Research and scholarship honored with spring awards

Faculty members are working on research that impacts everyday life. Through excellence in scholarship, outreach, and research, they enhance the lives and livelihoods of others and elevate Virginia Tech among the top research universities in the world.

“Virginia Tech’s researchers and scholars are the engine behind not only our achievement of global distinction, but the embodiment of our motto, Ut Prosim,” Dan Sui, senior vice president and chief research and innovation officer. “It is in that spirit they are working each day in the pursuit of knowledge, discovery, and impact greater than themselves.”

Each year, the Office of Research and Innovation collaborates with the Office of Faculty Affairs to honor the extraordinary faculty members who have demonstrated such impact through three awards: the Early Career Scholarly Impact Award, the Frontier Award, and the Engaged Research Award. Funded by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, each winner receives a plaque and $2,000.  

Frontier Award

Annie Stevens, associate professor, School of Performing Arts

Area of scholarship: Percussionist: soloist, chamber musician, orchestral timpanist and percussionist

Highlights: 

• Performed and lectured at over 60 universities, and on concert series in four continents
• Garnered more than 700,000 views of online performances with her duo, Escape Ten, including Clear Midnight and Perenniality
• Developed a line of signature mallets, the Escape Ten Series, and a publication series with Malletech, a premiere mallet instrument maker
• Appeared as a soloist and chamber musician at Carnegie Hall, as an artist-fellow at the Banff Centre in Canada, NYC’s Le Poisson Rouge with the Grammy-nominated Metropolis Ensemble, music conservatories in Xi’an, Beijing, and Guangzhou, China, and with the October Sky Ensemble at the Auditorio de la Diputación de Alicante in Spain
• Her album, October Skies, was selected for entry into the National Archive at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth, Wales
• 2025 College of Architecture Arts and Design’s College Award for Outreach Excellence
• 2023 Music Academy of the West’s Alumni Enterprise Award for the in-process creation of a mobile application that will aid musicians at various stages of development 
• Conducts the award-winning Virginia Tech Percussion Ensemble, which were invited to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2025
• Led and co-led projects supported by the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, including Major SEAD Investment Grants and multiple mini‐grants that enable interdisciplinary productions

In the nominator’s words: “A scholar–artist of uncommon range, she integrates performance, research, pedagogy, and technology to advance the field of percussion and to expand public access to the arts. Her record exemplifies sustained, exemplary creative accomplishment and impact aligned with the award’s selection criteria. … Dr. Stevens’s regional and national contributions strengthen Virginia Tech’s cultural footprint and public mission. In sum, the consistency, visibility, and civic orientation of this work demonstrate leadership appropriate to a mid-career scholar-artist poised to continue advancing the field,” wrote Jeffrey Loeffert, director and professor of the School of Performing Arts.

Michael Bartlett, John R. Jones III Faculty Fellow and associate professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering 

Area of scholarship: Soft multifunctional materials and adhesives, soft robotics and electronics, liquid-metal-enabled electronics and sensors

Highlights:

• Leads a National Science Foundation $1.8 million, multi-institutional Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future program on underwater adhesion
• Part of a Virginia Tech team that received a $3 million National Science Foundation Future Manufacturing grant
• More than 85 peer-reviewed articles published
• 18 articles featured as journal covers
• 35 patents issued or pending
• More than 200 stories, interviews, and broadcast features on his research across media outlets
• Serving as meeting chair for the Adhesion Society’s 50th Annual Meeting

In the nominators’ words: “Dr. Bartlett has built an internationally recognized research program distinguished by creativity, productivity, and broad influence. His discoveries have shifted understanding in multiple fields, inspired new technological pathways, elevated Virginia Tech’s global visibility, and fostered the development of exceptional young scholars. His momentum continues to accelerate, and he is poised to make transformative contributions in the years ahead,” wrote Brian Lattimer, the Nicholas and Rebecca Des Champs Chair and head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering

Jacob Barney, professor, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences

Area of scholarship: The causes, consequences, epidemiology, and management of invasive plant species

Highlights: 

