Virginia Tech announced on April 28 the recipients of its annual spring awards honoring faculty members for their contributions to research, scholarship, and outreach. The Office of Research and Innovation, in collaboration with the Office of Faculty Affairs, recognized extraordinary achievements through three main awards: the Early Career Scholarly Impact Award, the Frontier Award, and the Engaged Research Award.
These honors highlight the impact that Virginia Tech researchers have on daily life as well as their role in advancing knowledge across disciplines. Dan Sui, senior vice president and chief research and innovation officer, said: “Virginia Tech’s researchers and scholars are the engine behind not only our achievement of global distinction, but the embodiment of our motto, Ut Prosim. It is in that spirit they are working each day in the pursuit of knowledge, discovery, and impact greater than themselves.”
The Frontier Award was presented to Annie Stevens (School of Performing Arts), Michael Bartlett (Department of Mechanical Engineering), and Jacob Barney (School of Plant and Environmental Sciences). Stevens was recognized for her work integrating performance with technology to expand access to percussion arts. Her nominator Jeffrey Loeffert wrote: “A scholar–artist of uncommon range… Dr. Stevens’s regional and national contributions strengthen Virginia Tech’s cultural footprint.” Bartlett was honored for advances in soft materials science; his nominator Brian Lattimer wrote: “His discoveries have shifted understanding in multiple fields… His momentum continues to accelerate.” Barney received recognition for pioneering a transdisciplinary approach to invasive species research; nominators David Haak and Mark Reiter stated: “By bridging ecological science with policy… Dr. Barney is not only advancing knowledge but also shaping the future of environmental stewardship.”
Recipients of this year’s Early Career Scholarly Impact Award include Dayoung Kim (Department of Engineering Education), Eranga Galappaththi (Department of Geography), and Adrian Figg (Department of Chemistry). Kim’s nomination by Jenny Lo praised her “well-funded, impactful research program” advancing responsible engineering practice. Galappaththi was commended by Tom Crawford for combining “intellectual excellence with global reach,” while Amanda Morris highlighted Figg’s innovative use of synthetic polymer chemistry.
Shannon Bell from Sociology received this year’s Engaged Research Award for her community-based work focused on Appalachian studies. Jennifer Johnson wrote: “Professor Bell is an environmental sociologist whose career has been defined by sustained… community-engaged research in rural Appalachian communities.”
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences supports these efforts as Virginia Tech’s land-grant college according to its official website. The college includes over 350 scientists across 107 local extension offices along with agricultural centers statewide according to its official website. Its mission involves fostering leadership through practical applications according to its official website while contributing globally according to its official website.
Facilities such as Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research Center support innovation in agriculture, food systems, health sciences according to its official website. These resources help nurture future leaders who improve quality-of-life outcomes locally and internationally according to its official website.
