̫ӳ celebrates research excellence with annual awards
Contact: James Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.—̫ӳ is recognizing excellence in research and innovation with its annual research awards.
Among the top 100 research universities nationally, ̫ӳ’s robust research and development programs are known for advancing scientific fields, impacting lives and providing world-class learning opportunities for students. ̫ӳ President Mark E. Keenum, along with Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan, and Vice President for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine Keith Coble, applauded the significant work carried out every day by the university’s researchers and support staff on Wednesday [Oct. 9] at the university’s annual research awards celebration.
“This is a great occasion to recognize our truly outstanding researchers and scientists who are making a tremendous contribution not only to the university, but also our nation and world, all while educating and inspiring our students,” Keenum said. “You are generating knowledge that impacts lives, and in some cases actually saves lives, and that is a very noble cause.”
The awards are co-sponsored by the ORED and DAFVM offices of the ̫ӳ vice presidents.
Peter Allen, professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, was presented the program’s top honor—the 2024 Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award. The Powe Award is a memorial to the ̫ӳ alumnus and longtime research vice president who died in 1996. It is selected at the university level from nominations received from the ̫ӳ community.
An internationally recognized researcher in fish physiological ecology, Allen serves as the aquaculture technical specialist for the UASID-funded Feed the Future Innovational Lab for Fish. His research focuses on the physiology, culture and conservation of fishes. His projects have ranged from commercial aquaculture species such as channel and hybrid catfish, to recreational species such as largemouth bass and crappie, to fishes with primitive characteristics, such as sturgeons, paddlefish and gar.
Other finalists for the Powe Award were Matthew Brown, the Donald L. Hall Professor of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dan Petrolia, professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics.
Chosen from a competitive pool of nominations, the other 2024 research award winners include:
—Vuk Marojevic, professor and Paul B. Jacob Chair in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mid-Career Research Scholar Award;
—Jagman Dhillon, assistant professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Emerging Research Scholar Award;
—W. Daryl Jones, Extension professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award;
—Jenny Ryals, research associate at the Coastal Research and Extension Center, Research Professional Award; and
—Michelle Latham, business coordinator in the High Performance Computing Collaboratory, Research Support Award.
̫ӳ also recognized researchers who developed new intellectual property and patented/licensed new technology. The Office of Technology Management recognized the following individuals for patents received in 2024:
—Todd Mlsna, “Engineered Coal Char.”
—John Ball, Reuben Burch and Carver Middleton, “Electrical Enclosure with Magnetic Cable Spooling Management” and “Wire Tie Down.”
—Reuben Burch, “Face Filtration Mount for Automated Filter Tester.”
—Gregory Burgreen, “Extracorporeal Ambulatory Assist Lung.”
—Bill Elmore and Santanu Kundu, “Thermoplastic Polymer and Method of Forming the Same.”
—Shien Lu, “Engineering the Production of a Conformational Variant of Occidiofungin That Has Enhanced Inhibitory Activity Against Fungal Species.”
Learn more about the Office of Research and Economic Development at and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine at .
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