The new VCU Annual Research Impact Awards recognize 10 honorees

By Haley Tenore

Recognizing the strength and diversity of Virginia Commonwealth University's research enterprise - and the faculty who drive it - a new signature event April 27 helped round out university's monthlong Research Weeks program that spotlights innovation and discovery on campus.

VCU-ARIA - the Annual Research Impact Awards - is a new initiative that honors exceptional research by faculty and postdoctoral fellows. Their work, and the work of their colleagues, has saved, improved and enriched countless lives through their pioneering discoveries.

"While VCU has had a long history of excellence, we felt it was time to establish a dedicated institutional platform to honor the excellence in research, innovation, knowledge creation and creative activity that defines who we are as an institution," P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., vice president of research and innovation, said in opening remarks at the Cabell Library ceremony. "We will recognize individuals whose work has simply been transformative."

Here are the 10 inaugural honorees of the VCU ARIA program.

EMINENT RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR

Frank Gupton, Ph.D., received the ceremony's highest honor. In the College of Engineering, Gupton is the Floyd D. Gottwald Jr. Chair in Pharmaceutical Engineering with the Department of Chemical and Life Sciences Engineering. And as founder of the Medicines for All Institute, he is pioneering the more efficient production of medications to expand global access.

"Dr. Gupton's career embodies a rare combination of scientific excellence, global health leadership and transformational impact on the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing," said Azim Eskandarian, D.Sc., dean of the College of Engineering. "His work has reshaped how essential medicines are produced, lowering costs, improving access and strengthening both domestic and international supply chain resilience."

Gupton joined VCU after a decades-long career in pharmaceutical engineering. At the VCU-ARIA ceremony, he delivered a presentation that outlined his journey - with its achievements in drug production propelling treatments for conditions such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and tuberculosis.

As Eminent Research of the Year, Gupton was awarded $10,000 through the VCU-ARIA program.

The Annual Research Impact Awards honors work that has saved, improved and enriched countless lives through their pioneering discoveries. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH WINNERS

In four categories - optimizing health, supporting sustainable energy and environments, advancing societal well-being, and enriching the human experience - faculty honorees were awarded $5,000 each for their achievements.

Optimizing health: Jonathan E. Isaacs

Jonathan E. Isaacs (center) with P. Srirama Rao, Art Saavedra, Lisa Ballance and John Ryan. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Isaacs, M.D., is a surgeon who specializes in orthopedics, specifically hand and wrist and peripheral nerve surgery. His career has represented a "model of sustained, high-impact, translational research into peripheral nerve surgery," his nominator said.

Isaacs also co-invented Nerve Tape, which reduces trauma from nerve injuries and connects nerves quickly and accurately.

Supporting sustainable energy and environments: M. Samy El-Shall

M. Samy El-Shall (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

El-Shall, Ph.D., the Mary Eugenia Kapp Chair with the Department of Chemistry in the College of Humanities and Sciences, was recognized for his understanding of physics and chemistry on a nanoscale.

El-Shall's nominator cited his "seminal and groundbreaking work in the understanding of physical and chemical phenomena at the nanoscale, the design and production of nanomaterials and the applications of nanoscience and nanotechnology to energy, water and environmental problems."

Advancing societal well-being: Andrew J. Barnes

Andrew J. Barnes (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Barnes, Ph.D., is a professor of health policy in the School of Public Health. His research on Medicaid has improved health systems, which in turn has bolstered patient outcomes among more than 500,000 Virginia residents covered by the program. Barnes is also the director of the Office of Medicaid Evaluation at VCU.

"He demonstrates how rigorous research can improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations on a large scale," his nominator said.

Enriching the human experience: Stephen Vitiello

Stephen Vitiello (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Vitiello is a professor and chair of the Department of Kinetic Imaging in the School of Arts, as well as an electronic musician and sound and media artist. His work has been included in the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

"His career exemplifies how research can illuminate fundamental scientific, cultural and technological processes while contributing meaningfully to the intellectual capital across the globe," his nominator said.

RISING STARS

In the same four categories, the Rising Star honorees - each receiving $2,500 from the VCU-ARIA program - are nontenured faculty who have made major impacts in their fields of research.

Optimizing health: Can E. Senkal

Can E. Senkal (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Senkal, Ph.D., an assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology in the School of Medicine. was cited for his research on lipid signaling and cancer biology.

With research focusing on how cancer behaves at the cellular level - and specifically how it differs from healthy cells - Senkal is exploring new pathways for cancer treatment, his nominator said.

Supporting sustainable energy and environments: Radhika Barau

Radhika Barau (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Barua, Ph.D., is an assistant professor with the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering in the College of Engineering. An emerging expert in sustainable energy, she is focusing on magnetic material fusion as a form of clean energy.

"Her work addresses foundational challenges in electrification, energy efficiency and supply chain resilience," her nominator wrote, citing its alignment with national priorities.

Advancing societal well-being: Ann F. Haynos

Ann F. Haynos (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Haynos, Ph.D., is an assistant professor with the Department of Psychology in the College of Humanities and Sciences. Her research aims to support those with potentially life-threatening mental health conditions, notably eating disorders.

"By working at this intersection of neuroscience and clinical science, her lab aims to produce precise yet clinically impactful, mechanistic data that can enhance the treatment targeting severe psychological conditions," her nominator wrote.

Enriching the human experience: Samuel J. Kessler

Samuel J. Kessler (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Kessler, Ph.D., is the Harry Lyons Chair in Judaic Studies with the Department of History in the College of Humanities and Sciences. His research focuses on how religion has impacted European history and literature, particularly focusing on Jewish history and literature that focuses on the Holocaust.

Kessler also leads the Lyons Lecture Series in Judaic Studies, which is an installment of a new four-part lecture series presented by VCU's Center for the Study of Global Religions and Spiritualities..

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW OF THE YEAR

Paige E. Allen (second from left) with Art Saavedra, provost and executive vice president; P. Srirama Rao, vice president for research and innovation; and John Ryan, associate vice president.

Paige E. Allen, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Medicine's Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Her research focuses on interactions between hosts and microbes, specifically related to rickettsial infections that typically are caused by fleas, ticks, mites and lice.

Her nominator called her a cutting-edge scientist who "already had a chance to prove herself as an excellent didactic lecturer to grad students. She … has a refreshing and contagious love for science, something we all need."

Allen received a $1,000 award from the VCU ARIA program.