2025 Auburn University Faculty Award winners - Page
Meet This Year’s Faculty Awards Recipients
President's Awards for Distinguished Faculty Leadership
The President’s Award for Distinguished Faculty Leadership is a prestigious honor given to up to two faculty members at Auburn University who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and service.
Jeffrey LaMondia
Elton and Lois Huff Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
As the the Elton and Lois Huff Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, LaMondia exemplifies Auburn University’s commitment to interdisciplinary leadership and community engagement. A member of the Auburn faculty since 2010, LaMondia is known for bringing people together across disciplines to solve complex challenges. As director of Auburn’s Common Book Program, housed in the Office of the Provost, he has guided university-wide discussions that promote shared learning and meaningful dialogue among students, faculty, and staff. His leadership in this initiative—unique for a faculty member in engineering—demonstrates his deep commitment to inclusive education and cross-campus connection.
Within the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, LaMondia leads outreach programs such as Engineer Together, Engineer Together Day, and the Design for Humanity Challenge, each designed to expand students’ understanding of engineering’s role in service to society. He also co-leads the Live Well Alabama: Thriving Communities initiative in partnership with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, applying transportation research to improve quality of life and economic development in rural communities.
The Gerald and Emily Leischuck Endowed Presidential Awards for Excellence in Teaching
Bridgitta Brunner
Professor
School of Communication and Journalism
College of Liberal Arts
A professor in the School of Communication and Journalism for 24 years, Brunner is widely recognized for her innovation in teaching, leadership in public relations education, and deep commitment to student success. Through her creative, hands-on teaching, she connects theory to practice and inspires curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration. She established Auburn’s public relations study abroad program in Spain, offering students immersive global experiences, and integrates service-learning and professional mentorship into her courses to prepare students for meaningful careers.
Known for her compassion and encouragement, Brunner is described by students and colleagues as the kind of professor who brings out the best in others and supports their success far beyond the classroom. A respected scholar in public relations and communication, she has authored or edited five books, published more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles, and delivered numerous national presentations that have shaped the field of public relations education. Her many honors—including the AEJMC PRIDE Educator Award, membership in Auburn’s Global Teaching Academy, and recognition as both an Auburn Alumni Professor and Provost’s Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award recipient—reflect her lasting influence on students, colleagues, and the profession.
Lea Elland
Hill Crest Clinical Professor
Department of Pharmacy Practice
Harrison College of Pharmacy
Eiland, a professor in the Harrison College of Pharmacy for more than 23 years, is celebrated for her innovative, evidence-based teaching and exceptional mentorship. Her dynamic instructional style—combining simulation, flipped and inquiry-based learning, and team-based approaches—has been instrumental in shaping the college’s Practice Ready Curriculum, preparing students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and deliver patient-centered care.
A prolific scholar, Eiland has authored 87 peer-reviewed publications, many focused on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and often co-authored with students, underscoring her commitment to advancing educational practice and supporting student growth. Her mentorship has guided countless students toward pediatric residencies, professional conference participation, and long-term career advancement in pharmacy. Eiland’s excellence has earned national recognition and embodies Auburn’s ideals of rigorous, innovative, and student-centered teaching. Her influence extends beyond the classroom, shaping the next generation of pharmacy professionals through her scholarship, service, and leadership.
Xiao Qin
Professor and Director of Graduate Programs
Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering
Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
A nationally respected expert in data science, cybersecurity, and high-performance computing, Qin has dedicated nearly two decades to advancing research that bridges theoretical innovation with real-world application. At Auburn, he has established an internationally recognized research program focused on improving the performance, reliability, and security of large-scale computer systems.
As director of the Data Science and Engineering Laboratory, Qin has fostered impactful collaborations across academia, industry, and government to address complex computational challenges through advanced, data-driven approaches. His record includes more than 140 peer-reviewed publications and over $4 million in external funding, including multiple grants from the National Science Foundation. His work has been cited thousands of times, reflecting its broad and lasting influence. Qin’s leadership extends to mentoring, having supervised 17 doctoral students and numerous master’s and undergraduate researchers. His dedication to student success and research excellence embodies Auburn’s mission to advance knowledge, innovation, and global impact through teaching and discovery.
Creative Research and Scholarship Awards
Category: Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, Architecture & Design, Business, Social and Human Sciences
Francesca Adler-Baeder
Alumni Professor and Human Sciences Professor
Department of Human Development and Family Science
College of Human Sciences
A fellow of the National Council on Family Relations, Adler-Baeder is recognized for her internationally acclaimed research on relational health and stepfamilies. With a scholarly emphasis on couple and relationship education for youth and adults and intimate and coparenting relationships, Adler-Baeder has received continuous extramural funding for 24 years, totaling more than $50 million in competitive federal and state support. She also serves as the Principal Investigator and Project Director of the Alabama Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Initiative, a statewide outreach and research project promoting relational health among youth and adults through school and community-based education.
