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  <title><![CDATA[Georgia Tech Awards Highlight Faculty Advancing Neuroscience, Technology, and Society]]></title>
  <body><![CDATA[<p>Georgia Tech faculty affiliated with the <a href="https://neuro.gatech.edu/">Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society</a> (INNS) were recognized this awards season for excellence spanning research, teaching, mentoring, and interdisciplinary engagement.</p><p>Presented across multiple institutes, colleges, and campus programs, these honors celebrate faculty whose work advances discovery, education, and societal impact at Georgia Tech and beyond.</p><p>“INNS is built around the idea that solving complex challenges requires excellence across disciplines and domains,” said <a href="https://ece.gatech.edu/directory/christopher-john-rozell">Christopher Rozell</a>, INNS executive director and professor in the <a href="https://ece.gatech.edu/">School of Electrical and Computer Engineering</a>. “These awardees exemplify that vision through their leadership in research, teaching, and service. We are proud to recognize the contributions our affiliates are making across campus.”</p><p>Considered among Georgia Tech’s most competitive internal honors, these awards rely on peer‑driven selection processes that highlight innovation, mentorship, and measurable impact. This year’s recipients include faculty recognized for strengthening major research initiatives, advancing undergraduate education, and fostering interdisciplinary scholarship.</p><p>Another form of Institute recognition are tenure promotions. INNS is pleased to celebrate several faculty awarded tenure this spring, reflecting their sustained contributions to research, teaching, and leadership at Georgia Tech.</p><h2>INNS Affiliated Award Recipients</h2><h4>Outstanding Achievement in Research Program Impact Award</h4><p><a href="https://spp.gatech.edu/people/person/justin-biddle"><strong>Justin Biddle</strong></a><br>Associate Professor, <a href="https://spp.gatech.edu/">Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy</a>, <a href="https://iac.gatech.edu/">Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts</a></p><p>Recognizes a faculty‑ and staff‑led research team whose innovative program has significantly expanded Georgia Tech’s research portfolio, demonstrating measurable impact, broad influence, and meaningful engagement with external partners across academic, industry, and community sectors.</p><h4>Undergraduate Educator Award</h4><p><a href="https://psychology.gatech.edu/people/tiffiny-hughes-troutman"><strong>Tiffiny Hughes‑Troutman</strong></a><br>Professor of the Practice, <a href="https://psychology.gatech.edu/">School of Psychology</a>, <a href="https://cos.gatech.edu/">College of Sciences</a></p><p>Honors excellence in undergraduate education and impactful teaching practices that support student learning and engagement.</p><h4>Excellence in Teaching Recognition: Annual CIOS Award</h4><p><a href="https://neuro.gatech.edu/user/1322"><strong>Katharine McCann</strong></a><br>Director of Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience, <a href="https://neuroscience.cos.gatech.edu/">Undergraduate Degree Program in Neuroscience</a>, College of Sciences</p><p>Recognized for excellence in teaching NEUR 4803: Special Topics – Neuroscience of Addiction, highlighting innovative and engaging approaches to neuroscience education.</p><h4>Junior Faculty Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award</h4><p><a href="https://biosciences.gatech.edu/people/farzaneh-najafi"><strong>Farzaneh Najafi</strong></a><br>Assistant Professor, <a href="https://biosciences.gatech.edu/">School of Biological Sciences</a>, College of Sciences</p><p>Honors exceptional mentorship of undergraduate researchers and a strong commitment to fostering student‑driven scholarship and research engagement.</p><h4>Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Advisor – Faculty Advisor</h4><p><a href="https://biosciences.gatech.edu/people/haley-steele"><strong>Haley Steele</strong></a><br>Director of Communication, Undergraduate Degree Program in Neuroscience, College of Sciences</p><p>Recognizes excellence in undergraduate advising through dedicated student support, clear communication, and program leadership within the neuroscience major.</p><h4>Class of 1934 Outstanding Interdisciplinary Activities Award</h4><p><a href="https://iac.gatech.edu/people/person/jennifer-singh"><strong>Jennifer Singh</strong></a><br>Associate Chair and Associate Professor, <a href="https://hsoc.gatech.edu/">School of History and Sociology</a>, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts</p><p>Honors leadership in interdisciplinary teaching, research, and service that bridges disciplinary boundaries and advances cross‑cutting scholarship.</p><p><em>Click to view other award recipients for&nbsp;</em><a href="https://research.gatech.edu/2026-georgia-tech-research-awards"><em>institute research awards</em></a><em>,&nbsp;</em><a href="https://blog.ctl.gatech.edu/2026/03/18/instructors-who-inspire-celebrating-the-2025-cios-award-winners/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=Celebrating%20CIOS%20Award%20Winners&amp;utm_campaign=The%20Whistle%20-%20March%2030%2C%202026"><em>excellence in teaching awards</em></a><em>, and&nbsp;</em><a href="https://Outstanding%20Employees%20Honored%20at%20Annual%20Luncheon"><em>faculty and staff awards</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Newly Tenured or Promoted INNS Faculty Affiliates</h2><h4>Promoted to Professor</h4><p><a href="https://neuro.gatech.edu/user/1342"><strong>Patrick T. McGrath</strong></a>, School of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences</p><h4>Awarded Tenure</h4><ul><li><a href="https://neuro.gatech.edu/user/1157"><strong>Hannah Choi</strong></a>, <a href="https://math.gatech.edu/">School of Mathematics</a>, College of Sciences</li><li><a href="https://neuro.gatech.edu/user/1333"><strong>Christopher MacLellan</strong></a><strong>,</strong> <a href="https://www.ic.gatech.edu/">School of Interactive Computing</a>, <a href="https://www.cc.gatech.edu/">College of Computing</a></li><li><a href="https://neuro.gatech.edu/user/1295"><strong>Leandro Miletto Tonetto</strong></a><strong>,</strong> <a href="https://id.gatech.edu/">School of Industrial Design</a>, <a href="https://design.gatech.edu/">College of Design</a></li><li><a href="https://neuro.gatech.edu/user/1314"><strong>Hongchen Wu</strong></a><strong>,</strong> <a href="https://modlangs.gatech.edu/">School of Modern Languages</a>, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts</li></ul><p><em>Click to view all&nbsp;</em><a href="https://cos.gatech.edu/news/honoring-faculty-promotions-spring-2026"><em>newly promoted faculty</em></a><em>.</em></p>]]></body>
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      <value>2026-05-05T00:00:00-04:00</value>
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      <value><![CDATA[Faculty affiliated with the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society were honored this season for excellence in research impact, teaching, mentoring, and interdisciplinary engagement.]]></value>
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      <value><![CDATA[<p>Faculty affiliated with the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society were honored this season for excellence in research impact, teaching, mentoring, and interdisciplinary engagement.</p>]]></value>
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            <body><![CDATA[<p>Presented across multiple institutes, colleges, and campus programs, these honors celebrate faculty whose work advances discovery, education, and societal impact at Georgia Tech and beyond.</p>]]></body>
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                  <image_alt><![CDATA[Two people stand in front of a themed background smiling while one holds an award. Someone else takes their photo as everyone celebrates.]]></image_alt>
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      <email><![CDATA[audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu]]></email>
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      <value><![CDATA[<p><a href="mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu">Audra Davidson</a><br>Research Communications Program Manager<br>Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS)</p>]]></value>
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