Awards & Recognition
Research Achievement Award Recipients
G. Edzordzi Agbozo, English
G. Edzordzi Agbozo’s research examines the rhetorical dynamics that shape how health and illness are understood in an increasingly interconnected world. By investigating discourses around medicine, health crises and health technologies, the work explores how these narratives influence public perception, policy decisions and health practices across borders. Agbozo Research Profile
Sarah Gaby, Sociology and Criminology
Sarah Gaby’s research examines how historical context shapes contemporary social outcomes. Her research program will continue to grow by integrating community partners and building momentum for the growing subfield. Gaby Research Profile
E. Britt Moore, Environmental Sciences
E. Britt Moore's research explores soil-plant-water interactions to develop accessible, low-cost toolkits that support soil health and facilitate environmental remediation. His work aims to combat food and water scarcity and helps address adverse environmental impacts on health. Moore Research Profile
Menaka Raguparan, Sociology and Criminology
Menaka Raguparan's current research examines how sex work and sex trafficking are problematically conflated in popular discourse and policy. It analyzes how moral, political and legal rhetoric is used to frame sex work as a social problem, particularly through state responses that invoke trafficking language. Raguparan Research Profile
Bradley Tolar, Biology and Marine Biology
Bradley Tolar’s research in aquatic environmental microbiology focuses on the Archaea, an understudied group of microorganisms that are key players in the global nitrogen cycle. His lab investigates how these archaea change over space and time within our local ecosystems, including rivers, estuaries, coastal ocean and out into the Gulf Stream. Tolar Research Profile
Genetically Engineered Coral
Nathan Crowe, History; Nicole Fogarty, Biology and Marine Biology; Jacob Warner, Biology and Marine Biology
Their interdisciplinary research seeks to genetically modify corals to resist climate change with the goal of involving international stakeholders to implement novel techniques in coral restoration. Crowe Research Profile, Fogarty Research Profile, Warner Research Profile
Tom Cariveau, Psychology
With a primary interest in applied behavior analysis, Tom Cariveau’s research focuses on refining methods to better understand the diverse backgrounds of child learners in order to individualize learning procedures and promote efficient learning outcomes. Cariveau Research Profile
Danielle Daidone, World Language and Cultures
Danielle Daidone’s research on high variability phonetic training and instructor input aims to provide tools to improve students' perception and production of second language sounds and identifying gaps in the language that students are exposed to in the classroom. Daidone Professional Website
Julia Morris, International Studies
Exploring the local impacts of policies regulating migration and asylum in sites spanning the Asia Pacific, Central America and the Middle East, Julia Morris’s ethnographic research provides crucial insights that can guide immigration policy design. Morris Professional Website
Monica Rother, Environmental Sciences
As a forest ecologist focused on coastal plain pinelands and forested wetlands, Monica Rother’s research informs management of these ecosystems in the face of increasing challenges related to fire, hurricanes, saltwater intrusion, climate change and other anthropogenic disturbances. The UNCW Forest and Fire Ecology Lab Website
Lorian Schweikert, Biology and Marine Biology
Looking to understand the design principles of animal sensory systems, Lorian Schweikert’s current research on dermal photoreception investigates how sensors are physically and computationally arranged to process information required for complex outcomes of animal behavior, which can inform bioinspired sensor development. Schweikert's Evolutionary Neuroecology Lab Website
Troy Frensley, Environmental Sciences
Troy Frensley’s research focuses on developing and conducting program evaluations and research projects in the fields of environmental education, environmental interpretation and informal STEM education to understand the impacts of this work and what leads to successful programs and experiences for diverse audiences. Frensley Professional Website
Peter Haproff, Earth and Ocean Sciences
Peter Haproff, a field-based structural geologist, looks to answer critical questions related to Earth’s evolution by investigating the expressions, mechanisms and timescales of lithospheric deformation and magmatism related to tectonic processes, which can improve knowledge of natural hazards and inform risk mitigation strategies. Haproff Professional Website
Lindsey Schroeder, Health and Applied Human Sciences
With a utility patent pending for a neck strength assessment tool, Lindsey Schroeder aims to extend her collaborative research on reducing the incidence of traumatic brain injuries beyond athletics to the warfighter to improve the lives of patients and their families, unburden the healthcare system and support military readiness. Schroeder Research Profile
Blake Ushijima, Biology and Marine Biology
Blake Ushijima studies how pathogenic microbes cause disease outbreaks with corals and develops new methods to treat coral diseases, which can overlap with natural products discovery and be applied to human pathogens in some instances. The Ushijima Lab Website
Jill Waity, Sociology and Criminology
Ensuring food and nutrition security is essential to healthy, productive living and reducing societal inequalities. Jill Waity’s research in this area specifically tackles disaster food insecurity risk and college student food access. Waity Professional Website
Jake Warner, Biology and Marine Biology
Using marine invertebrates, Jake Warner seeks to understand basic principles of cell biology and contributes to a broader understanding of fundamental processes, including cell movements, growth and the development of diseases, including cancer. The Warner Lab Website
Marine Mammal Stranding Program, Biology and Marine Biology
Michael Tift (Director), Julia Buck, Patrick Erwin, Tiffany Keenan, Heather Koopman, Bill McLellan, Ann Pabst and Lorian Schweikert
The Marine Mammal Stranding Program’s mission is to improve the understanding of the biology and health of marine mammals that inhabit local waters to enhance their conservation. With permission from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, the MMSP responds to sick, injured or deceased marine mammals in the southern region of North Carolina. Samples and data from these animals enable important collaborative research and provide unique applied learning opportunities for students. Current projects include the study of the newly discovered lymphatic system in the central nervous system, the diversity of the gut microbiome between species, and the link between parasite load and disease ecology. Marine Mammal Stranding Program Website
April Braswell, Nursing
Dr. Braswell’s research agenda focuses on pediatric nursing pain and comfort management, holistic comfort care of individuals, and general pediatric holistic health. Braswell Research Profile
Xavier Neumeyer, Management
Dr. Neumeyer, with a team of well-known collaborators, has built an impressive portfolio that includes research on team competencies, technology and digital literacy, women’s entrepreneurship, poverty alleviation, and economic development.
