Honors and awards
April 2025
Engineering faculty receive NSF CAREER awards
Two College of Engineering faculty members have received National Science Foundation CAREER Awards, the NSF's most prestigious award for early-career faculty. They are:
- Luke Roling, assistant professor and Jack R. and Carol A. Johnson Faculty Fellow in chemical and biological engineering, for a project that uses computational modeling to design new electrocatalysts to convert nitrate to inert nitrogen gas or ammonia, addressing nitrate pollution from industrial wastewater and agricultural runoff.
- Cheng Wang, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, for a project to develop scalable, energy-efficient hardware systems that can support AI's growing computational demands in energy consumption and resource use.
First recipients of youth program awards are selected
Risk Management has announced the inaugural recipients of its annual Youth Program Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions (during 2024) to youth development and leadership for ISU-sponsored youth programs. They are:
- Youth Program Leader of the Year (an individual who has created impactful and memorable experiences for both youth participants and volunteers): Alexis Campbell, director, Science Bound
- Outstanding Youth Program of the Year (a program that stands out for its creativity, effectiveness, culture of safety and overall positive contribution to youth development): ADMYRE (Advocating for My Relationships), department of human development and family studies
- Youth Program Staff Member of the Year (an employee or volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and effort, supporting the youth program's success in every way possible): Molly Barten, youth and family education coordinator, Reiman Gardens
Collins named fellow of materials science society
Peter Collins, professor of materials science and engineering and the Stanley Chair in Interdisciplinary Engineering, has been named a fellow of the Alpha Sigma Mu, an international professional society for the field of materials science and engineering. The designation recognizes significant accomplishments and contributions to the materials science and engineering profession and service to Alpha Sigma Mu.
Burgin wins leadership award
Amy Burgin, chair of the ecology, evolution and organismal biology department, was the 2025 Leadership Award recepient from the Society for Freshwater Science (SFS). The SFS Leadership Award recognizes early- or mid-career members for extraordinary work on behalf of the society. It is not awarded every year and only granted to exceptional nominees.
Financial aid staff receive state service awards
The office of student financial aid and two staff members received awards from the the Iowa Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators at the group's April conference. They are:
- The office of student financial aid received the John E. Moore Award, which recognizes a financial aid office demonstrating the highest standards of service and commitment to its students and community.
- Mary Jacobsen, business systems analyst in the new office of student information, received the John Heisner Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor the association bestows on an individual member for significant contributions over an extended period of time.
- Jacob Severn, financial aid advisor, received the Outstanding New Professional Award, which recognizes the achievements of a financial aid professional in the profession five years or less who has made outstanding contributions to the association or the profession.
Shelley named outstanding journal reviewer
Mack Shelley, University Professor of political science and of statistics, has received an Outstanding Reviewer Award from MDPI for his work on Nutrients, an international, open-access journal focused on human nutrition. The award recognizes reviewers who generously contribute their time to review papers and display thoroughness, professionalism and timeliness in their work. Winners were selected from Nutrients' 5,648 reviewers in 2024. MDPI is a publisher of peer-reviewed, open access journals.
University receives Tree Campus USA award
Iowa State University received the 2024 Tree Campus USA award, presented by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The award reflects campus planning and campus services' commitment to educating and engaging students and the community about the benefits of trees and demonstrating excellence in tree management. Iowa State is one of just 10 Tree Campus USA award winners in Iowa. To qualify, a campus must, at a minimum, have a tree advisory committee, tree care plan, tree program with dedicated annual expenditures, annual Arbor Day observance and a service learning project to engage its student body.
Lauren Schalinske is student employee supervisor of the year
Gansemer-Topf honored for work in higher education
Ann Gansemer-Topf, School of Education director and Frances S. and Arthur L. Wallace Professor, received a prestigious Pillars of the Profession award by the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Foundation. The award recognizes individuals who have served as leaders, mentors, and scholars in student affairs and higher education.
