Researchers in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences received certificates, plaques and accolades during this year’s Research Awards of Excellence event.
The third annual event, held May 17 at the University Farm Pavilion, recognized professors, researchers and faculty within CAES and Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T for their work between July 2022 and June 2023.
Gregory Goins, Ph.D., CAES associate dean of agricultural research, said the ceremony was “a culmination of our research, our publishing of papers, and a recognition of those who achieved these at the highest level in terms of research dollar and high-end research publication.”
“The purpose of the awards program is not only to recognize research productivity, but also recognize our researchers for their hard work in hopes of encouraging collaborations, increasing grant size, and helping move the college towards R1 status. We applaud each of you for contributing to these efforts,” Goins said.
Board of Governors award winner Devona Dixon, Ph.D., received special recognition for her outstanding teaching.
“Today is all about celebrating you and thanking you for all of the great work that you’ve been doing in the college, the research labs, and helping to grow our presence not just here on this campus, but nationally,” said Interim Dean Shirley Hymon-Parker, Ph.D.
Assistant soil science professor Arnab Bhowmik, Ph.D., received this year’s Outstanding Young Investigator Award, as well as a certificate for High Impact Journal Publication.
“Receiving these feels like all of the stars aligning,” said Bhowmik. “A lot of hard work, a lot of support from administrators from the department chair, the dean, the associate dean, so I’m very grateful and honored to have these awards.”
Zaira Estrada Reyes, Ph.D., an assistant professor of animal genomics, received the Rookie of the Year Award.
“I wasn’t expecting to win this award,” said Reyes. “But I’m excited to receive it by the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and honored that they are recognizing my efforts in research.”
Other recognized categories were the Competitive Research Awards, which awarded individuals and teams with lead and co-primary investigators that garnered over $200,000 in extramarital grants, and the High Impact Journal Publication Award. Recipients included:
- Competitive Research Award as Lead PI: Drs. Jennifer Beasley, Hao Feng, Kathleen Liang, Shengmin Sang, Reza Tahergorabi, Misty Blue-Terry, Lijun Wang, Meeshay Williams-Wheeler, Osei-Agyemang Yeboah, and Jianmei Yu.
- Competitive Research Award as Co-PI: Drs. Amira Ayad, Rishipal Bansode, Biswanath Dari, Kingsley Ekwemalor, Yewande Fasina, Paula Faulkner, Lauren Hargrave, Salam Ibrahim, and Roberta Silva.
- High Impact Journal Publication Award: Drs. Uchenna Anele, Arnab Bhowmik, Guibing Chen, Beatrice Dingha, Yewande Fasina, Hao Feng, Salam Ibrahim, Omon Isikhuemen, Hye Won Kang, Shengmin Sang, Abolghasem Shahbazi, Roberta Silva, Reza Tahergorabi, Terrence Thomas, Lijun Wang, and Jianmei Yu.