Richard Pond, Psychology
Dr. Pond’s research centers on social and emotional processes in close interpersonal relationships. Specifically, he has been interested in the ways in which people pursue social acceptance and belonging, navigate their social worlds in ways that facilitate their connections with others, and respond to social rejection. The Pond Social Psychology Lab
Michael Tift, Biology and Marine Biology
Dr. Tift’s current research interests lie mainly in the comparative physiology of vertebrates. A major focus of his lab has focused on the role of gasotransmitters (carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide) in the health and function of wild animals. Tift Professional Website
Rachael Urbanek, Environmental Sciences
Dr. Urbanek’s background consists of a strong education in wildlife ecology accompanied by a diverse amount of research and teaching experiences. Over the course of her career, she has conducted research on a wide variety of animals: timber rattlesnakes, ruffed grouse, white-tailed-deer, raccoons, eastern cottontails, swamp rabbits, Blanding’s turtles, and feral cats. Urbanek Professional Website
National Treatment Court Resource Center
Kristen DeVall (Sociology and Criminology), Christina Lanier (Sociology and Criminology), Sally MacKain (Psychology), Jeanne Persuit (Communication Studies) and Ron Vetter (Computer Science) | National Treatment Court Resource Center Website
Daniel Baden, Center for Marine Science
Chris Finelli, Biology and Marine Biology
Alan Hulbert, Center for Marine Science
Christopher Lantz, College of Health and Human Services (2024)
Lynn Leonard, Earth and Ocean Sciences
William McLellan, Biology and Marine Biology
James Merritt, Biology and Marine Biology
Steven Miller, Center for Marine Science
Ann Pabst, Biology and Marine Biology
Joseph Pawlik, Biology and Marine Biology
Martin Posey, Biology and Marine Biology
Thomas Potts, Center for Marine Science
Paul Reinmann, Center for Marine Science
Steve Ross, Center for Marine Science
Andrew Shepard, Center for Marine Science
Jack Watson, College of Health and Human Services (2024)
Troy Alphin, Biology and Marine Biology
Gene Brooks Avery, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Cathy Barlow, Watson College of Education
Lawrence Cahoon, Biology and Marine Biology
Kristen DeVall, Sociology and Criminology (2024)
Richard Dillaman, Biology and Marine Biology
Jennifer Dorton, Center for Marine Science
Michael Durako, Biology and Marine Biology
Robert Kieber, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Leslie Langer, Small Business Technology Development Center
Christina Lanier, Sociology and Criminology (2024)
Sally MacKain, Psychology (2024)
Michael Mallin, Center for Marine Science
Ralph Mead, Earth and Ocean Sciences (2023)
John Morrison, Physics and Physical Oceanography
Marvin Moss, Center for Marine Sciences
Jeanne Persuit, Communication Studies (2024)
Karl Ricanek, Computer Science
Frederick Scharf, Biology and Marine Biology (2024)
Karen Shafer, Watson College of Education
Robert Tyndall, Watson College of Education
Ronald Vetter, Computer Science
Wade Watanabe, Center for Marine Science
Robert Wicklund, Academic Affairs
Ami Wilbur, Shellfish Research Hatchery
Jeffrey Wright, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Md Shah Alam, Center for Marine Science
Midori Albert, Anthropology
Antje Almeida, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Paulo Almeida, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Catharina Alves de Souza, Center for Marine Science
David Andrews, Watson College of Education
Diana Ashe, Center for Teaching Excellence and Faculty Leadership
Jeffery Bailey, Biology and Marine Biology
Michael Baker, Center for Marine Science
John Bennett, School of Health and Applied Human Sciences
Frederick Bingham, Physics and Physical Oceanography
James Blum, Mathematics and Statistics
Jess Boersma, World Languages and Cultures
Perri Bomar, School of Nursing
Andrea Bourdelais, Center for Marine Science
Philip Bresnahan, Earth and Ocean Sciences
Christian Briseño-Avena, Biology and Marine Biology (2024)
Rebecca Caldwell, Division of Student Affairs
Patrick Carroll, Aquaculture Program
Caroline Clements, Psychology
Dale Cohen, Psychology
Edna Collins, Watson College of Education
William Cooper, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Nathan Crowe, History (2024)
Raymond Danner, Biology and Marine Biology (2024)
Natacha Davis, QENO
Steve Demski, Public Service and Continuing Studies
Darwin Dennison, Health and Applied Human Services
James DeVita, Watson College of Education
Chris Dumas, Economics and Finance
