A team of researchers in our School of Biological Sciences, led by professors Kelly Robinson and Emily Kane,
Ten College of Sciences Faculty Honored
Wed, 03/25/2026 - 9:49am
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The University of Louisiana at Lafayette honored faculty, researchers and mentors whose work is advancing discovery and innovation during its Research Recognition Ceremony. The ceremony was held March 13 at the Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise Center on the UL Lafayette campus. “These recognitions speak to the strength of our research enterprise and our trajectory as a top-tier research university,” said Dr. Kumer Das, interim vice president for Research and Innovation. “What we are celebrating is not just achievement, but impact — the kind of work that advances knowledge, strengthens partnerships and serves our state and beyond.”
College of Sciences Honorees
The ten College of Sciences honorees are featured below.
Research Excellence Award
Recognizing those who have demonstrated exceptional scholarship in their respective academic colleges.
Dr. Nicholas Kooyers, Biology
Rising Star Award
Recognizing junior faculty members showing great promise in scholarship in their respective colleges.
Dr. Min Shi, Computing and Informatics
Outstanding Doctoral Student Mentor
Recognizing those who have shown exceptional productivity in the support of the education of doctoral students in their respective colleges.
Dr. Mark Genung, Biology
Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor
Recognizing those who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to undergraduate students and their advancement as undergraduate researchers.
Dr. Jorge Villa, Geosciences
Outstanding Achievement in Externally Funded Research
Recognizing those who have been awarded externally sponsored projects in an amount of $1 million or more during the Fiscal Year 2024.
Dr. Beth Stauffer, Biology
Dr. Henry Chu, Computing and Informatics
Outstanding Achievement in Innovation
Recognizing those actively involved in advancing the University’s innovations through granted patents during the Fiscal Year 2024.
Dr. Radhey Srivastava, Chemistry
Dr. Xiali Hei, Computing and Informatics (Martin Margala accepting award in photo)
Mid-Career Faculty Fellow
Recognizing those who have completed the Mid-Career Faculty Fellow Award program.
Dr. Sonya Hsu, Computing and Informatics
Dr. Yi-Hong Wang, Biology