The College of LAS has honored 17 professors with named scholar and professorship positions in recognition of their contributions to research and education at the University of Illinois.
The named positions include the Brad and Karen Smith Scholars, the Lincoln Excellence for Assistant Professors (LEAP) Scholars, the Lynn M. Martin Professorial Scholars, the Norman P. Jones Professorial Scholars, the Clayton and Thelma Kirkpatrick Professorships, and the LAS Distinguished Professorial Scholars. The awardees are as follows:
Brad and Karen Smith Scholars
The Brad and Karen Smith Scholar recognizes those who demonstrate expertise and academic abilities in mathematics. Selected faculty hold this title for three years and receive a funding award for their research within mathematical sciences.
The recipients are Zhiyu (Frank) Quan, mathematics; Daniel Berwick-Evans, mathematics; and Jesse Thorner, mathematics.
Lincoln Excellence for Assistant Professors (LEAP) Scholars
The LEAP award is presented to early-career faculty to recognize their scholarly productivity and contributions to the educational mission of their departments and the College of LAS. These scholars hold the title for two years and receive discretionary research funding each year.
The recipients are Marynia Aniela Kolak, geography and geographic information science; Joe Sanfilippo, biochemistry; Ángel García, English; Anna Mendoza, linguistics; Jose Atiles Osoria, sociology; Susu Zhang, psychology; Mark Jason Lara, plant biology; and Salvatore Callesano, Spanish and Portuguese.
Lynn M. Martin Professorial Scholars
The Lynn M. Martin Professorial Scholar recognizes extraordinary women teachers. Recipients hold the title for three years and receive discretionary research funding for each of those years.
The recipients are Avital Livny, political science; and Lili Sahakyan, psychology.
Norman P. Jones Professorial Scholars
The Norman P. Jones Professorial Scholar acknowledges remarkable tenured faculty who are mid-career. Chosen faculty hold the title for three years and receive discretionary research funding respectively for each of those years.
The recipients are Francina Dominguez, climate, meteorology, and atmospheric sciences; and Gisela Sin, political science.
LAS Distinguished Professorial Scholars
The LAS Distinguished Professorial Scholar award is awarded to excellent faculty who are under consideration to be promoted from associate to full professor. Receivers hold the title for one academic year along with a funding award for their research and teaching.
The recipients are Xun Yan, linguistics, and Justine S. Murison, English.
