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COLLEGEOFSCIENCE ANDMATHEMATICS

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

A NOTE FROM THE DEAN

Celebrating the achievements of our exceptional faculty and staff isn’t just tradition it’s at the heart of who we are in COSM. Each year, the COSM Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards shine a spotlight on the very best in the College of Science and Mathematics, honoring excellence in key areas: teaching, research, service, and staff excellence These awards celebrate the people whose talent,dedication,andpassioninspireourentirecollege

For2025,theStaffExcellenceAwardsweremodifiedtoincludetheTrailblazerAward,theRisingStar Award, the Outstanding Service Award, the Teamwork Champion Award, and the Distinguished LeadershipAward.TheseawardswerepresentedattheCOSMStaffDevelopmentDayinMay.

In this special edition of COSM Weekly, we are thrilled to introduce the 2025 Excellence Award recipients. On the following pages, you’ll meet remarkable colleagues whose work the Awards Committeehasrecognizedasthebestofthebestintheirfields.

Pleasejoinmeingivingaheartfeltcongratulationstoallofthisyear’sawardwinners!

Sincerely,

Dr.MichaelHuggins ProfessorandDean CollegeofScienceandMathematics

AwardforExcellenceinTeaching

Rank:SeniorLecturer

Department:Biochemistry,ChemistryandPhysics

Campus:Statesboro

YearsofService:7years

CoursesTaught:

CHEM1211PrinciplesofChemistryI

CHEM1212PrinciplesofChemistryII

CHEM1151SurveyofChemistryI

CHEM6530ProfessionalScienceComm

Education:

B.S.GeorgiaCollege,Milledgeville

Ph.D.ChemistryEducation,Michigan StateUniversity,EastLansing,MI PostdoctoralFellowship:EmoryUniversity

Highlightsfromsupportingfeedback:

"Dr.Williamshascontinuouslydistinguishedhers asadeeplygifted,innovative,anddevoted educator.Hercontributionstostudentlearninga departmentalsuccesshavebeennothingshort transformative."

"Dr Williamsisacreativeforcewithinthedepart constantlyseekingnewwaystoconnectstuden chemistry"

"Sheencouragesherstudentstosucceedandim shedrivesstudentstoviewlearningasalifelong

"PartofDr.Williams’classroompopularitystems toteachingtheclass."

AwardforExcellenceinResearch

Rank:AssistantProfessor

Department: Biochemistry,ChemistryandPhysics

ResearchArea: ProteinStructu

Campus: Armstrong

YearsofService: 3years

ExternalResearchGrants:

NIH/NIGMS,PrincipalInvestig inhibitorsasmigrastaticsa determinantsofPRL3drugg August2024-July2027

TheCamilleandHenryDrey PrincipalInvestigator,Jean LectureshipforUndergradu $25k,August2024-July202

NSFS-STEM,SeniorPersonne ScholarshipsandaHolistic forUndergraduatesPursuin CareersinScience,Mathem $2M,March2025-Feb2030

KoreaBasicScienceInstitute VisitingScientist,$3,500,No

Highlightsfromsupportingfee

"Dr delaCerna’sexpertiseinbio substantialbenefittoourresea departmentandouroverallfuturetrajectoryfor teaching,researchandthePh.D.programin BiomedicalSciencesatGeorgiaSouthern."

"Dr.delaCerna’slabhaspresented30+posterpresentationsinvolvingourtraineesandhehas impressively given 8 invited seminars (1 internationally). His research has resulted in five publications in highlyrankedQ1andQ2journals."

AwardforExcellenceinService

Rank:AssociateProfessor

Department:DepartmentofBiology

Campus:Statesboro

YearsofService:19years

Research

InsectEcology

ForensicEntomology

CommunitySafety

EdMondor,teachesthreecourseseach semesterandhasnearly40peer-reviewe publicationsintopjournals,withhisresea highlightedinScienceMagazine.Specializ ininsectbehavior,ecology,andevolution Georgia’sonlyForensicEntomologistand hasassistedinover30deathinvestigatio bydeterminingtimeofdeathusinginsect evidence.

Highlightsfromsupportingfeedback:

"I'vehadtheprivilegeofworkingwithDr.M formorethanadecade.Throughoutthat Dr Mondorhasembodiedthisaward;unw dedicationandagenuineteamplayer"

"Dr MondorhasconsistentlysupportedGeorgia SouthernUniversitythroughactiveparticipationin events such as Eagle Preview Days and alumni gatherings. At these events, he serves as a dynamic and engaging ambassador for the university. His approachable nature and enthusiasm make a lastingimpressiononprospectivestudents,families,andalumnialike."

