ECU honors leaders in research, creative activity and innovation

ECU honors leaders in research, creative activity and innovation

East Carolina University honored more than 60 scholars, researchers and innovators for their impactful work on April 9 during the Research and Scholarship Awards Ceremony. University leaders, faculty, staff and students gathered to recognize those who have made significant contributions to their fields, elevated ECU's research status, and advanced its mission of public service and regional transformation.

Chancellor Philip Rogers opened the ceremony, reminding attendees that it was one year ago that the ECU celebrated its designation as a Research 1 (R1) university by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The designation places ECU among the top 5% of research universities nationwide.

Rogers acknowledged that higher education institutions are operating amid uncertainty and change, especially in the research space. However, he said the university will continue to honor the hard work, growth and continued commitment to expanding knowledge through research and creative activity.

"Tonight, we will highlight the incredible and impactful mark that you make on this region, this state and this world," he said. "Your work is what propels us forward. You are a game changer, and you make me proud to serve alongside you as we meet the challenges of today and prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow."

Dr. Sharon Paynter, senior vice provost for research and innovation, remarked on the broader impact of the university's research activities and shared something she feels is not stated enough.

"Thank you," she said. "Thank you for continuing to ask impactful questions, navigating complexity, solving problems and keeping projects moving forward - even when the path was uncertain."

"Behind every award we celebrate tonight is a network - faculty, research administrators, students and partners - building discoveries, advancing ideas and translating them into impact, together," Paynter said.

The annual Research and Scholarship Awards Ceremony honors the outstanding achievements of artists, scholars, researchers and innovators at ECU. The event celebrates the faculty whose research and creative endeavors are making a lasting impact, enriching students' lives and shaping the future of our region and the world.

Celebrating Excellence

Dr. Yong-Qing Li, professor of physics in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, was recognized with the highest research honor bestowed by the university - the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity. The award reflects Li's 27 years of scientific contributions to the department's biomedical physics doctoral degree.

Throughout his career at ECU, Li has attained more than $4.5 million in external research funding to support projects in physics, optics and biomedical research from agencies including the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense. He has published more than 170 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers across the disciplines of physics and microbiology. His pioneering work integrating optical trapping with Raman spectroscopy led to the invention of laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy (LTRS).

Dr. Adam Offenbacher, associate professor of chemistry in Harriot College, was awarded the Five-Year Research and Creative Activity Award. Since joining ECU in August 2017, Offenbacher has secured nearly $2 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and other global industry partners. He has published 33 peer-reviewed articles and one book chapter.

His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms for how proteins and enzymes function, which has important implications for the development of improved (next-generation) anti-inflammatory drugs for human diseases and pathologies, as well as protein design that can be employed as "green" catalysts for industrial applications. One of the niche areas of Offenbacher's research is quantum biology - or understanding how nature incorporates and enhances non-trivial quantum phenomena in biological function. One example of such a case is animal migration through magnetoreception - the process of sensing the weak magnetic field of the Earth.

Dr. Leslie Cofie, associate professor of health education and promotion in the College of Health and Human Performance, received the Scholarship of Engagement Award for his community-focused research that addresses digital equity, health access and community well-being. Cofie's work promotes digital opportunities and health access for communities in rural counties across the state, including agricultural workers and low-income households.

One of Cofie's research projects was supported by the State Office of Digital Opportunity, offering digital literacy-skills trainings and technology resources such as hotspots for residents throughout eastern North Carolina. This collaborative project has positively impacted community members and was implemented through partnership with public libraries, community-based organizations, senior centers, churches, health centers and community health workers. ECU's $1.39 million award was part of $9.9 million in funding announced for the state's first digital equity grant.

Honoring Top Contributors

The Excellence in Research Administration Award honors research administrators for their integral role in advancing the university's research productivity. These professionals support all stages of the research process, from securing funding to ensuring compliance and promoting a strong and efficient research culture. This year's winners were Janice McGowan, grants and contracts manager for the Office of Research Administration, and SammyJo Fly, grants and contracts administrator for the Office of Research Administration.

The Order of the Anchor honors faculty who secured more than $1 million in grant funding in a single year. This year, 15 faculty members achieved this milestone, bringing a combined total of more than $31 million to the university.

Dr. Angela Lamson, interim assistant vice chancellor for research development, praised these faculty members, stating, "They are true anchors of research excellence and innovation, shaping the future of academia and ECU."

The Trendsetter Awards celebrate faculty leaders who not only excel in research and creative activities but also inspire their peers through the sharing of knowledge, mentorship and campuswide initiatives. The university received a record 27 nominees for this year's award. This year's recipients included:

• Dr. Alessandro Didonna, assistant professor of anatomy and cell biology
• Dr. Drew Ashby-King, assistant professor of communication
• Dr. Vanessa Reyes, assistant professor of library science
• Dr. Nathan Hudson, associate professor of physics
• Dr. Leslie Cofie, associate professor of health education and promotion
• Dr. Travis Lewis, associate professor of educational leadership
• Dr. Kristen Myers, professor of sociology
• Dr. Archana Hegde, professor of human development and family science
• Dr. James Franklin, associate professor of music and director of choral activities

The evening also celebrated university inventors who have made significant contributions to ECU's innovation network.

• Dr. Stephanie Richards, from health education and promotion, and Dr. Sinan Sousan, from public health, were recognized for their invention of a compact wind tunnel system designed to assess the effectiveness and resistance of insecticide products under controlled conditions.
• Dr. Elizabeth Hodge, from the College of Education, was honored for a patent on the assembly of a portable art easel design, opening new avenues for artists, especially well-suited for ecotourism and group events.
• Dr. Kori Brewer, from emergency medicine, and Dr. Stefan Clemens, from physiology, developed a new diagnostic approach to pain management that allows clinicians to identify opioid responsiveness and provide personalized patient pain management with fewer adverse effects, including a lower likelihood of addiction.

In addition to recent patent recipients, three longtime ECU faculty members have been named as Senior Member Inductees of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), joining more than 40 colleagues and researchers at the university who hold membership in the prestigious organization.

Dr. Allison S. Danell, professor of chemistry and dean of Harriot College; Dr. Colin S. Burns, professor of chemistry; and Dr. Jitka Virag, associate professor of physiology at the Brody School of Medicine, were elected as senior members. The 2026 class will be honored during the Senior Member Induction Ceremony at the NAI's 15th annual conference in Los Angeles in June.

The Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy (EOSA) highlights ECU's commitment to community-engaged research. Seven members were recognized for their current projects with community partners, including Drs. Madeline Fernandez, Mary Huffman, Reeve Kennedy, Eduardo Leorri, Laura Merrell, Morteza Nazari-Heris and Mary Nyangweso.

Looking Toward the Future

In closing, Dr. Chris Buddo, provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, expressed his awe for the breadth of impact represented in the awards presented this year and his optimism for ECU's future.

"Your work advances knowledge, enriches classrooms, strengthens communities and improves lives," he said. "Your contributions reach far beyond campus and reflect the very best of ECU's mission."

"This is a moment to acknowledge not just past accomplishments, but the momentum you continue to build. The work being done across our campus positions ECU to remain a place where discovery thrives, creativity is valued and scholarship serves the public good," Buddo said. "Thank you for your dedication, your leadership and your belief in what this university can achieve."

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