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Impact Like No Other: UNCW Celebrates Its Research Leaders

The achievements, scholarly productivity and creative works of UNCW’s research leaders were formally applauded at the 16th annual research celebration on Sept. 28.
The achievements, scholarly productivity and creative works of UNCW’s research leaders were formally applauded at the 16th annual research celebration on Sept. 28.
Photo: Michael Spencer/UNCW

The achievements, scholarly productivity and creative works of UNCW’s research leaders were formally applauded at the 16th annual research celebration on Sept. 28. The event recognized those who have participated in extramurally sponsored research in the form of proposals or awards within the preceding academic year and celebrated significant research accomplishments and impact.

“Congratulations to all of the UNCW researchers whose work contributed to the huge success and impact of the institution’s research and creative activities last year,” said Stuart R. Borrett, Associate Provost for Research and Innovation. “While there are many success metrics for this work, I want to highlight and thank the more than 300 faculty, staff and students who served as investigators on proposals submitted or awards received from external sponsors last year. These funds provide important fuel to translate questions and ideas into positive outcomes.” 

The Research Administration Outstanding Campus Partner Award honors staff making improvements to support research administration efforts across campus and celebrates partners contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of the UNCW research enterprise. This year’s recipients are: 

  • Megan Gorham, director, and Katie Crosby, assistant director, Advancement’s Corporate and Foundation Engagement

Most Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023)

 College of Health and Human Services 

  • Dr. Lenis Chen-Edinboro, Health and Applied Human Sciences
  • Dr. Alex McDaniel, Health and Applied Human Sciences
  • Dr. Anka Roberto, Nursing
  • Dr. Lindsey Schroeder, Health and Applied Human Sciences
  • Dr. Jacqueline Vaughn, Nursing

Watson College of Education

  • Dr. Sheri Conklin, Instructional Technology, Foundations, and Secondary Education
  • Dr. Jeremy Hilburn, Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, Literacy, and Special
  • Dr. Kevin McClure, Education Leadership

Cameron School of Business

  • Dr. Stephen Horan, Economics and Finance
  • Dr. Lorraine Lee, Accountancy
  • Dr. Jessica Magnus, Management

College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts

  • Dr. Ethan Higgins, Sociology and Criminology
  • Dr. Michaela Howells, Anthropology
  • Dr. Jill Waity, Sociology and Criminology

College of Science and Engineering

  • Dr. Steve Emslie, Biology and Marine Biology
  • Dr. Indranil Ghosh, Mathematics and Statistics
  • Dr. Peter Haproff, Earth and Ocean Sciences
  • Dr. Blake Ushijima, Biology and Marine Biology
  • Dr. Thomas Williamson, Chemistry and Biochemistry

At the beginning of the patenting process, an Invention Disclosure is the first notification that an invention has been created and establishes the description and chronology of the invention.   

  • Dr. Jeremy Morgan, Chemistry and Biochemistry 
  • Angelina Zipporah Monroe, Chemistry Student
  • Dr. Ryan Mieras, Physics and Physical Oceanography
  • Jacob Stasiewicz ’22
  • Dr. Ethan Watson, Economics and Finance
  • Dr. Bill Sackley, Economics and Finance
  • Richard Keary, CIE Entrepreneur-in-Residence
  • Ethan Lee ’23
  • Dr. Karl Ricanek, Computer Science
  • Adam Langevin '22, ’23M
  • Dr. Ying Wang, Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Jaime Cardenas, Chemistry Student
  • Berk Yalcinkaya, Summer Ventures Intern

The Research Achievement Awards recognize faculty for their excellence in research, innovation and scholarship leading to the advancement of knowledge in their disciplines, discoveries with significant societal impact and the engagement of students in the process. 

Rising Research Excellence Award  

  • Dr. Troy Frensley, Environmental Sciences
  • Dr. Peter Haproff, Earth and Ocean Sciences
  • Dr. Lindsey Schroeder, Health and Applied Human Sciences  
  • Dr. Blake Ushijima, Biology and Marine Biology
  • Dr. Jill Waity, Sociology and Criminology
  • Dr. Jake Warner, Biology and Marine Biology

Research Collaboration Award

Marine Mammal Stranding Program, Biology and Marine Biology

  • Dr. Michael Tift, Director
  • Dr. Julia Buck
  • Dr. Patrick Erwin
  • Dr. Tiffany Keenan
  • Dr. Heather Koopman
  • Mr. Bill McLellan
  • Dr. Ann Pabst
  • Dr. Lorian Schweikert

We invite you to read more about the Research Achievement Awardees and their exciting research programs.

The James F. Merritt Million Dollar Club is a university honor and recognition for faculty and staff who have received $1 million or more in external research funding.  

$5 Million Dollar Club 

  • Dr. Ralph Mead, Earth and Ocean Sciences

$1 Million Dollar Club  

  • Dr. Phil Bresnahan, Earth and Ocean Sciences
  • Dr. Devon Eulie, Environmental Sciences
  • Dr. Troy Frensley, Environmental Sciences
  • Dr. Ken Halanych, Biology and Marine Biology
  • Dr. Joanne Halls, Earth and Ocean Sciences
  • Dr. Andrea Hawkes, Earth and Ocean Sciences
  • Dr. Jessie Jarvis, Biology and Marine Biology
  • Dr. Mark Lammers, Mathematics and Statistics
  • Dr. Chad Lane, Earth and Ocean Sciences
  • Dr. Joe Long, Physics and Physical Oceanography
  • Dr. Kate Nooner, Psychology
  • Dr. Nora Reber, Anthropology
  • Dr. Donyell Roseboro, Instructional Technology, Foundations, and Secondary Education and UNCW Chief Diversity Officer
  • Dr. Ata Suanda, Physics and Physical Oceanography
  • Dr. Lori Sutter, Biology and Marine Biology
  • Dr. Michael Tift, Biology and Marine Biology
  • Dr. Thomas Williamson, Chemistry and Biochemistry

This article has been adapted from previous coverage.

Special Congratulations

Dr. Lynn Leonard, Earth and Ocean Sciences, reached the extraordinary milestone of raising more than $20 million in sponsored program funding. Learn more about her achievement in this tribute video.


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