Faculty & Staff

B. Daniel Pierce, assistant professor of biology, received a $104,500 award from the Thomas F. and Kate Miller Jeffress Memorial Trust for his research project, Determining the Precise Molecular Interactions Between Plant Phenols and the Agrobacterium Receptor VirA.

Michael Norris, assistant professor of chemistry, received a $104,500 award from Thomas F. and Kate Miller Jeffress Memorial Trust for Understanding the Reduction of CO2 to Methanol Catalyzed by Simple Amines with a Combined Computational and Experimental Approach.

Kristine L. Grayson, associate professor of biology, was awarded $104,500 from the Thomas F. and Kate Miller Jeffress Memorial Trust for her research project, Forecasting the Spread of an Invasive Forest Pest.

Joonsuk "Jon" Park, assistant professor of computer science, received a $104,500 award from the Thomas F. and Kate Miller Jeffress Memorial Trust for his research project, Understanding the Impact of Argumentative Structures on Helpfulness of Online Product Reviews.

Shelley Burns, director of career programs in business, was named to the Business Education and Careers Wiley Product Advisory Board. As a board member, Burns provides guidance and feedback on Wiley's product portfolio to better serve students in adapting to industry needs and changes.

Crystal Hoyt, professor of leadership studies and psychology, is the lead author on "Lay Theories of Heroism and Leadership: The Role of Gender, Communion, and Agency" published in Social Psychology.

Thad Williamson, associate professor of leadership studies and PPEL, published "'Dramatic Change Will Require Leadership.' A Message to the Next Generation of Leaders" in Diverse Issues in Higher Education.

Ken Ruscio, senior distinguished lecturer of leadership studies, wrote "Leaders like Trump fail if they cannot speak the truth and earn trust," published in The Conversation.