FAMU Recognizes Faculty Members for Their Commitment To Research

Florida
A&M University (FAMU) University honored 10 faculty members and
President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., on Friday, August 30, for
their commitment to research excellence. It is a tradition for the University to recognize principal
investigators and faculty for their unique and outstanding work during a
luncheon at the beginning of the fall semester.

“Every year, I look forward to
congratulating faculty who are conducting groundbreaking research while
securing funding that is needed to support students who will become the next
generation of researchers and who will have major impacts throughout Florida
and the world,” said Robinson.

FAMU’s Division of Sponsored
Research is on a record-breaking pace to bring more research dollars into the
University. This past academic year, FAMU nearly doubled the amount for
proposals submitted for funding.

During
the 2017-2018 fiscal year, faculty research proposals totaled $99.1 million and
$182.1 million during 2018-2019. Research expenditures also increased from $38
million in 2017-2018 to $49.6 million during the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

Tarik Dickens, associate professor in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, and Syreeta Tilghman, associate professor in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (COPPS), were both honored with the Emerging Researcher Award.

Dickens’ research focuses on industrial and manufacturing
engineering, specifically advanced additive manufacturing. Tilghman focuses on
cancer research. 

The Distinguished Researcher Award went to three very experienced faculty members:  Nazarius Lamango, Ph.D. and Renee Reams, Ph.D., COPPS professors and Henry Neal Williams, Ph.D., professor in the School of Environment.

Professor
Lamango’s research focuses on finding the molecular hallmarks of some of the
most difficult to treat cancers with the potential for diagnostic and
therapeutic applications.

Williams
is a leading microbiology researcher who specializes in predatory
bacteria.

Reams’ research program uses genomics to hunt for genes/gene
signatures that might explain the increased prostate cancer incidences and
mortality observed in Black males.

The
committee recommended the senior faculty members for the award to honor them
for their outstanding contributions to research at FAMU. 

Two
faculty members, Ashvini Chaunhan, associate professor in the School
of Environment, and Muhammad Haseeb, Ph.D., assistant professor
in the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, received the Research
Excellence Award. 

Chaunhan’s
research focuses on restoration ecology,
assessments of impacts to environmental micro-organisms from anthropogenic
inputs, such as ocean acidification; biodegradation of environmental pollutants
and use of microorganisms for biofuels and other value-added products.

The
focus of Haseeb’s research is to develop pest management
strategies for effective management of invasive and established pest insects in
specialty crops.

The Outstanding Faculty Service Award was presented to Maurice S. Holder, Ph.D., in appreciation for
his 41 years of dedication, service and loyalty
to the University and faculty principles and ideas. Holder
is a former Faculty Senate president.

Professor Emeritus in Medicinal Chemistry in COPPS, Kinfe K. Redda, Ph.D.,  received an award in recognition of his service. He is the author of the Institutional Research Awards and inaugural chair of the Institutional Research Awards Committee.

During the awards luncheon, Robinson received the Outstanding Leadership Award in recognition of his “superior leadership qualities,  dedication and selfless service to the University and community.”

He
is the principal investigator and director of the Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems, a partnership funded by a
$15.4 million National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant.

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