Celebrating Excellence in Teaching and Research

Work to support our environment and natural resources is powered by people.

This May, we’re celebrating SENR students, our engaged programs, and teaching and research making a difference across Ohio and beyond.

Up Next: Academic Excellence

Everyday SENR faculty and staff are making an impact – in this feature, we are celebrating our teaching, research and programmatic impact.

Teaching Excellence

Our faculty are shaping the next generation through award winning instruction and mentorship.

Nicole Sintov received the Distinguished Undergraduate Academic Advisor/Mentor Award from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences recognizing outstanding student guidance and support.

Marijke Hecht earned the Rodney F. Plimpton Distinguished Early Career Teacher Award, highlighting excellence in innovative, high-impact teaching.

Greg Hitzshusen completed a Certificate in the Effective Teaching Practice Framework from the Association of College and University Educators, reflecting a sustained commitment to student success and experiential learning and has been recognized by students for his mentorship.

Julia DeFeo joined SENR as Assistant Professor of Silviculture & Forest Ecology, strengthening expertise in forest systems and management.

Research & Scholarly Excellence

SENR faculty continue to lead transformationalrecognized research that advances knowledge and drives real-world solutions.

Kerry Ard received a prestigious National Science Foundation Mid-Career Advancement Award, supporting influential research at a pivotal career stage.

Nicole Sintov was named a Fellow of American Psychological Society Division 8: Society for Personality and Social Psychology, recognizing national leadership at the intersection of social psychology and sustainability.

Four faculty—Richard Dick, James Ippolito, Rattan Lal, and Kaiguang Zhao—were named to the Stanford/Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists list, underscoring global research impact.

Marijke Hecht has been named to the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) committee to enhance the Reach and Contributions of Informal STEM Learning.

Chris Tonra received the Dick Tuttle Legacy Award for leadership in conservation science and outreach.

Robyn Wilson was selected as an Erskine Fellow, advancing international collaboration and research exchange.

Chris Winslow earned IAGLR’s Large Lake Champion Award, recognizing impactful work in freshwater science.

Two faculty—Sayeed Mehmood and Jeffrey Jaquet —were named Fulbright Scholars, expanding research collaboration.

Faculty authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, demonstrating sustained scholarly productivity.

Programmatic Impact

Our community continues to grow, innovate, and build lasting impact across research, teaching, and outreach.

Stone Lab’s 100th anniversary marked a century of leadership in freshwater research and hands-on education.

The Environmental Professionals Network (EPN) launched EPN Connect – a shared home to support collaboration, education, workforce development and community engagement.

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