MSU faculty awards: College of Arts and Sciences celebrates excellence in research, mentorship and scholarship
Contact: Sarah Nicholas
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University’s College of Arts and Sciences has honored four distinguished faculty members this semester with prestigious awards, recognizing their exceptional contributions to the university’s record of academic excellence.
Dean Rick Travis emphasized the pivotal role of faculty in the university’s mission for research, teaching and service.
“Our faculty members are the heart of Mississippi State’s mission, bringing knowledge, innovation and inspiration to our students and community. Celebrating our faculty award recipients is a reminder of the remarkable talent and dedication that drive our university forward. These honorees have set high standards in teaching, research and service, showing that their passion for learning extends beyond the classroom, elevating our university’s reputation and impact,” said Travis.
Hossein Karimi, assistant professor of psychology, was recognized with the Sanderson Dean’s Eminent Scholar Award for the social and behavioral sciences. Interim Department Head Jarrod Moss said, “Since joining MSU, Dr. Karimi has been an exceptionally productive member of our department. His research has been published in leading journals, and he has achieved the distinction of securing the department’s first NSF CAREER award. Dr. Karimi is committed to integrating his doctoral students into his research, allowing them to benefit from his growing reputation as a leader in psycholinguistics and cognitive science. Additionally, he is a valued colleague, known for his willingness to assist and his positive interactions with colleagues.”
Michael S. Pratte, associate professor of psychology, received the Phil and Kari Oldham Faculty Mentor Award. Interim Department Head Moss said, “Dr. Pratte has demonstrated exceptional dedication to mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students. He has thoughtfully crafted research experiences that foster the growth and development of his mentees. His undergraduate students have achieved remarkable success in gaining admission to prestigious graduate programs, and his current and former graduate students have also excelled in their professional careers.”
Morgan J. Robinson, associate professor of history and director of MSU’s Institute for the Humanities, was honored with the Gulmon Dean’s Eminent Scholar Award for the humanities. Department Head Alan Marcus said the caliber of Robinson’s academic work provides Mississippians with “world class education” at MSU. “Dr. Robinson’s work and the various international recognition she has received has not only enhanced the history department within the state of Mississippi but also has raised the status of MSU throughout the international community, and we are proud of her successes,” Marcus said.
Qian Michelle Zhou, associate professor of mathematics and statistics, received the Sanderson Dean’s Eminent Scholar Award for the natural and physical sciences. Department Head Mohsen Razzaghi said, “Her innovative research has had a profound impact on the fields of applied mathematics and statistics, securing numerous grants and providing invaluable research opportunities for students. She has garnered a national and international reputation in the research areas of model diagnosis, risk prediction and survival analysis. Dr. Zhou is an excellent example of success in multidiscipline collaboration as she has published with others in social science, agriculture, genetics, economics, computer science and medical research.”
Mississippi State University’s College of Arts and Sciences encompasses nearly 5,000 students and 320 faculty members. The college’s diverse research initiatives span the natural and physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities.
Mississippi State University is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an R1 “Very High Research Activity” doctoral university, a designation held by only 120 institutions in the country.
For more details about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, visit www.cas.msstate.edu.
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