“The School of Science is excited and incredibly proud to have many of our faculty recognized among the very best in science. This recognition makes clear that IUPUI School of Science faculty are highly accomplished and competitive on a global scale. It also emphasizes the school’s wonderful opportunities to our students to be a part of world-class research and to receive the very best mentoring. I offer a very enthusiastic congratulations to these talented IUPUI faculty,” said Dean of Science, John DiTusa, Ph.D.
Here’s what our active faculty members had to say about this recognition:
“It is an honor to be recognized in this list of talented scientists, including many colleagues from the School of Science and the larger academic community on the IUPUI. My research on the role of ion channel proteins in disorders of excitability has depended on not only gifted collaborators but also on the hard work of many terrific students. I am also honored to work with many excellent faculty in the Biology Department who also should be recognized for their outstanding research contributions and their dedication to training the next generation of scientists,” said Ted Cummins, Ph.D., Chair of the Biology Department and professor.
“I am honored to be included in a list of top scientists, although really science is a group effort, and it is thanks to generations of students, post-docs, and colleagues that the great work underpinning this list was achieved,” said Gabe Filippelli, Ph.D.
Filippelli is heavily engaged in citizen science and community-based research, which aims to reduce environmental health burdens, particularly in environmental justice communities around the world.
“Being a part of this list is a great honor that I share with my collaborators and colleagues, my mentors, and my graduate students, who have always improved the way I think about, plan, and execute my research,” said Melissa Cyders, Ph.D.
Cyders’ researches how impulsivity and its neurocognitive underpinnings influence a wide range of risk-taking behaviors, including alcohol use, substance use, and sexual risk-taking. Cyders is interested in identifying how the brain is implicated in such risk and how they can best leverage brain function to reduce risks associated with impulsive action.
“I am honored to be part of this list; thanks also to my students and collaborators. And I consider preparing my students as one of the main components of my research contribution,” said Arjan Durresi, Ph.D.
Durresi and his research team are currently working on engineering trust in various areas like trustworthy artificial intelligence, security, and resilient distributed systems.
“It is a great honor to be part of such a select group of educators and scientists from some of the world’s best institutions of higher learning. Quite a surprise for someone who once scoffed at the idea of becoming a teacher! However, even at a young age, I had a deep passion for nature, and it is this passion that today I thrive to pass on to my students,” said Pierre-Andre Jacinthe, Ph.D.
Jacinthe’s research focuses on the soil-water-air interface. His research has contributed to the understanding of the exchange of greenhouse gases between the land surface and the atmosphere and to assessing the resilience of agricultural production systems to a changing climate.
“It is great to know that the research that we have been doing is recognized at this level, and I am honored to be nominated. This recognition also belongs to graduate students, postdocs, and collaborators that have contributed to our research productivity,” said Lin Li. Ph.D.
Li’s current research focuses on remotely sensing inland water cyanobacteria at continental and global scales and further understanding cyanobacterial bloom phenology in the context of climate change.
“It is a surprise to receive this recognition. My primary interest is in Riemannian geometry which is a mathematical language A. Einstein used to describe his general relativity theory. After I met the great mathematician, S.S. Chern at Berkeley, I switched my attention to non-Riemannian geometry. I have been working in this field for about 25 years. I have many collaborators around the world. I enjoy working with them. I have published six books on this subject with high citation, which perhaps have a great influence on young geometers. Teaching, research, and advising students keep me busy daily,” said Zhongmin Shen, Ph.D.
Special Note: The School of Science would also like to recognize two other researchers, William Stillwell, Ph.D., Biology, and William H. Reid, Ph.D., Mathematical Sciences, who have passed on. They were also named among the top 2%, indicating their work is still impactful today. We are grateful for their contributions not only to research but also to the school.