• More than 115 peer-reviewed articles, six book chapters, and numerous policy and Extension documents
• More than 5,900 citations 
• Spearheaded the creation of Virginia Tech’s Invasive Species Collaborative (ISC) and integrated it into Virginia Tech’s Destination Area initiative, establishing the nation’s first comprehensive, transdisciplinary research hub for invasive species 
• Vice chair of the federal Invasive Species Advisory Committee
• Given talks in more than 10 countries, including at the 2024 World Biodiversity Forum in Davos, Switzerland
• Featured in major media outlets, including NPR and Popular Science

In the nominators’ words: “The University Frontier Award honors faculty who redefine what is possible in research. Dr. Barney’s vision for the ISC and his own research program exemplifies this spirit by creating a new paradigm for addressing complex environmental challenges. His work is pioneering — no other institution in the nation has developed such an integrated, transdisciplinary approach to the grand challenge of invasive species. By bridging ecological science with policy, economics, and data analytics, Dr. Barney is not only advancing knowledge but also shaping the future of environmental stewardship and placing Virginia Tech at the center of this transformation,” wrote David Haak and Mark Reiter, interim co-directors, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences.

Scholarly Impact Award

Dayoung Kim, assistant professor, Department of Engineering Education

Area of scholarship: Engineering practice, workforce development, and engineering ethics and policy

Highlights: 

• Supported by $1.2 million in external funding, with a personal share of $829,114 
• Serves as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on three National Science Foundation grants and as a consultant on a Growth and Opportunities for Virginia planning grant
• 18 peer-reviewed journal articles, nine of which as either the lead or corresponding author
• Founded and directs the LABoratory for Innovative and REsponsible ENgineering Workforce, mentoring five Ph.D. students and eight undergraduates
• Regularly presents at conferences of engineering education and ethics, including the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Frontiers in Education Conference, Association for Practical and Professional Ethics Annual Conference, and IEEE-ETHICS Conference 
• 30 peer-reviewed conference papers 
• Cited more than 140 times in 2025 and a total of 360 times as of April 2026 across various journals and conference proceedings, according to Google Scholar
• Invited speaker and panelist at various international forums, including the 2025 World Congress of Korean Scientists and Engineers, Innovating Engineering Education with Generative AI Workshop , Routledge International Handbook of Engineering Ethics Education Talk Show Series, and the plenary session of the 2023 IEEE-ETHICS Conference

In the nominator’s words: “In three years at Virginia Tech, Dr. Kim has established an internationally engaged, well-funded, and impactful research program that advances the understanding of responsible and innovative engineering practice and workforce development in the era of emerging technologies. Her sustained record of publications, citations, grants, and leadership demonstrates a promising and expanding trend of scholarly achievement and influence within and beyond engineering education. She is deeply committed to advancing Virginia Tech’s mission of integrating research excellence, educational innovation, and societal impact,” wrote Jenny Lo, senior instructor and chair, Department of Engineering Education’s Honorifics Committee.

Eranga Galappaththi, assistant professor, Department of Geography

Area of scholarship: The climate-food-health nexus among Indigenous peoples, with an emphasis on the international importance of sustainability, public health, and climate adaptation policy

Highlights: 

• Authored or co-authored 49 peer-reviewed articles, three book chapters, three high-level reports, and 51 conference presentations 
• Cited more than 4,100 times
• Maintains partnerships with 11 Indigenous communities from Global North and South
• Served as a contributing author to major international assessments, including the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report and high-level reports for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
• More than $8 million of external funding
• Principal investigator on a Belmont Forum–National Science Foundation collaborative grant valued at approximately $1 million
• Held leadership roles with the Indigenous Peoples Observatory Network, a major international research initiative involving partners across more than 17 countries and over 100 Indigenous communities

In the nominator’s words: “What distinguishes his work is not only its intellectual quality, but also its reach — across disciplines, regions, communities, and policy arenas. His scholarship has influenced academic debates, informed international assessments, shaped community-level decision-making, and elevated Virginia Tech’s visibility as a leader in engaged, globally relevant research in ways. In summary, Dr. Eranga Galappaththi exemplifies the ideals of the Early Career Scholarly Impact Award. His work combines intellectual excellence with global reach, policy relevance, community engagement, and leadership. He has already made a lasting impact on his field and is poised to shape scholarship and practice for decades to come,” wrote Tom Crawford, professor and chair, Department of Geography. 

