{"id":149001,"date":"2025-05-06T21:19:47","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T02:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=149001"},"modified":"2025-05-06T21:19:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T02:19:50","slug":"top-researchers-scholars-honored-with-inaugural-university-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/top-researchers-scholars-honored-with-inaugural-university-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Researchers, Scholars Honored with Inaugural University Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Breese Quinn receives Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>By Clara Turnage<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;A dozen outstanding faculty members at the <strong>University of Mississippi <\/strong>were recognized Tuesday, April 29, at the inaugural <strong>Chancellor&#8217;s Awards for Research and Creative Scholarship<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The event, held at<strong> The Inn at Ole Miss<\/strong>, recognized faculty whose work has elevated the university&#8217;s research and creative scholarship profile and contributed to its&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tracking.us.nylas.com\/l\/02dd0dd378ed49e4843f17993ba62078\/1\/5d2eee2c4a54c46acd7e4ba338bc32d692f3fabb376e463f7836ac1dc9367a29?cache_buster=1746119929\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">R1 designation,<\/a>&nbsp;a classification for institutions with the highest levels of research activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;As you progress in your careers, I once again encourage you to keep nurturing the drive and the yearning that led you here,&#8221; <strong>Chancellor Glenn Boyce <\/strong>told the honorees. &#8220;You are and can be the most inspirational voices on this campus. Keep setting that bar high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We need you to continue to be the example not just for your students, but for our young researchers, too. Help them change the world.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-149003\" data-id=\"149003\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Breese-Quinn.jpg?resize=640%2C427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Breese-Quinn-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Breese-Quinn-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Breese-Quinn-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Breese-Quinn-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Breese-Quinn-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Breese-Quinn-scaled.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Breese-Quinn-scaled.jpg?w=1920 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Breese Quinn, professor of physics and astronomy and director of the Center for Multi-messenger Astrophysics at the University of Mississippi, is the 2025 winner of the Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award, the highest research award the university bestows. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay\/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-149004\" data-id=\"149004\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Hammer-award.jpg?resize=640%2C426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Hammer-award-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Hammer-award-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Hammer-award-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Hammer-award-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1022&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Hammer-award-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1363&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Hammer-award-scaled.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Hammer-award-scaled.jpg?w=1920 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce (left) and John Higginbotham (right), vice chancellor for research and economic development, present Nathan Hammer with a UM Inventor award at the inaugural Chancellor\u2019s Awards for Research and Creative Scholarship. Hammer, the Margaret McLean Coulter Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, represented a team of researchers who obtained a U.S. patent for technology they developed on campus. Photo by Bill Dabney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-149005\" data-id=\"149005\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Repka-award.jpg?resize=640%2C426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Repka-award-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Repka-award-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Repka-award-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Repka-award-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1022&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Repka-award-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1362&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Repka-award-scaled.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Repka-award-scaled.jpg?w=1920 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce (left) and John Higginbotham (right), vice chancellor for research and economic development, present Michael Repka with a UM Inventor award at the inaugural Chancellor\u2019s Awards for Research and Creative Scholarship. Repka, distinguished professor of pharmaceutics and drug delivery and director of the Pii Center for Pharmaceutical Technology, represented a team of researchers who obtained a U.S. patent for technology they pioneered on campus. Photo by Bill Dabney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Breese Quinn<\/strong>, professor of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tracking.us.nylas.com\/l\/02dd0dd378ed49e4843f17993ba62078\/2\/fb3a0731fdab062d860ade5d711a1511e7e4ed4cef05c6b342011276e7e5b1d0?cache_buster=1746119929\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">physics and astronomy<\/a>&nbsp;and director of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tracking.us.nylas.com\/l\/02dd0dd378ed49e4843f17993ba62078\/3\/51303e9387e8fb57bf9d41797735bb4c810a99c781cfd7b3b2c1d21da50e3593?cache_buster=1746119929\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Center for Multi-messenger Astrophysics<\/strong><\/a>, received the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tracking.us.nylas.com\/l\/02dd0dd378ed49e4843f17993ba62078\/4\/40a785a921d2a0ac06361f88397fd89c9b276b66a7e156f719bb1dd16af660ed?cache_buster=1746119929\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award<\/strong><\/a>. This longstanding award honors a faculty member who has achieved national or international recognition for work in their field with a plaque and monetary award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Quinn, who joined the Ole Miss faculty in 2004, has authored more than 475 research publications and his career is marked by awards and accolades for his work. He was the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tracking.us.nylas.com\/l\/02dd0dd378ed49e4843f17993ba62078\/5\/0e76aac710b09a906c192db4d3debf70836d6399104d240348cdc92c2cf68013?cache_buster=1746119929\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">first Mississippian named<\/a>&nbsp;to the U.S. <strong>Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation<\/strong>&#8216;s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tracking.us.nylas.com\/l\/02dd0dd378ed49e4843f17993ba62078\/6\/ad669862b7de3f0980732ae65708ea2dd2163aa840ce3323f9b71bdca6b458d2?cache_buster=1746119929\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">High Energy Physics Advisory Panel<\/a>&nbsp;and has worked at the Department of Energy&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tracking.us.nylas.com\/l\/02dd0dd378ed49e4843f17993ba62078\/7\/e0abcd6636f7325224473d1a166f6a585eac42379590265f71413bebe69ac265?cache_buster=1746119929\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Fermilab<\/strong><\/a>, a leading particle physics and accelerator laboratory near Chicago, for&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/olemiss.edu\/news\/2024\/06\/fermilab-impact-feature\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more than 35 years<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Dr. Quinn exemplifies what it means to be a leading researcher and mentor,&#8221; said <strong>John C. Higginbotham<\/strong>, vice chancellor for research and economic development. &#8220;His work in particle physics and his dedication to students have brought national attention to our university and inspired the next generation of scientists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;This award honors not just his extraordinary work, but the way his work elevates our university and our students.