Faculty and staff honored with annual College of Agriculture and Life Sciences awards
Six people were recognized for contributions in research, teaching, outreach, and service.
Six faculty and staff members from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences were celebrated for their exemplary dedication to the university’s land-grant mission during the college’s 30th annual Faculty and Staff Picnic in September.
In his opening remarks, Dean Mario Ferruzzi highlighted a year of momentum for CALS — from record undergraduate applications to landmark research awards and unprecedented alumni giving — before presenting the college’s highest faculty and staff recognitions. Each awardee received a decorative plaque and a monetary award.
Gonzalo Ferreira, an associate professor and dairy management Extension specialist in the School of Animal Sciences, received the Andy Swiger Land-Grant Award. Ferreira exemplifies the land-grant mission through innovative Extension programming and applied research in dairy nutrition and forage management. His bilingual training videos on silage safety and calf care have reached tens of thousands worldwide, while his collaborative USDA-funded projects address environmental challenges such as methane emissions.
Dave Winston, an Extension dairy specialist, received the CALS Faculty Association Ut Prosim Award for Excellence in Service. From his leadership in 4-H dairy education and the National 4-H Dairy Conference to decades of advising the Dairy Club and coaching quiz bowl and Dairy Challenge teams, Winston has influenced thousands of students and future leaders. Within the School of Animal Sciences, he has strengthened curriculum and scholarship programs, advanced inclusion initiatives, and provided steady guidance through times of transition.
Tim Jarome, an associate professor in the School of Animal Sciences, received the Saied and Parynaz Mostaghimi Excellence in Basic Research Award for pioneering work on the neurobiology of memory, particularly in PTSD and Alzheimer’s disease. His studies on ubiquitin-proteasome signaling revealed sex-specific pathways in fear memory formation, reshaping understanding of PTSD’s greater prevalence in women. His work earned him recognition as a "rising star" by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia in 2024.
Drew Wang, an associate professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, received the Saied and Parynaz Mostaghimi Excellence in Applied Research Award. As director of the Center for Applied Water Research and Innovation, Wang has pioneered processes that reduce energy use and chemical demand in wastewater treatment, saving utilities money and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. His team has also developed microbes that convert food waste into biodegradable plastics, advancing a circular economy.
Chin-Cheng “Scotty” Yang, an assistant professor in the Department of Entomology, received the CALS Award for Outreach Excellence for his creative efforts to bring science to life for the public. At events such as Hokie BugFest, Kids’ Tech University, and the Kipps Fall Festival, Yang uses high-resolution digital microscopes to let participants see the hidden world of ants up close. His programs spark curiosity and interest in entomology and STEM among K-12 students.
Dannie Snyder (not pictured), a youth nutrition education facilitator with the Virginia Family Nutrition Program serving the Lynchburg area, was named Employee of the Year. Snyder reached more than 1,600 students through classroom instruction, led dozens of youth health challenges and community events, secured grants to expand healthy food access, and even studied Spanish weekly to better serve her students. Her energy and creativity left a lasting impact on her students, colleagues, and community.