Adrian Figg, assistant professor, Department of Chemistry

Area of scholarship: a synthetic polymer chemist focusing on new macromolecules to answer questions and solve problems across a variety of fields

Highlights: 

• More than 37 publications, nine of which are corresponding authorships 
• Three current patent applications
• Cited more than 2300 times 
• Invited to present at a combined 45 national and international seminars and meetings
• National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program award in 2025

In the nominator’s words: “Beyond metrics, what sets Professor Figg apart is how he innovates in the field of organic chemistry to solve bigger problems that span traditional disciplines. Professor Figg is, at his core, a synthetic polymer chemist, meaning that he makes new macromolecules to answer questions and solve problems across a variety of fields. His toolbox is that of organic chemistry, and he has an uncanny ability to see how making a new macromolecule, or sometimes an array of macromolecules, can answer difficult questions. He takes a scaffolded approach to his work, where, one, new fundamental discoveries in how we make polymers lead to; two, new materials with interesting or unusual properties that are used to; three, answer questions or provide solutions to difficult problems. This approach allows Professor Figg to ultimately translate fundamental chemistry efforts into new materials that can answer biological questions and potentially provide new and innovative treatments that look nothing like common small molecule drugs or larger biologics,” wrote Amanda Morris, professor and chair, Department of Chemistry.

Engaged Research Award

Shannon Bell, professor, Department of Sociology 

Area of scholarship: Environmental sociologist and Appalachian studies with a focus on just energy transitions, the socio-ecological impacts of fossil fuel extraction and transport, and forest-based traditions and lifeways

Highlights: 

• Worked with community collaborators to create the public humanities initiative, Forest Botanicals Region Living Monument
• Known for her innovative use of Photovoice as a community-based research method that simultaneously leads to co-produced research and community-based outcomes
• Her largest Photovoice project included 54 women across five West Virginia coal-mining communities and resulted in six community exhibits, photostory books for local libraries, legislative issue booklets to communicate water contamination problems to legislators, and a wide array of community projects initiated by participants
• Partnered with community members and Virginia Tech students to research the mental health impacts of natural gas pipeline permitting processes in rural communities
• Worked with community partners to create 12 interpretive signs and an online exhibit about the culture and history of forest botanicals in Appalachia
• Currently collaborating with Virginia Cooperative Extension to support forest farming outreach and educational initiatives in the Central Appalachian region
• Has authored or co-authored two award-winning books, 21 peer-reviewed journal articles, 15 book chapters, and 14 public-facing essays and reports
• Rural Sociological Society’s Excellence in Research Award
• Environmental Sociology Practice and Outreach Award
• Robert Boguslaw Award for Technology and Humanism
• Society for Human Ecology’s Gerald L. Young Book Award
• Association for Humanist Sociology Book Award
• Association of American Publishers’ PROSE Award 
• Rural Sociology Best Article Award
• Allan Schnaiberg Outstanding Publication Award
• College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences’ 2025 Niles Land Grant Scholar Award 

In the nominator’s words: “Professor Bell is an environmental sociologist whose career has been defined by sustained, deeply collaborative, community-engaged research in and with rural Appalachian communities. She exemplifies what engaged research should be, integrating rigorous scholarship, community partnership, student learning, and public impact. ... Throughout her career, Professor Bell has consistently served as a bridge between communities and centers of power, ensuring that research findings are mobilized in service of communities. Her work powerfully advances Virginia Tech’s public service, outreach, and engagement mission and embodies the highest ideals of engaged research. For these reasons, the Department of Sociology offers its strongest endorsement of Professor Shannon Bell for the Virginia Tech Engaged Research Award. She is an exemplary engaged scholar whose career demonstrates sustained commitment, measurable impact, and deep respect for the communities she serves,” wrote Jennifer Johnson, professor and chair, Department of Sociology.