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tracking.us.nylas.com\/l\/02dd0dd378ed49e4843f17993ba62078\/8\/605d0c612f9ccb676d1405bae261ebf8e177f8e9000913cfe049de2281b683ee?cache_buster=1746119929\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Office of Technology Commercialization<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;recognized <strong>Nathan Hammer<\/strong>, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tracking.us.nylas.com\/l\/02dd0dd378ed49e4843f17993ba62078\/9\/742928a26a5d76b89ff5fb31be6f3ca7ff298bdb5f1130deaa7507473435d994?cache_buster=1746119929\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Margaret McLean Coulter Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry<\/strong>,<\/a>&nbsp;and <strong>Michael Repka<\/strong>, distinguished professor of pharmaceutics and drug delivery and director of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tracking.us.nylas.com\/l\/02dd0dd378ed49e4843f17993ba62078\/10\/b1ac8ed640b491437fdc9a8e6358cfe0ddb3b3676a2522c4891e361325b22221?cache_buster=1746119929\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Pii Center for Pharmaceutical Technology<\/strong><\/a>, as UM Inventors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both Hammer and Repka lead teams that that earned U.S. patents last year. Hammer&#8217;s team patented NIR-II dyes, compounds that can help researchers image biomolecules in deep tissue imaging. Repka&#8217;s team developed a new method for making solid medications using a dry process, which can aid in making high-dose medicines or those that could be damaged by water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hammer and Repka were awarded with plaques with each of the inventors&#8217; names and the first page of the patent engraved on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-149011\" data-id=\"149011\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-award-1.jpg?resize=640%2C426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1022&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1363&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-award-1-scaled.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-award-1-scaled.jpg?w=1920 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce (left) and John Higginbotham (right), vice chancellor for research and economic development, present Jacob Justice with a Chancellor\u2019s Award for Research and Creative Scholarship. Justice, assistant professor of speech communication, was honored in the arts and humanities division. Photo by Bill Dabney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-149008\" data-id=\"149008\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Allen-award.jpg?resize=640%2C426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Allen-award-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Allen-award-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Allen-award-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Allen-award-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1022&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Allen-award-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1363&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Allen-award-scaled.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Allen-award-scaled.jpg?w=1920 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce (left) and John Higginbotham (right), vice chancellor for research and economic development, present Hannah Allen with a Chancellor\u2019s Award for Research and Creative Scholarship. Allen, assistant professor of public health, was honored in the social and behavioral sciences division. Photo by Bill Dabney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-149010\" data-id=\"149010\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kang-award.jpg?resize=640%2C426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kang-award-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kang-award-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kang-award-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kang-award-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1022&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kang-award-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1363&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kang-award-scaled.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kang-award-scaled.jpg?w=1920 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce (left) and John Higginbotham (right), vice chancellor for research and economic development present Minsoo Kang with a Chancellor\u2019s Award for Research and Creative Scholarship. Kang, professor of health, exercise science and recreation management, was honored in the social and behavioral sciences division. Photo by Bill Dabney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-149012\" data-id=\"149012\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Zhang-award-1.jpg?resize=640%2C426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Zhang-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Zhang-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Zhang-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Zhang-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1022&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Zhang-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1363&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Zhang-award-1-scaled.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Zhang-award-1-scaled.jpg?w=1920 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce (left) and John Higginbotham (right), vice chancellor for research and economic development, present Saijun Zhang with a Chancellor\u2019s Award for Research and Creative Scholarship. Zhang, associate professor of social work, was honored in the social and behavioral sciences division. Photo by Bill Dabney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The inaugural Awards for Research and Creative Scholarship highlighted faculty members in multiple categories, including arts and humanities; social and behavioral sciences; and life science, physical science, math, or engineering. Each recipient received a trophy and monetary award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;While it&#8217;s easy to look back on a long career and see the impact a faculty member has made, it&#8217;s sometimes harder to see progress as it&#8217;s happening,&#8221;<strong> Provost Noel Wilkin<\/strong> said. &#8220;Each step from assistant to associate then full professor creates an arc of accomplishments that deserves to be recognized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The chancellor saw the need to highlight outstanding faculty throughout their careers, and so we created the Awards for Research and Creative Scholarship.