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Awards and Honors

Five COE Faculty Members Named University Faculty Scholars

View of NC State belltower as viewed framed by several trees in the foreground and a bright blue sky behind.

With five NC State College of Engineering faculty members named University Faculty Scholars, engineering faculty make up 25% of the 2024-25 cohort. Associate Professor Matthew Fisher in the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering; Associate Professor Lilian Hsiao in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; and Associate Professor Arun Kota, Associate Professor Marie Muller and Professor Chengying “Cheryl” Xu, all in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, are being recognized for their academic achievements at NC State and beyond.

NC State’s 2024-25 class of University Faculty Scholars was announced today. These 20 early- and mid-career faculty receive this designation in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements and contributions to NC State through their teaching, scholarship and service to the university and beyond.

Since the program’s inception in 2012, 278 faculty have been named University Faculty Scholars. These faculty members carry the title for the duration of their faculty appointment at NC State and receive an increase to their base salary.

Each college may submit nominations for assistant professors appointed for a second term, associate professors and professors within the first three years of their appointment. Senior faculty then review nominations, evaluating them on research and scholarship productivity, excellence in teaching and mentoring, and leadership in extension, professional societies and public service initiatives.

This year’s class of University Faculty Scholars includes:

  • Tom Zagenczyk, professor, management, innovation and entrepreneurship
  • Justin Baker, associate professor of forestry and environmental resources
  • K.C. Busch, associate professor of STEM education
  • Wei-chen Chang, LORD Corporation Distinguished Scholar in Chemistry,
  • Matthew Fisher, associate professor of biomedical engineering
  • Christopher Galik, professor of public and international affairs
  • Luke Gatiboni, professor of crop and soil sciences
  • Khara Grieger, assistant professor of applied ecology
  • Lilian Hsiao, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering
  • Arun Kota, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering
  • Kavita Mathur, associate professor of textile and apparel, technology and management
  • Kelly Meiklejohn, associate professor of population health and pathobiology
  • Marie Muller, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering
  • David Rasmussen, associate professor of entomology and plant pathology
  • Jackie Relyea, assistant professor of teacher education and learning sciences
  • Yogesh Saini, professor of population health and pathobiology
  • Sonja Salmon, associate professor of textile engineering, chemistry and science
  • Mirela Tulbure, professor of forestry and environmental resources
  • Kelly Umstead, associate professor of graphic design and industrial design
  • Cheryl Xu, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering

This post was originally published in NC State News.