Events

Research Events at UMass Dartmouth

Faculty Scholarship Celebration 2025: Honoring excellence in research and mentorship

On February 20, 2025, UMass Dartmouth proudly gathered to honor its remarkable faculty researchers at the annual Faculty Scholarship Celebration. This event recognized outstanding research achievements, scholarly excellence, and transformative mentorship across disciplines.

Celebrating top achievers

The celebration recognized faculty whose exceptional contributions have earned both campus-wide and national recognition:

World’s Top 2% Scientists Award

To recognize UMassD researchers whose work has achieved a citation percentile rank of 2% or higher within their respective sub-field, celebrating their exceptional impact and scholarly influence.

Awardees

Mark Altabet, PhD, SMAST
Steven Cadrin, PhD, SMAST
Sigal Gottlieb, PhD, College of Arts & Sciences
Jefferson Turner, PhD, SMAST
Cheng Wang, PhD, College of Arts & Sciences
Liudong Xing, PhD, College of Engineering

Resilient future award

To honor innovative research, solutions, and initiatives that tackle urgent environmental challenges, foster resilience, enhance the long-term well-being of communities and ecosystems, and propel transformative progress toward a more sustainable and resilient future.

Awardees

Mark Altabet, PhD, SMAST
Patrick Cappillino, PhD, College of Arts & Sciences
Kathryn Wassel, PhD, College of Arts & Sciences

Monumental impact award

To honor individuals or groups whose transformative contributions to the institution—through the creation and/or sustained development of a research or scholarship program—have profoundly advanced the university’s mission and values, leaving an enduring legacy.

Awardee

Ramprasad Balasubramanian, PhD, Academic Affairs/ Provost

Dr. Ramprasad Balasubramanian receiving the Monumental Impact Award from Chancellor Mark Fuller.

Rising stars

To commemorate early-career researchers who have demonstrated exceptional promise, innovation, and impact in their field through significant research contributions, showcasing outstanding potential for future leadership and groundbreaking achievements.

Awardees

Nefeli Bompoti, PhD, College of Engineering
Sarah Donelan, PhD, College of Arts & Sciences
Katrina Velle, PhD, College of Arts & Sciences

Top grant recipients

To recognize Principal Investigators whose grant awards in the last fiscal year placed them among the top recipients within the institution, celebrating their exceptional success in securing research funding.

Awardees

Michael Goodman, PhD , Academic Affairs / Provost
Ramprasad Balasubramanian, PhD, Academic Affairs/ Provost
Pingguo He, PhD, SMAST
Changsheng Chen, PhD, SMAST
Nefeli Bompoti, PhD, College of Engineering
Walaa Mogawer, PhD, College of Engineering
Micheline Labrie, PhD, SMAST
Kevin Stokesbury, PhD, SMAST
Shakhnoza Kayumova, PhD, College of Arts & Sciences

National Distinction Award

To celebrate individuals whose work has profoundly advanced knowledge, shaped policy, or driven innovation, and/or whose achievements have elevated the university’s reputation and impact on a national scale.

Awardees

Arpita Joardar, PhD, Charlton College of Business
Shakhnoza Kayumova, PhD, College of Arts & Sciences
Hangjian Ling, PhD, College of Engineering

Dr. Shakhnoza Kayumova and Dr. Hangjian Ling pictured after receiving the National Distinction Award, joined by Dr. Ramprasad Balasubramanian and Chancellor Mark Fuller.

UMassD-MAX Award

To commend individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication by contributing the highest level of effort in publication, proposal submission, and student advising, showcasing their commitment to advancing the institution's research mission.

Awardees

Satyanarayana Parayitam, PhD, Charlton College of Business
Liudong Xing, PhD, College of Engineering
Steven Cadrin, PhD, SMAST

Recognizing mentorship & service

Mentorship Excellence Certificate

To recognize individuals who have shown exceptional dedication to mentoring and inspiring students or early-career scholars making a profound impact on the personal and professional growth of their mentees.

Awardees

Mary McCurry, PhD, College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Stephanie McGoldrick, PhD, College of Visual & Performing Arts
Jing Wang, PhD, College of Visual & Performing Arts

Research Committee Service (10+ Years)

To recognize individuals for their enduring and often foundational contributions through dedicated service on key research committees, which are critical to advancing the research mission and success of the university.

Awardees

IBC

Mark Silby, PhD, College of Arts & Sciences

IACUC

Tracie Ferreira, PhD, College of Engineering
Robert Drew, PhD, College of Arts & Sciences

IRB

Frank Scarano, PhD, College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Kristen Sethares, PhD, College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Elizabeth Richardson, PhD, College of Arts & Sciences

Dr. Mark Silby, Dr. Kristen Sethares, and Dr. Tracie Ferreira honored for over 10 years of Research Committee Service, joined by Dr. Ramprasad Balasubramanian and Chancellor Mark Fuller.

UMassD Research in the Media Certificate

To honor researchers whose work has achieved public recognition through media coverage, amplifying the visibility and impact of their research while promoting broader engagement with scholarly contributions.