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the arts and humanities awards, the university recognized<strong> Jacob Justice<\/strong>, assistant professor of speech communication, and <strong>Deborah Mower<\/strong>, professor of philosophy and religion and director of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tracking.us.nylas.com\/l\/02dd0dd378ed49e4843f17993ba62078\/11\/6d6e713eba4d8c2bf4003b5ca33e31a9b4a98cff2290eb47451f53ef237ea71e?cache_buster=1746119929\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Center for Practical Ethics<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the social and behavioral sciences awards, the honorees are<strong> Hannah Allen<\/strong>, assistant professor of public health; <strong>Saijun Zhang<\/strong>, associate professor of social work; and <strong>Minsoo Kang<\/strong>, professor of health, exercise science, and recreation management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For life science, physical science, math, or engineering, the chancellor recognized <strong>Eden Tanner<\/strong>, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry; <strong>Sasan Nouranian<\/strong>, associate professor of chemical engineering; <strong>Nikki Reinemann<\/strong>, associate professor of biomedical engineering; and <strong>Gregg Roman<\/strong>, professor of pharmacology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Whether it&#8217;s through groundbreaking science, artistic insight or social impact, the faculty honored tonight are changing the face of this university,&#8221; Higginbotham said. &#8220;Their work doesn&#8217;t just add to academic knowledge; it builds a foundation for future discovery, collaboration and leadership on our campus.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-149013\" data-id=\"149013\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tanner-award-scaled.jpg?resize=640%2C426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tanner-award-scaled.jpg?w=2560&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tanner-award-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tanner-award-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tanner-award-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tanner-award-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1022&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tanner-award-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1363&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tanner-award-scaled.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tanner-award-scaled.jpg?w=1920 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce (left) and John Higginbotham (right), vice chancellor for research and economic development, present Eden Tanner with a Chancellor\u2019s Award for Research and Creative Scholarship. Tanner, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, was honored in the life science, physical science, math or engineering division. Photo by Bill Dabney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-149014\" data-id=\"149014\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nouranian-award-scaled.jpg?resize=640%2C426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nouranian-award-scaled.jpg?w=2560&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nouranian-award-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nouranian-award-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nouranian-award-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nouranian-award-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1022&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nouranian-award-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1363&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nouranian-award-scaled.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nouranian-award-scaled.jpg?w=1920 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce (left) and John Higginbotham (right), vice chancellor for research and economic development, present Sasan Nouranian with a Chancellor\u2019s Award for Research and Creative Scholarship. Nouranian, associate professor of chemical engineering, was honored in the life science, physical science, math or engineering division. Photo by Bill Dabney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-149017\" data-id=\"149017\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Reinemann-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=640%2C426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Reinemann-award-1-scaled.jpg?w=2560&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Reinemann-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Reinemann-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Reinemann-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Reinemann-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1022&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Reinemann-award-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1363&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Reinemann-award-1-scaled.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Reinemann-award-1-scaled.jpg?w=1920 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce (left) and John Higginbotham (right), vice chancellor for research and economic development, present Nikki Reinemann with a Chancellor\u2019s Award for Research and Creative Scholarship. Reinemann, associate professor of biomedical engineering, was honored in the life science, physical science, math or engineering division. Photo by Bill Dabney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-149016\" data-id=\"149016\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Roman-award-scaled.jpg?resize=640%2C426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Roman-award-scaled.jpg?w=2560&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Roman-award-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Roman-award-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Roman-award-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Roman-award-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1022&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Roman-award-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1363&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Roman-award-scaled.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Roman-award-scaled.jpg?w=1920 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce (left) and John Higginbotham (right), vice chancellor for research and economic development, present Gregg Roman with a Chancellor\u2019s Award for Research and Creative Scholarship. Roman, professor of pharmacology, was honored in the life science, physical science, math or engineering division. Photo by Bill Dabney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/TheLocalVoiceLigature-25web.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"25\" height=\"16\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/TheLocalVoiceLigature-25web.jpg?resize=25%2C16\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14544\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Breese Quinn receives Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award By Clara Turnage &nbsp;A dozen outstanding faculty members at<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123462,"featured_media":149002,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25263],"tags":[21492,16082,19749,17600,26748,21204,29472,27094,31797,5,642,19741,14749,7067,4,23637,655],"class_list":["post-149001","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-university-news","tag-breese-quinn","tag-chancellor-glenn-boyce","tag-deborah-mower","tag-gregg-roman","tag-hannah-allen","tag-jacob-justice","tag-john-higginbotham","tag-michael-repka","tag-minoo-kang","tag-mississippi","tag-ms","tag-nathan-hammer","tag-noel-wilkin","tag-ole-miss","tag-oxford","tag-sasan-nouranian","tag-university-of-mississippi"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Chancellor-Glenn-Boyce-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1703&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149001","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/123462"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=149001"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149001\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":149019,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149001\/revisions\/149019"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/149002"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=149001"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=149001"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=149001"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}