This season, more than 30 College of Sciences faculty across all six schools and the Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience are recognized by the Institute for their excellence in research and teaching. 

Excellence in Research

Every year, Georgia Tech’s research enterprise celebrates the remarkable contributions of its extraordinary researchers. The Office of the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR) presents peer-nominated awards to exceptional faculty and staff for their commitment to “Research That Matters” — achievements fueled by a profound mission to advance science and technology for the betterment of society. 

This year, nearly 100 researchers were nominated for the 2024 EVPR Institute Research Awards spanning nine distinct categories that range from breakthroughs in innovation to community engagement and outreach. 

Joining a prestigious list of award winners dating back to 1986, 2024 College of Sciences award recipients include:

• Outstanding Faculty Research Author: Feryal Özel, professor and chair in the School of Physics
• Outstanding Achievement in Research Enterprise Enhancement: Anton Bryksin, Regents’ Researchers in the Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)

The EVPR Institute Research Awards will be presented at the Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon on Friday, April 26.

Excellence in Teaching

More than 15 College of Sciences faculty are recognized for their teaching excellence by Georgia Tech’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) in the Fall 2023 Course Instructor Opinion Survey (CIOS).

Using optional feedback from students, the survey serves to celebrate instructors who exhibit exceptional respect and concern for students, ability to stimulate interest in the subject matter of the course, and enthusiasm for course content.

Three College of Sciences faculty have won the Student Recognition of Excellence in Teaching: CIOS Awards, which recognizes instructors with exceptional response rates (at least 85%) and scores on CIOS. The CIOS score used to determine winners of the award is based on the sum of three scale items: instructor’s respect and concern for students; instructor’s level of enthusiasm about teaching the course; and instructor’s ability to stimulate interest in the subject matter.

College of Sciences recipients of the Fall 2023 “Student Recognition of Excellence in Teaching: CIOS Awards” include:

Small Classes:

• Tiffiny Hughes-Troutman, professor of the practice, program director for the Minor in Science of Mental Health and Well-Being, School of Psychology

Large Classes:

• Adam Decker, senior academic professional and director of Anatomical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences
• Dobromir Rahnev, associate professor, School of Psychology

Additionally, 30 College of Sciences faculty are named to the Student Recognition of Excellence in Teaching: Class of 1934 CIOS Honor Roll for Fall 2023. The Honor Roll is comprised of faculty who have at least a 70% response rate and place in the top 25% of the composite CIOS scores of three questions related to instructor concern for students, ability to stimulate interest in subject matter, and enthusiasm for course content.  

College of Sciences recipients of the Fall 2023 “Student Recognition of Excellence in Teaching: Class of 1934 CIOS Honor Roll” include:

Small Classes: 

• Biological Sciences:
  • Samuel Brown, professor 
  • Young-Hui Chang, professor and associate dean for Faculty Development in the College of Sciences 
  • Cristian Crisan, postdoctoral researcher 
  • Stephen Diggle, professor and director of the Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection 
  • Colin Harrison, senior academic professional 
  • Julia Kubanek, professor and vice president for Interdisciplinary Research for Georgia Tech
• Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Sven Simon, professor, director of Teaching Effectiveness
• Mathematics:
  • Austin Christian, postdoctoral researcher 
  • Jonathan Simone, visiting assistant professor
• Neuroscience:
  • Matthew Nusnbaum, senior academic professional 
  • Haley Steele, visiting lecturer
• Psychology:
  • Tiffiny Hughes-Troutman, professor of the practice and program director for the Minor in Science of Mental Health and Well-Being 
  • James Roberts, associate professor

Large Classes:

• Biological Sciences:
  • Mirjana Brockett, senior academic professional 
  • Adam Decker, senior academic professional and director of Anatomical Sciences
  • Robert Richards, postdoctoral researcher
• Chemistry and Biochemistry:
  • David Collard, professor and senior associate dean in the College of Sciences 
  • Pamela Pollet, senior research scientist 
  • Marckace Rainey, Ph.D. student 
  • Anthony Rojas, academic professional
• Earth and Atmospheric Science: Chris Reinhard, associate professor and Georgia Power Chair
• Mathematics:
  • Zach Walsh, Hale Visiting Assistant Professor 
  • Haiyu Zou, lecturer
• Neuroscience: Christina Ragan, lecturer, School of Biological Sciences
• Psychology:
  • Meghan Babcock, academic professional 
  • Tansu Celikel, school chair and professor 
  • Scott Moffat, professor 
  • Dobromir Rahnev, associate professor 
  • William Stern, academic professional

Learn more about the Center for Teaching and Learning