{"689972":{"#nid":"689972","#data":{"type":"news","title":"2026 Spring Sciences Celebration Honors Excellence and Service","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDownload photos from this year\u2019s Spring Sciences Celebration on the College of Sciences\u2019\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/flic.kr\/s\/aHBqjCRLyV\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFlickr\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe College of Sciences recognized faculty and staff excellence during the 2026 Spring Sciences Celebration. Held each spring on Tech Tower Lawn, this signature event also honors recent retirees.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cSpring Sciences is a time to celebrate exceptional members of our community,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lozier.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESusan Lozier\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, dean of the College of Sciences, Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair, and professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cWe thank this year\u2019s honorees for their outstanding contributions and dedication to our mission.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe 2026 honorees are:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFaculty Development Awards\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ECullen-Peck Scholar Awards\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ewere established by\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EFrank Cullen\u003C\/strong\u003E (Math 1973, M.S. ISyE 1976, Ph.D. ISyE 1984) and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EElizabeth Peck\u003C\/strong\u003E (Math 1975, M.S. ISyE 1976) to encourage the development of especially promising mid-career faculty.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWilliam Gutekunst\u003C\/strong\u003E, Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ED. Zeb Rocklin\u003C\/strong\u003E, Physics\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMinoru \u201cShino\u201d Shinohara\u003C\/strong\u003E, Biological Sciences\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EGretzinger Moving the School Forward Award\u003C\/strong\u003E, endowed by\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ERalph Gretzinger\u003C\/strong\u003E (Math 1970) and named in honor of his late wife,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EJewel\u003C\/strong\u003E, recognizes the leadership of a school chair or senior faculty member who has played a pivotal role in advancing equal opportunity in the composition of tenure-track faculty, fostering a family-friendly work environment, and providing a supportive environment for early-career faculty.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETiffiny Hughes-Troutman\u003C\/strong\u003E, Psychology\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EEric R. Immel Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching\u003C\/strong\u003E, endowed by\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ECharles Crawford\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E(Math 1971), recognizes exemplary teaching in foundational undergraduate courses. It honors the late School of Mathematics professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EEric R. Immel\u003C\/strong\u003E, who greatly influenced Crawford\u2019s undergraduate experience at the Institute.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZachary Handlos\u003C\/strong\u003E, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe\u003Cstrong\u003E CoS Faculty Mentor Awards\u003C\/strong\u003E, established jointly by the College of Sciences and its ADVANCE Professor, recognize the efforts and achievements of faculty members who mentor fellow faculty.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlexander Robel\u003C\/strong\u003E, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChongchun Zeng\u003C\/strong\u003E, Mathematics\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch Faculty Awards\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ECoS Outstanding Junior Research Faculty Award\u003C\/strong\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ECoS Outstanding Senior Research Faculty Award\u003C\/strong\u003E recognize postdoctoral and non-tenure-track research faculty whose exceptional research contributions have had a significant impact on their fields of study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECoS Outstanding Junior Research Faculty Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChaebin Kim\u003C\/strong\u003E, Physics\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECoS Outstanding Senior Research Faculty Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBrant Jones\u003C\/strong\u003E, Chemistry and Biochemistry\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ECoS Research Faculty Community Trailblazer Award\u003C\/strong\u003E recognizes postdoctoral and non-tenure-track research faculty who have demonstrated and sustained leadership that strengthens the sense of community among research faculty within the College.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDustin Huard\u003C\/strong\u003E, Chemistry and Biochemistry\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStaff Awards\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe College of Sciences Staff Awards are made possible by funding from the Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Dean\u2019s Chair endowment. These awards include:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ELeadership in Action Award\u003C\/strong\u003E recognizes a staff member who has made exceptional contributions to the College through innovative and strategic leadership, change management, business process improvement, special project leadership, and similar accomplishments.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeslie Roberts\u003C\/strong\u003E, College of Sciences Dean\u2019s Office\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EExceptional Staff Award\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eand the\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EFriend of the Sciences Award\u003C\/strong\u003E recognize performance above and beyond the call of duty. The awardees demonstrate high levels of execution in their primary job duties, auxiliary roles, and citizenship, positively impacting the strategic goals of the College.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExceptional Staff Award\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoshua Crowe\u003C\/strong\u003E, Biological Sciences\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFriend of the Sciences Award\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEme Anderson\u003C\/strong\u003E, Office of Sponsored Programs\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ERising Star Award\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ehonors a newer staff member who has made a significant impact during their short tenure by contributing to the strategic goals and initiatives of the College, showing passion for their work, and embracing the Institute\u2019s culture and values.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDrake Lee-Patterson\u003C\/strong\u003E, Biological Sciences\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2026 Retirees\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFaculty\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERafael Bras\u003C\/strong\u003E, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPredrag Cvitanovi\u0107\u003C\/strong\u003E, Physics\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMartin Jarrio\u003C\/strong\u003E, Physics\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMichael Loss\u003C\/strong\u003E, Mathematics\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cem\u003EStaff\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJudith Taylor\u003C\/strong\u003E, Mathematics\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe College of Sciences recognized faculty and staff excellence during this signature event.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The College of Sciences recognized faculty and staff excellence during this signature event."}],"uid":"36583","created_gmt":"2026-04-23 17:16:06","changed_gmt":"2026-04-24 21:44:55","author":"lvidal7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680044":{"id":"680044","type":"image","title":"2026 Spring Sciences Honorees","body":null,"created":"1776964578","gmt_created":"2026-04-23 17:16:18","changed":"1776965422","gmt_changed":"2026-04-23 17:30:22","alt":"Faculty and staff honorees hold their awards during a group photo in front of Tech Tower ","file":{"fid":"264278","name":"2026-Spring-Sciences-Honorees.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/23\/2026-Spring-Sciences-Honorees.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/23\/2026-Spring-Sciences-Honorees.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":8464175,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/23\/2026-Spring-Sciences-Honorees.jpg?itok=lK4XnJr_"}}},"media_ids":["680044"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/sciences-faculty-and-staff-receive-2026-institute-honors","title":"Sciences Faculty and Staff Receive 2026 Institute Honors"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"},{"id":"1279","name":"School of Mathematics"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"190386","name":"spring sciences celebration"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWriter: Lindsay C. Vidal\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["lvidal7@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}