitology. His research emphasizes the transmission of zoonotic parasites, vectors, and the monitoring of pathogens in wildlife. His findings have provided vital insights into how environmental and wildlife dynamics contribute to the endurance of parasitic diseases, thereby influencing public health and conservation approaches. Since 2020, Cleveland has published 34 peer-reviewed articles, with 14 as the first or corresponding author, and has secured over $1.4 million in research grants as the principal investigator. He has guided numerous graduate, undergraduate, and veterinary students, enhancing workforce development in wildlife health. As a leading figure in his discipline, he has occupied presidential positions in professional organizations, organized international research workshops, and serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Wildlife Diseases, positioning him for ongoing influence in wildlife disease ecology and global health.

Fred C. Davison ECS Award: Chester Joyner, assistant professor in the infectious diseases department of the College of Veterinary Medicine, integrates molecular biology, immunology, and vaccine advancement to create new therapies necessary for treating and preventing malaria. His research tackles significant challenges in the field by investigating Plasmodium vivax dormancy in the liver, analyzing why malaria infections lack long-lasting immune responses, and leading preclinical evaluations of a novel vaccine strategy that combats the parasite’s capability to inhibit the development of enduring immunity. Through these inquiries, his lab has addressed one of malaria’s most considerable challenges: the difficulty of genetically manipulating P. vivax in laboratory settings, establishing innovative techniques to introduce genetic alterations into P. vivax, thus opening new avenues for biology and vaccinology. Joyner has attracted over $7.3 million in research funding, authored 30 peer-reviewed publications, and been invited to present his research at prominent international conferences. His contributions are shaping the future of malaria treatment and eradication techniques.

Michael F. Adams ECS Award: Joseph Kellner, assistant professor in the Department of History at Franklin College, is a specialist in the history of the Soviet Union whose research explores the convergence of ideology, belief, and historical transformation. His anticipated publication, “The Spirit of Socialism: Culture and Belief at the Soviet Collapse” (Cornell University Press, June 2025), presents a groundbreaking examination of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, centering on an emergence of novel and radical worldviews that characterized the cultural landscape of that era. Drawing from extensive oral history interviews, the book reevaluates late Soviet culture and the Soviet legacy within post-Soviet Russia. Kellner also co-edits “Red Against Empire: Bolshevik Historians and the Anti-colonial Critique” (University of Toronto Press, expected 2026), which recovers and interprets early Soviet anti-colonial scholarship. As a recipient of the Willson Center Research Fellowship and the Virginia Mary Macagnoni Prize for Innovative Research, Kellner is making substantial contributions to scholarly discussions on Soviet history, cultural identity, and intellectual history.

---

International Collaborative Research Award

The Radioactive Wildlife Team, an internationalof Inventors, Orlando is a prominent contributor to the evolution of biotechnological advancements, enhancing various sectors through his entrepreneurial endeavors.

Kelly Dawe, Distinguished Research Professor and UGA Athletic Association Professor in the Franklin College departments of plant biology and genetics, has transformed maize breeding utilizing a groundbreaking haploid induction system. His patented method facilitates the effective generation of haploid maize plants — plants possessing only one set of chromosomes instead of the standard two — enabling breeders to create pure, genetically stable crop lines in half the time of conventional approaches. This breakthrough significantly increases the accuracy and efficiency of plant breeding, with substantial implications for global agricultural practices. An international agricultural enterprise has licensed Dawe’s technology for global application, incorporating it into high-efficiency crop enhancement initiatives. In partnership with this corporation, Dawe and the UGA Research Foundation have submitted 24 utility patent applications worldwide, with one granted thus far. Since the exclusive licensing agreement was formalized in 2021, the technology has yielded nearly $1.5 million in licensing income. Dawe’s research exemplifies the revolutionary effect of molecular genetics on commercial agriculture and food safety.

---

Regents’ Entrepreneurs

Hitesh Handa, associate professor and Distinguished Faculty Fellow in the College of Engineering, is pioneering in the field of biomedical device coatings, creating nitric oxide (NO)-infused surfaces that combat infection and thrombosis. His undertakings have culminated in eight granted patents and 26 applications awaiting approval, with technologies exclusively licensed to Nytricx Inc., a company he co-established. Nytricx is making strides in NO-releasing medical devices, such as vascular and urinary catheters and wound coverings. These innovations tackle hospital-acquired infections and device failures, enhancing patient treatment and lowering healthcare expenses. In the preceding two years, his projects have secured over $5 million in funding to expedite commercialization. As a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors, Handa plays an instrumental role in Georgia’s expanding biomedical sector, cultivating industry collaborations, mentoring faculty entrepreneurs, and merging academic research with clinical practices.

