Six West Virginia University faculty members and one graduate student were recently named recipients of Travis Stimeling Award for Mentoring Undergraduates in Research.
Formerly the Faculty Awards for Distinction in Mentoring Undergraduates in Research, the award was renamed this year in memory of Travis Stimeling, former professor of musicology in the College of Creative Arts, who passed away in November 2023. Stimeling was a recipient of the award in 2022 and was a passionate advocate of undergraduate research and providing students with research opportunities.
Sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Office of the Provost, the award serves to recognize and reward faculty and graduate students who encourage and support undergraduates in making an original intellectual or creative contribution to their discipline.
Awards are presented in four categories: arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biosciences and health sciences and physical sciences and technology.
In 2022, an award for Graduate Student Mentor was added to recognize the important role graduate students play in mentoring undergraduates in research and creative work.
The 2024 recipients
are:
- Maria Alejandra Perez, associate professor of geography in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. (Arts and Humanities)
- Elizabeth Bowdridge, assistant professor of physiology, pharmacology and toxicology in the chemistry in the School of Medicine. (Biosciences and Health Sciences)
- Alexey Ivanov, research assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine in the School of Medicine. (Biosciences and Health Sciences)
- Soumya Srivastava, assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. (Physical Sciences and Technology)
- Glen Jackson, Ming Hsieh Distinguished Professor of Forensic and Investigative Science, in the Eberly College. (Physical Sciences and Technology)
- Joshua Meadows, service assistant professor of management information systems and director of Data Driven WV in the John Chambers College of Business and Economics. (Behavioral and Social Sciences)
-
Mason Hamilton, a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in chemistry.
(Graduate Student Mentor)
“The benefits of
engaging undergraduate students in research and creative work are widely
recognized in literature, including higher retention rates and more successful
degree completion,” Cinthia Pacheco, assistant director of the Office of
Undergraduate Research, said. “We know this
success is only possible because of the outstanding faculty who support not
only their students’ intellectual and professional development through
scholarly pursuits, but also provide adequate emotional and social support.”
Maria Alejandra Perez
Through course
based undergraduate research experiences, Perez provides students with the opportunity
to engage in research through a course. The innovative approach has gained
increased attention as a more inclusive approach to undergraduate research
since it involves whole classes of students in addressing a research question
or problem that is of interest to a larger community.
“My research
experiences with Dr. Pérez have been above and beyond what is expected from an
undergraduate career,” Savannah Reese, a geography major, wrote in her
nomination letter. “Her classes provide a foundation for inquiry and her
passion for learning gives students a new excitement for education. She takes a
typical class and creates a space for inquiry, discovery, conversation,
collaboration, and learning.
As part of
Cultural Geography (GEOG 303), Perez guided Reese and her classmates through
the process of preparing literature reviews, abstracts and presentations for
the WVU Undergraduate Research Symposium.
“Our
presentation won the Oral Humanities division and Dr. Pérez continued to mentor
our group as we developed our presentations into a full article published in
the Mountaineer Undergraduate Research Review,” Reese wrote.
Whether in
Cultural Geography or now, Sustainability Studies, Perez’s research experiences
with her students emphasize the critical role of the humanities in
investigating the history, values and meanings that inspire humans to transform
the Earth into a better place for all.
Elizabeth Bowdridge
An assistant professor in
the Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology in the WVU School of
Medicine, Bowdridge is not only conducting important research, but she’s also
helping young, female scientists see themselves in the field.
“While in undergrad, I
yearned for a woman in STEM that I could look up to and demonstrate how amazing
it is to work in science,” School of Pharmacy student Allison Dunn said. “Dr.
Bowdridge has not only mentored me in research, but I feel as though she has
mentored me in my own life as well.”
Bowdridge’s department
chair, Timothy R. Nurkiewicz, professor and chair of physiology, pharmacology
and toxicology, reinforces Dunn’s sentiments.