Steve Emslie, Biology and Marine Biology
Patrick Erwin, Biology and Marine Biology
Devon Eulie, Environmental Sciences
Martha Everette, Watson College of Education
Jennifer Fernandez-Villa, International Programs
Nicole Fogarty, Biology and Marine Biology (2024)
Arthur Frampton, Biology and Marine Biology
Troy Frensley, Environmental Sciences
Wilson Freshwater, Biology and Marine Biology
Joseph Galizio, Psychology
Liping Gan, Physics and Physical Oceanography
Derek Grimes, Physics and Physical Oceanography (2024)
Nathanial Grove, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Courtney Hackney, Biology and Marine Biology
Ken Halanych, Center for Marine Science
Joanne Halls, Earth and Ocean Sciences
William Harris, Geography and Geology
Andrea Hawkes, Earth and Ocean Sciences
Andrew Hayes, Watson College of Education
Hathia Hayes, Watson College of Education
Russel Herman, Mathematics and Statistics
Lance Horn, Center for Marine Science
Paul Hosier, Biology and Marine Biology
Leslie Hossfeld, Sociology and Criminology
Michelle Howard-Vital, Public Service and Extended Education
Richard Huber, Watson College of Education
Jessie Jarvis, Biology and Marine Biology
Stephanie Kamel, Biology and Marine Biology (2024)
Julian Keith, Psychology
Steve Kinsey, Biology and Marine Biology
Shannon Klotsko, Earth and Ocean Sciences (2024)
Rachel Kohman, Psychology
Heather Koopman, Biology and Marine Biology
Christopher LaClair, Center for Marine Science
Mark Lammers, Mathematics and Statistics
Chad Lane, Earth and Ocean Sciences
Tom Lankford, Biology and Marine Biology
David Lindquist, Biology and Marine Biology
Ai Ning Loh, Earth Ocean Sciences (2024)
Joseph Long, Physics and Physical Oceanography
Susana Lopez-Legentil, Biology and Marine Biology
Susan Lovelace, Center for Marine Science
Gabriel Lugo, Mathematics and Statistics
Leah Mayo, Center for Healthy Communities
Jennifer McCall, School of Nursing
Michael McCartney, Biology and Marine Biology
Dylan McNamara, Physics and Physical Oceanography
Heather McWhorter, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Stephen Meinhold, Public and International Affairs
Ryan Mieras, Physics and Physical Oceanography (2024)
Mahnaz Moallem, Watson College of Education
Jeremy Morgan, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Jerome Naar, Center for Marine Science
Sridhar Narayan, Computer Science
Nora Noel, Psychology
Kate Nooner, Psychology
William Overman, Psychology
Laurie Paarlberg, Public and International Affairs
Eleni Pappamihiel, Watson College of Education
Eric Patterson, Computer Science
Mike Perko, Health and Applied Human Sciences
Remington Poulin, Chemistry and Biochemistry (2024)
Narcisa Pricope, Earth and Ocean Sciences
Eleanora Reber, Anthropology
James Reeves, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Robert Roer, Biology and Marine Biology
Spencer Rogers, Center for Marine Science
Donyell Roseboro, Watson College of Education
Saul Rosser, Center for Marine Science
David Roye, Biology and Marine Biology
Fran Scarlett, Small Business Technology Development Center
Pamela Seaton, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Thomas Shafer, Biology and Marine Biology
Ron Sizemore, Biology and Marine Biology
Stephen Skrabal, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Bongkuen Song, Biology and Marine Biology
Ann Stapleton, Biology and Marine Biology
Wendy Strangman, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Ata Suanda, Physics and Physical Oceanography
Lori Sutter, Biology and Marine Biology
Alina Szmant, Biology and Marine Biology
Gene Tagliarini, Computer Science
Veronica Tapia, College Advising Corps (2024)
Allison Taylor, Biology and Marine Biology
Carol Chase Thomas, Watson College of Education
Michael Tift, Biology and Marine Biology
Craig Tobias, Geography and Geology
Blake Ushijima, Biology and Marine Biology
Sridhar Varadarajan, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Aswani Volety, formerly College of Arts and Sciences
Charles Ward, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Jacob Warner, Biology and Marine Biology (2024)
David Webster, Biology and Marine Biology
Ashley Wells, Health and Applied Human Sciences
Andrew Westgate, Biology and Marine Biology
Karen Wetherill, Watson College of Education
Jason White, Center for Marine Science
James White, Biology and Marine Biology
Robert Whitehead, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Joan Wiley, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Thomas Williamson, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Amanda Southwood Williard, Biology and Marine Biology (2024)