Her scholarly publications have been cited more than 3,600 times, and her research-based initiatives have reached more than 50,000 high school students and 30,000 adults. Adler-Baeder’s community education curricula have been translated into six languages, extending Auburn’s impact around the world. She has been invited to present her work at the National Press Club, the National Governors Association and the White House Roundtable on Innovative University-Community Partnerships.
Category: Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Engineering and Agriculture
Virginia Davis
Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering
Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Davis is recognized for her groundbreaking research applying core principles of thermodynamics, nanotechnology and polymer science to develop new materials and processes. Her discoveries have advanced the manufacturing of photonic films, high-strength fibers, sensors and printed electronic devices. A faculty member since 2005, Davis leads interdisciplinary research focused on self-assembly of nanomaterials, rheology and lyotropic liquid crystals, additive manufacturing, polymers and nanocomposites and STEM identity formation.
A leader in STEM education and workforce development, Davis has published nearly 90 scholarly articles, which have been cited more than 6,700 times. Her work has been widely published and cited, with over 6,700 citations, an h-index of 32, and an i10-index of 62. She has authored influential papers in Nature Nanotechnology, Science, Macromolecules and ACS Nano, among others. Her collaborative research projects have received more than $45 million in funding, with approximately $5 million directly supporting her group’s work. Appointed to the Alabama STEM Council by Gov. Kay Ivey, Davis is also a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Before joining academia, Davis spent 11 years with Shell Chemicals in the U.S. and Europe, working in polymer businesses.
Emerging Faculty Creative Research and Scholarship Awards
Category: Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, Architecture & Design, Business, Social and Human Sciences
Sayyed Fawad Ali Shah
Assistant Professor
School of Communication and Journalism
College of Liberal Arts
Shah is recognized for his influential research in journalism studies, particularly his groundbreaking work on journalist safety and mental well-being in nations with authoritarian governments. His scholarship has been cited more than 500 times, including in three United Nations policy papers, and has been published in leading journals such as Health Communication, Digital Journalism, and Journalism Studies. He also serves as co-chair of the Health Communication Working Group of the International Association of Media and Communication Research.
She has received multiple distinctions for his scholarship, including a Top Paper Award from the National Communication Association and the prestigious Athena Fellowship from Germany’s Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Prior to academia, Shah spent nearly a decade as a journalist covering war, ethnic and religious conflict, crime, education, health, and climate. His reporting, featured in local, national, and international outlets, continues to inform his academic work and enrich his teaching, bridging the worlds of journalism practice and research.
Category: Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Engineering and Agriculture
Richard Vachula
Assistant Professor
Department of Geosciences
College of Sciences and Mathematics
Vachula is recognized for his transformative research in paleoclimatology and paleoecology, advancing understanding of fire as both a natural and human-driven force shaping Earth’s ecosystems. His pioneering studies examine the intricate relationships among climate, fire, humans and vegetation, offering vital insights that inform environmental policy, sustainability efforts, and land management practices..
Vachula leads a research group specializing in paleoclimatology, paleoecology and organic geochemistry. His work has been cited more than 1,400 times and featured in The Washington Post and The New York Times, reflecting its broad scientific and societal impact. He has delivered more than 40 invited presentations and posters at national and international conferences and has secured more than $2 million in extramural funding, including nearly $1.5 million as principal investigator. In 2024, Vachula received a $1.03 million award from the National Science Foundation for a collaborative project reconstructing past fire-climate relationships to better predict future fire potential in the eastern United States. By analyzing ash preserved in sediment to develop new fire records, this research has major implications for climate modeling, ecosystem resilience and sustainable land-use planning.
Provost Award for Faculty Excellence in Research Mentoring
Jayachandra Ramapuram
Professor
Department of Drug Discovery and Development
Harrison College of Pharmacy
Since joining Auburn University in 2005, Ramapuram has exemplified Auburn’s commitment to excellence in research, teaching and mentorship. A distinguished scholar in drug delivery and pharmaceutical sciences, his work focuses on developing advanced therapeutic formulations that improve patient outcomes and expand scientific understanding in pharmaceutics.
Equally impressive is his dedication to mentorship. Over nearly two decades, Ramapuram has guided more than 30 undergraduate and professional students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in academia, industry and government. His undergraduate mentees have earned more than 90 research awards—including 67 with cash prizes—and have received competitive honors such as Undergraduate Research Fellowships and Merck Research Fellowships. Ramapuram’s commitment to student development extends beyond the classroom. He founded the AAPS Student Chapter at Auburn, fostering student leadership and professional engagement, and has established collaborative training opportunities with pharmaceutical companies. His election as a 2024 AAPS Fellow reflects national recognition of his leadership, scholarship and lifelong commitment to developing the next generation of pharmaceutical innovators.
Michael Roberts
Professor
School of Kinesiology, College of Education
A professor in the School of Kinesiology for more than a decade, Roberts leads the Molecular and Applied Sciences Laboratory, where his research explores skeletal muscle biology, exercise physiology and nutritional interventions. His work examines how training and diet influence molecular adaptations related to performance, aging and overall health.
