Event celebrates faculty research and scholarship
JMU News
SUMMARY: The 2026 Madison Celebration of Research and Scholarship highlighted scholarly work from each of JMU’s academic colleges while also recognizing the recipients of the annual Provost Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship and the Madison Scholars Award, as well as the inaugural Discovery to Impact Award.
Seventeen JMU faculty members were recognized for excellence in research and scholarship at an Oct. 23 event hosted by the division of Research, Economic Development and Innovation.
The 2026 Madison Celebration of Research and Scholarship highlighted scholarly work from each of JMU’s academic colleges while also recognizing the recipients of the annual Provost Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship and the Madison Scholars Award, as well as the inaugural Discovery to Impact Award.
“Today is about celebrating the research, scholarship and creative work making an impact at JMU and beyond,” said Dr. Anthony Tongen, REDI’s vice president and chief research officer. “Your work advances knowledge, strengthens your disciplines and reflects the very best of our academic community.”
The Provost Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship recognizes early-career, tenure-track faculty members who have demonstrated significant achievement in research, scholarship or creative work. This year’s recipients are:
Dr. Cyril Uy
Philosophy and Religion
College of Arts and Letters
Dr. Puzant Balozian
Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics
College of Business
Dr. Joshua Pulos
Educational Foundations and Exceptionalities
College of Education
Dr. Caitlyn Owens (’14)
Graduate Psychology
College of Health and Behavioral Studies
Dr. Giangiuseppe Pili
Integrated Sciences
College of Integrated Science and Engineering
Dr. Behnaz Moradi-Jamei
Mathematics and Statistics
College of Science and Mathematics
Dr. SangJun Yoo
Art, Design, and Art History
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Valerie Linsinbigler
Research and Education Services
Libraries
Madison Scholars Award recipients are nominated by their colleagues in each college and exemplify excellence and scholarly achievement in their respective disciplines. The 2026 winners are:
Dr. Brooks Hefner
English
College of Arts and Letters
Dr. Nicole Wright (’02)
Accounting
College of Business
Dr. Angela Webb
Middle, Secondary and Mathematics Education
College of Education
Dr. Stephanie Kurti-Luden
Kinesiology
College of Health and Behavioral Studies
Dr. Mace Bentley
Geography
College of Integrated Science and Engineering
Dr. Gabriel Niculescu
Physics and Astronomy
College of Science and Mathematics
Dr. John Peterson
Music
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Elizabeth Chenevey (’11)
Health and Behavioral Studies librarian, Academic Engagement
Libraries
Dr. William “Chris” Hollinsed, lecturer of chemistry and biochemistry, received the new Discovery to Impact Award, which honors a faculty member who is helping move ideas into real-world application.
Hollinsed has spent more than 40 years translating chemistry into practical solutions through industrial research, innovation and education. After earning degrees from the City College of New York and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he built a career in industrial research and development at Polaroid and DuPont. He later served as director of the Office of Research Grants at the American Chemical Society before moving into higher education. He taught at Howard University prior to joining the JMU faculty in 2021.
“His career shows a rare combination of an inventor’s curiosity and a teacher’s commitment to making sure every student has a real chance to succeed in science,” Tongen said.
