Cultivating a Research-Driven Community: Recognition, Motivation, and Collaboration at IU Indy

Validation and recognition of the work we do not only motivates the recipient but also inspires others by providing role models to follow.

This week, I had the privilege of attending the IU Indianapolis Research Faculty Networking Social organized by Dr. Phaedra Corso and her team. From the venue (the AMP at 16 Tech) to the format to the conversations that followed the presentations, it was a treat for all who attended. Importantly, nine faculty who received the National Science Foundation (NSF) Career Award or National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Career Development (K) Award were recognized and they presented a brief overview of their research:

• Julia Arciero: NSF Career Award, School of Science
• Helen Fu: NIH K Award, Fairbanks School of Public Health
• Miyeon Jung: NIH K Award, School of Nursing
• Sebastien Laulhe: NSF Career Award, School of Science
• Aqueasha Martin-Hammond: NSF Career Award, Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
• Alexandru Movila: NIH K Award, School of Dentistry
• Allison Scully: NIH K Award, School of Dentistry
• Heather Taylor: NIH K Award, Fairbanks School of Public Health
• Jack Qingxue Zhang: NSF Career Award, Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering

And while the faculty mentioned above were at the social, I want to recognize all current IU Indy faculty who have received the NSF Career Award or the NIH K Award:

• Frederique Deiss: NSF Career Award, School of Science
• Andrew Miller: NSF Career Award, Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
• Khairi Reda: NSF Career Award, Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
• Ian Webb: NSF Career Award, School of Science
• Jingwen Yan: NSF Career Award, Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering

For an institution that is not yet but will soon be a Research 1 University, it is noteworthy for IU Indy to have as many early career award winners as we do. The NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. Activities pursued by early-career faculty should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research. The NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from early-career faculty at all CAREER-eligible organizations and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply.

The NIH offers multiple types of K awards that are designed to support scientists as they develop their research skills and become independent investigators. These awards will provide individual and institutional research training opportunities (including international) to trainees at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels.

IU Indy’s STEM Education Innovation & Research Institute (SEIRI), led by Dr. Pratibha Varma-Nelson, assists in the development of the educational plan required for many of these awards. SEIRI serves as the hub of STEM education innovation, bringing together expert researchers to reform undergraduate and graduate education on campus and beyond.

Speaking to our faculty at the social, the enthusiasm and commitment to their research was palpable. Not only were they passionately curious about the questions they are exploring, but they also wanted to learn about the work of their colleagues.

Congratulations to all our award recipients and thanks to all who attended. My sincere gratitude and kudos to Phaedra and her team, including SEIRI, for making our Tuesday afternoon a true joy. If you are new to IU (or not) and are interested in learning more about the research support that Phaedra and her team at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research provides, please reach out to them at research@iu.edu.

Go Jags!

Latha Ramchand
Chancellor