Roberts has secured more than $5 million in extramural funding from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Defense and has authored or co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications. A respected scholar and mentor, he has guided graduate students to remarkable success—co-authoring more than 120 publications, securing more than $100,000 in research funding and earning prestigious awards from Auburn and national scientific organizations. Through his mentorship, Roberts has helped many students pursue postdoctoral positions, tenure-track faculty roles and leadership positions in industry. Known for his supportive, research-driven approach, Roberts provides detailed feedback, professional guidance and networking opportunities that help shape the next generation of scholars.
Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Awards
The Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Awards recognize the outstanding teaching of undergraduates from nominations made by department heads, deans, alumni, and students. A committee of retired faculty selects the recipients.
Sungeun Cho
Associate Professor
Department of Poultry Science
College of Agriculture
Since joining Auburn in 2019, Cho has made a remarkable impact through her engaging and innovative instruction in courses such as Food Chemistry, Sensory Evaluation and Introduction to Food Science. She is widely recognized for making complex scientific concepts both accessible and relevant by connecting classroom learning to real-world applications, integrating current industry trends and incorporating emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence—into her teaching
Cho’s teaching approach not only challenges students academically but also inspires them to engage in research and publish their findings, with several class projects resulting in peer-reviewed journal articles. Beyond the classroom, she demonstrates a deep commitment to student success, serving as advisor to the Food Science Club, mentoring undergraduate and graduate researchers, and fostering career development through hands-on training and professional guidance. Before joining Auburn, she directed the Sensory Lab at Michigan State University and worked at the University of Arkansas Sensory Service Center, experiences that continue to enrich her teaching and research.
Brian Delaney
Assistant Professor
School of Communication and Journalism
College of Liberal Arts
An assistant professor in the School of Communication and Journalism, Delaney specializes in sports reporting and newswriting. Since joining the faculty in 2021, he has revised key journalism courses, developed a master course shell to strengthen consistency in Newswriting, and led initiatives that contributed to the program’s successful reaccreditation. He also spearheaded the creation of Auburn’s first program-specific guidelines for the use of AI in journalism education.
A former professional sports journalist, Delaney brings real-world newsroom experience into the classroom while pursuing research on pedagogy and cognitive modeling theory in journalism education. He has co-led research projects on AP Style learning and regularly publishes and presents in academic and professional forums. Widely praised as a mentor and innovative teacher, Delaney is known for his accessibility, student-centered approach and commitment to preparing the next generation of journalists to thrive in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Yee Ming Lee
Associate Professor
Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management
College of Human Sciences
A dedicated educator and researcher, Lee is known for her innovative teaching methods, mentorship and commitment to student success inside and outside the classroom. Her expertise spans nutrition education, community health and applied research, with a focus on empowering students to translate academic learning into real-world practice.
Since joining Auburn, Lee has advanced curriculum design, fostered student research engagement and built strong partnerships that extend learning beyond the university. She has earned recognition from colleagues and students alike for her accessibility, encouragement and ability to create inclusive, engaging learning environments. Through her teaching, research and service, Lee exemplifies Auburn’s mission to prepare graduates who are not only career-ready but also committed to improving the health and well-being of their communities.
Auburn University Award for Excellence in Faculty Outreach
Leanne Dillard
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Animal Sciences
College of Agriculture
Dillard’s outstanding outreach record exemplifies Auburn University’s land-grant mission and its commitment to serving Alabama’s people and industries. Known as a “bridge between the laboratory and the pasture,” Dillard connects Auburn research directly to producers through practical, science-based solutions that improve forage and livestock management statewide.
As director of the Alabama Forage Focus Program, Dillard has unified her research, Extension, and engagement work under a single, recognizable brand. This initiative—anchored by the Bermudagrass Hay Summit and the Alabama Grazing Academy—delivers hands-on, data-driven training that enhances both economic and environmental outcomes. Since 2018, more than 240 producers have completed the Grazing Academy, reporting knowledge gains of 30–60% in forage testing, weed control, and soil fertility. These management improvements have generated nearly $240,000 in documented economic benefits, strengthening Alabama’s $2.5 billion beef and hay industries. Dillard’s dedication to accessible education extends beyond the field through innovative digital resources such as the Forage Basics Online Course and Handbook, which reach thousands of producers statewide. As a mentor and collaborator, she has also expanded the capacity of Extension agents and students, ensuring Auburn’s expertise benefits all 67 Alabama counties. Through her scholarly leadership and community impact, Dillard exemplifies the transformative power of university outreach.
Distinguished Graduate Faculty Lectureship
Co-sponsored by the Auburn Alumni Association and the Graduate School, the Distinguished Graduate Faculty Lectureship recognizes a faculty member based on excellence in research.
Thomas
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A distinguished physicist and academic leader, Thomas’ career spans over three decades of excellence in research, teaching, and service. As the dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics, his work has received continuous support from a wide variety of federal science agencies and programs. Since 2000, Thomas has held prestigious endowed professorships and has made significant contributions to plasma physics, particularly in dusty plasma research. His scholarly achievements have earned him national and international recognition, including election as a Fellow of the American Physical Society, the Alabama Academy of Sciences, and the National Society of Black Physicists.