Ron Orlando, professor at the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center and within the Franklin College departments of biochemistry, molecular biology, and chemistry, has cultivated an impressive career translating glycobiology and proteomics research into market-ready innovations. He has established three companies — BioInquire, GlycoScientific, and PhotoChem/GenNext Technologies — all founded on technologies developed at UGA, amassing over $17 million in funding to fuel their advancement. His company BioInquire created ProteoIQ, a leading software solution for proteomics data analysis, which was subsequently acquired by NuSep for $3.6 million, aiding in relocating the company’s North American headquarters to Athens. GlycoScientific, focused on developing novel research reagents, has launched more than 100 products, while PhotoChem/GenNext has introduced two biopharmaceutical analytical tools. As a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors, Orlando is a significant player in the progression of biotechnological advancements, enhancing multiple fields through his entrepreneurial initiatives.

of Innovators, Orlando persists in linking scholarly investigation and industry, crafting innovations that propel applications of glycoscience and biopharmaceutical analytics.

---

Award for Research Communications

Jenna Jambeck, Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering at the Georgia Athletic Association within the College of Engineering, is an internationally acclaimed researcher and communicator focusing on plastic pollution and material management. Her exceptional ability to merge scientific precision with impactful communication has enhanced public awareness and motivated policy initiatives surrounding environmental sustainability globally. Jambeck’s pioneering research, notably her 2015 finding that 8 million metric tons of plastic debris enter the planet’s oceans each year, has garnered widespread attention from prominent media outlets such as NPR, BBC, The New York Times and National Geographic. Her scholarly articles have been cited more than 37,000 times, placing them among the top works in their respective fields, while her initiatives have played a key role in United Nations treaty discussions, global policy forums, and the establishment of circular economy models via her Circularity Assessment Protocol. As the innovator behind the Marine Debris Tracker application, Jambeck has propelled worldwide citizen science projects, leading to substantial data gathering across 100 nations. In 2022, she earned a prestigious “Genius Grant” from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and she was honored as the 2024 SEC Professor of the Year.

---

Awards for Research Excellence – Non-Tenure Track Faculty

Scott Pippin, senior public service associate at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, is a prominent figure in applied research regarding community resilience, environmental policy, and infrastructure planning. He established the Defense Community Resilience Program, a multidisciplinary effort that fortifies military bases and neighboring communities via data-informed planning and policy methods. His endeavors have garnered over $7.6 million in funded projects and have been pivotal in crafting two 10-year Intergovernmental Support Agreements with the U.S. Army, amounting to over $100 million in approved funding. Pippin’s applied research has shaped policies surrounding transportation systems, wastewater infrastructure, and flood resilience, affecting federal and state legislative processes. His peer-reviewed manuscripts, law review articles, and national presentations have received accolades from the National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. Department of Defense. Awarded the Walter Barnard Hill Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service and Outreach, Pippin remains dedicated to implementing impactful solutions for resilient communities.

Jennifer Thompson, associate research scientist in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, is a key figure in studying the social sustainability of food and agricultural systems. Her interdisciplinary and community-focused research enhances both understanding and practices on the human aspects of climate-smart agriculture, community food systems, and food systems education. Over her professional journey, Thompson has acquired funding exceeding $105 million for various projects, including $7.5 million allocated for UGA and more than $3 million that directly benefits her laboratory. As the principal social scientist in significant USDA-funded sustainable agricultural initiatives, her dedication to engaging farmers yields novel insights that shape policy and outreach efforts. An internationally respected academic, she has conducted studies in France, Norway, Spain, and throughout the United States, publishing her findings in leading journals. As a research mentor and former president of the Society for the Anthropology of Food and Nutrition, Thompson is shaping the future of scholarship in sustainable agriculture and food systems.

---

Award for Team Impact

Instituted by the UGA Research Foundation, these accolades honor junior faculty whose research, creative endeavors, and academic achievements signify a trajectory toward a remarkable, sustained research career, with an imminent ascent to international prominence in their area of study.

The Biointerface Translation and Engineering Center (BTEC), an interdisciplinary research venture encompassing the College of Engineering, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, stands at the vanguard of transforming biomedical research through advancements in innovative biomaterials for medical devices. Tackling urgent clinical issues such as thrombosis, infection, and antimicrobial resistance, BTEC’s initiatives cover several applications including vascular catheters, wound coverings, implantable sensors, and extracorporeal life-support systems. The team has secured over $12 million in competitive federal research funding, and their collaborative pursuits have led to more than 35 patent applications, numerous impactful publications, and significant mentorship of students across various disciplines. By merging materials science, microbiology, and clinical research, BTEC is pioneering next-generation medical technologies aimed at improving patient outcomes on a global scale.

The article 2025 Research Awards first appeared on UGA Today.