FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2007
FY07-43
ORAU Awards Research Grants to 30 Junior Faculty at Member Universities
OAK RIDGE, Tenn.—In an effort to invest in the future of science education, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) has made its annual selection of Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award winners. ORAU has chosen 30 junior faculty from its member institutions to receive the award for the 2007-2008 academic year.
Each junior faculty winner will receive a $5,000 grant, which is intended to enhance their research and professional growth and result in new funding opportunities during the early stages of their careers. Each recipient’s institution matches the ORAU award with an additional $5,000, making the total prize worth $10,000 for each winner.
The awards recognize faculty members for their work in any of five science and technology disciplines: engineering or applied science; life sciences; mathematics and computer science; physical sciences; and policy, management or education. Winners may use the grants to purchase equipment, continue their research or travel to professional meetings and conferences.
Recipients of the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards for the 2007-2008 academic year are listed below:
| Award Recipient | Member Institution |
|---|---|
| Anne Gorden | Auburn University |
| Rebecca Howell | Emory University |
| Wei Yang | Florida State University |
| Yifan Liu | George Mason University |
| Meisha Shofner | Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Lu Peng | Louisiana State University |
| Michael Tolocka | Louisiana State University |
| Tzy-Jiun Mark Luo | North Carolina State University |
| Elon Ison | North Carolina State University |
| Jun Lou | Rice University |
| Mesfin Tsige | Southern Illinois University at Carbondale |
| Brent Sumerlin | Southern Methodist University |
| Benjamin Mohr | Tennessee Technological University |
| Katnrari Entesari | Texas A&M University |
| Paul de Figueiredo | Texas A&M University |
| Douglas Spearot | University of Arkansas |
| Sukwon Hong | University of Florida |
| Jan Mrazek | University of Georgia |
| Teng Li | University of Maryland |
| Patrick Kanold | University of Maryland |
| Elizabeth Ervin | University of Mississippi |
| Thedford Hollis | University of Mississippi |
| Liming Zhang | University of Nevada, Reno |
| Tae-Youl Choi | University of North Texas |
| Stephen Cooke | University of North Texas |
| Megan Spence | University of Pittsburgh |
| Frank Vogt | University of Tennessee |
| James Tunnell | University of Texas at Austin |
| Kristen Grauman | University of Texas at Austin |
| Yan Mei Wang | Washington University |
Since the program began 17 years ago, ORAU has awarded 338 grants totaling more than $1.6 million. Including the matching funds from member institutions, ORAU has facilitated grants worth more than $3 million.
The awards are named for Ralph E. Powe, who served as the ORAU councilor from Mississippi State University for 16 years, participating in numerous committees and special projects during his tenure. He was elected chair of ORAU’s Council of Sponsoring Institutions prior to his death in 1996.
ORAU plans to offer the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award program again for the 2008-2009 academic year. Faculty members at ORAU member institutions who are within two years of their initial tenure-track appointments as assistant professors are eligible for the grants.
For more information on fellowships, awards and grants offered by ORAU, visit the Faculty and Student Programs section of this site or contact Ann Farler at (865) 576-1898, Ann.Farler@orau.org.
Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is a university consortium leveraging the scientific strength of 98 major research institutions to advance science and education by partnering with national laboratories, government agencies, and private industry. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education for the U.S. Department of Energy.