StaffExcellence:TrailblazerAward

Title:InstrumentationMaintenanceandResearchSpecialist Department:CollegeofScienceandMathematics Campus:MainofficeinStatesboro,butworksonbothcampuses. YearsofService:4years

Education:

B.S.Biology,UniversityofNevada MS RenewableResources,Universityof Nevada

DarrinMoorehasconductedfieldworkin Nevada,Oregon,Utah,California,Georgia, andTexas.BeforejoiningGeorgiaSouthern University,heworkedasaChemistfor10years inthePesticideLaboratoryattheTexas DepartmentofAgriculture.

Highlightsfromsupportingfeedback:

"DarrinexemplifiesthespiritofaTrailblazerthro hisdedicationastheInstrumentationMaintena andResearchSpecialistfortheCollegeofScien Mathematics.HeensurestheCCRL’sinstrument operateatthehighestlevel,trainsfacultyand studentswithexpertise,anddrivesinnovationth supportstheuniversity’svisionofsoaringtoR1 A collaboratorandproblem-solver,Darrin’sleade andteamworkmakehimhighlydeservingofthe TrailblazerAward."

S nce:DistinguishedLeadershipAward

Title:ChemistryLaboratoryCoordinator

Department:Biochemistry,ChemistryandPhysics

Campus:Statesboro

YearsofService:8years

Education:

BS HealthScience,SouthUnive

Highlightsfromsupportingfee

"Forthepasteightyears,Anna demonstratedexceptionalded leadershipastheChemistryLa theStatesborocampus.Herco supportingfaculty,mentorings ensuringthesmoothoperation madealastingimpactonthed Anna’sguidance,friendship,pro unwaveringworkethicembody trueleader,makingherhighlyd DistinguishedLeadershipAward

StaffExcellence:RisingStarAward

Title:BiologyLaboratoryCoordinator

Department:Biology

Campus:Armstrong

YearsofService:1yearincurrentposition,2yearspriorasVisitingInstructorofBiology

Education:

B.S.Biology,ArmstrongAtlanticUnivers MS MarineSciences,SavannahState University

PositionHighlights:

Coordinatingwithfacultytoensureall reagents,media,andsuppliesareprep andavailableforlabs.

WorkingwithStudentLabAssistantsto mediaandsetuplabspriortoclass. Orderingofequipment,labandresearc forArmstrongCampus. Creatingawelcomingandsafeenviron students,staff,faculty.

Highlightsfromsupportingfeedback:

"CoralMincheyisaphenomenalLabCoord whosededication,expertise,andinitiative elevatedourlabstonewheights Shecons goesaboveandbeyondtoensurestudent havetheresourcesandsupporttheyneedtosucceed Herproblem-solvingskills,attentiontodetail,andability to anticipate challenges showcase her leadership and innovation. Coral’s impact is already shining brightly,makinghertrulydeservingoftheRisingStarAward."

"ItisatruepleasuretoworkwithCoralintheScienceCenter.Sheisdependable,supportive,andradiates positivity,whileherprofessionalismandeagernesstohelpensureeveryprojectisasuccess."

S nce:TeamworkChampionAward

Title:DirectorofElectronics&ResearchTechnology Department:CollegeofScienceandMathematics Campus:MainofficeinStatesboro,butworksonbothcampuses. YearsofService:4years

Education: B.S.ElectricalEngineering, GeorgiaSouthernUniversity

Highlightsfromsupportingfeedback:

"SamFutchtrulyembodiesthecollabor anddedicationthatdefineaTeamwork Champion.PrimarilyworkingontheSta campusbutfrequentlysupportingArms Samisalwayswillingtostepupandhel problems,workingaroundothers’sched resilienceanddetermination.Evenwith home,hecanoftenbefoundoncampu weekends,giving110%toensuresolution found,makinghimaninvaluablememb COSMcommunity."

StaffExcellence:OutstandingServiceAward

Title:Education&EventCoordinator

Department:TheBotanicGarden

Campus:Statesboro

YearsofService:17years

PositionHighlights:

Kathycoordinateson-siteandoff-site educationalprogramsforschools, universitygroups,andcommunity organizations.Sheplansandmanages eventssuchasGatherandGrowsessio oysterroasts,andmembercelebration overseesgardenrentalsforweddings, receptions,andotherprivategathering Kathyalsosupervisesgraduateassista interns,andvolunteers,andrepresents gardenatorientations,professionaldev events,andjobfairs.

KathyalsodevelopsandleadsASTERS( andPlacestoPeople(socialstudies)te workshops,creatingcurriculaalignedw StandardsofExcellence,facilitatingmu training,andprovidingprogramsforpa students.

Highlightsfromsupportingfeedback:

“Kathygoesaboveandbeyondtoprovide exceptional service to visitors, staff, and the community. Her dedication, organization, and warm, approachablenatureensureeveryeventandeducationalprogramrunssmoothly,creatingmemorable experiencesforall.Kathy’scommitmenttoexcellenceandhertirelesssupportmakeherhighlydeserving oftheOutstandingServiceAward.”