Campus researchers honored for achievements
Plant and Soil Sciences Research Professor Kambham "Raja" Reddy, center, was recognized April 3 at the MSU Research Awards Banquet with the Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award, the highest honor given. His research focuses on environmental control of plant growth and development, crop simulation model development and applications, and global change biology and remote sensing applications in natural resource management. Presenting Reddy with the award are Gregory Bohach, left, vice president for agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine, and David Shaw, right, vice president for research and economic development. PHOTO: Russ Houston | University Relations
Nearly 50 Mississippi State faculty, students and staff are 2012 selections for university research honors.
President Mark E. Keenum and other senior administrators were in attendance at a recent campus banquet to extend the land-grant institution's congratulations for the accomplishments.
"Research and service go hand in hand at our university," Keenum told the large audience of faculty, staff, students, friends, and family gathered at the Hunter Henry Center.
"I greatly appreciate your hard work and dedication to our state. Congratulations on a job well done," he said.
Plant and Soil Sciences research professor Kambham "Raja" Reddy received the night's top honor, the 2012 Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award.
Reddy's work focuses on environmental control of plant growth and development, crop simulation model development and applications, and global change biology and remote sensing applications in natural resource management.
"Dr. Reddy has had a strong impact on research. He is known internationally as an outstanding mentor and colleague," said David Shaw, vice president for research and economic development. "He is a hands-on research leader with a thirst to do more."
The Powe Award is a memorial to the MSU alumnus and longtime research vice president who died in 1996.
The annual awards program honors individuals who contribute significantly to the land-grant institution's mission of research. In addition to faculty, it recognizes and rewards students and support staff for accomplishments and creative endeavors, as well as for increasing awareness of the university's many research programs and capabilities.
The program and banquet are co-sponsored by the offices of the vice presidents for Research and Economic Development and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.
"Mississippi State's research enterprise is growing in a number of different areas because of the collaboration between our two divisions," Shaw said.
Greg Bohach, vice president for agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine, echoed Shaw's assessment.
"We enjoy working together, and our research is making a difference thanks to the excellence of our people," Bohach said.
Other 2012 MSU research award winners include (alphabetically, by academic unit):
--Bagley College of Engineering: Burak Eksioglu, faculty; William Holmes, research support staff; Brandon M. Malone of Murfreesboro, Tenn., graduate student; Wei Li of Starkville, graduate student; and Jonathan W. Harper of Meridian, undergraduate student.
--College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station: Dan Reynolds, faculty, and David Brand, research support staff; Bandara Gajanayake of Starkville, graduate student; and Joshua K. Craver of Tyler, Texas, undergraduate student.
--College of Architecture, Art and Design: Theo Haupt, faculty.
--College of Arts and Sciences: Matthew Hughey, faculty; Reatha Linley, research support staff; Sean L. Stokes of Holly Pond, Ala., graduate student; and Kelsey M. Norris of Madison, Ala., undergraduate student.
--College of Business: Nicole Ponder Lueg, faculty.
--College of Education: David Morse, faculty; Iva Ballard, research support staff; Katelyn L. Graben of Gulfport, graduate student; and Rebecca A. Bernheim of Gulfport, undergraduate student.
--College of Forest Resources: Sam Riffell, faculty; Misty Booth, research support staff; Juliet Dao-May Tang of Starkville, graduate student; and William R. Hunter of Brandon, undergraduate student.
--College of Veterinary Medicine: Keun Seok Seo, faculty; Abdolsamad Borazjani, research support staff; and Jonathan M. Greene of Trussville, Ala., graduate student.
--MSU Meridian: Lindon Ratliff, faculty.
--Office of Research and Economic Development: Ben Sharpe, research support staff.
--University Centers and Institutes: Deepak Mishra, faculty; Shauncey Hill, research support staff, and Majid Mahrooghy of Starkville, graduate student.
New graduates of the campus Faculty Leadership Program also were honored. They include Ted Atkinson, Yogi Dandass, Islam El-adaway, Rafael Hernandez, Gregg Ibendahl, John Kushla, John Madsen, Jarrod Moss, Dagmar Radin, Angela Robertson, Rebecca Robichaux, Mark Shankle, Erdem Topsakal, John Usher and Keisha Walters.
Jim Laird | University Relations