“As the only female member
of the department actively engaging in research, the example Dr. Bowdridge sets
for these young women in science is essential for them to envision their own
success one day,” he said. “I foresee great scientific accomplishments in her
future, and many successful students being trained under her guidance.”
Alexey Ivanov
Since arriving at WVU in
2007, Ivanov has mentored two to four undergraduate students each year in thesis
or capstone courses as well as the Research Apprenticeship Program, Summer
Undergraduate Research Experience and the West Virginia IDeA Network for
Biomedical Research summer program. He’s also coordinated the WVU Cancer
Institute’s summer research programs since 2016.
With undergraduate student
researchers whose goals are often to earn advanced professional degrees, Ivanov
provides invaluable research experience to prepare them for the next steps in
their careers.
“Dr. Ivanov’s dedication to
student mentoring and biochemical cancer research is truly remarkable,” Justin
Hickey, a first-year medical student in the School of Medicine, wrote in his
nomination. “His work has significantly impacted the research culture here at
West Virginia University and has inspired countless individuals, including
myself.”
Soumya Srivastava
With a passion
for mentoring and creating a positive learning environment for her students,
Srivastava has an impressive record of mentoring undergraduates in research
since joining WVU in 2021. She encourages her students to apply for
scholarships and funding to ensure they are financially supported while
pursuing their research.
“Getting
involved in the engineering field as a woman can be daunting because of how
male dominated it is,” Alexa Bostic, a biomedical engineering major, wrote.
“Dr. Srivastava taking me on as her mentee and showing me her dedication and
passion for this profession has been a truly inspiring experience. She creates
an inclusive and positive environment that every new researcher desires. There
is not a more deserving candidate for this award, and every research mentor
should look to Dr. Srivastava as a role model.”
Glen Jackson
As a researcher,
Jackson provides undergraduate researchers in his lab with opportunities to
experience interdisciplinary collaboration, participate in professional
development and attend national and international scientific meetings. Twelve of
his former mentees are enrolled in or have completed graduate-level degrees and
are continuing to grow and develop as scientists.
“It is certainly
worth mentioning that as a third-year Ph.D. candidate in the chemistry
department at WVU, I still work for Dr. Jackson,” Emily Ruiz wrote. “Applying
for graduate school was not on my to-do list when I attended the Research
Experience for Undergraduates in 2019, but working for Dr. Jackson changed my
mind completely. It is undeniable how amazing it is that Dr. Jackson being one
of my mentors in my undergraduate research changed the trajectory of my entire
life, and for the better I might add.”
Joshua Meadows
Meadows is
dedicated to helping students gain confidence in themselves and their skills while
taking ownership of their research projects.
“As a
neurodivergent, first-generation college graduate from rural southern West
Virginia, I am fervently committed to designing equitable programs that offer
opportunities to our students from diverse backgrounds,” he said.
Throughout his
career, Meadows has helped students gain acceptance into graduate programs,
secure research positions or pursue a career in the workforce.
“Through his
mentorship, I was introduced to Data Driven WV which showed me a whole new way
of utilizing data analytics and solving problems,” Noah Adler, a business data
analytics major, wrote. “Joshua also personally mentored me on my future
career, discussing the prospect of graduate school and certain companies to
apply for. Ultimately, because of Joshua’s mentorship, I decided to continue my
education and enroll in WVU’s business data analytics master's program.”
Mason Hamilton
A doctoral candidate and graduate
student mentor, Hamilton has been a program assistant for the chemistry
Research Experience for Undergraduates program for the last three years. During
the program he supported 31 students through their 10-week program.
Additionally, Hamilton directly mentored seven WVU undergraduate students in
the laboratory.
“From his mentorship I have been shaped into the researcher I am today,” Janey Sowada, a chemistry major, wrote. “Through every step of my undergraduate career, he has encouraged me and reassured me of my potential. Mason is a huge inspiration to me and is a person I look up to. Because of his support and guidance, I am pleased to say that I will be furthering my education and pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry.”
