(JACKSON, Miss.) – Jackson State University President Carolyn W. Meyers honored 17 JSU researchers at a July 26 appreciation dinner at her home for achieving the top-funded projects during FY2011-2012.
Together the researchers generated more than $24 million of the university’s $49 million in sponsored research for the fiscal year.
“Research and innovation drive higher education and serve as an economic engine for our state and nation,” Meyers said. “These scholars and leaders have all distinguished themselves this year by advancing work in their respective fields. They are all a valuable asset to Jackson State University and to the communities we serve.”
Honorees and areas of expertise:
- Dr. Herman Taylor, Jackson Heart Study
- Dr. Ally Mack, international education and culture
- Dr. Patricia Jernigan, cultural exchange
- Dr. Paul Tchounwou, environmental health
- Dr. Ashton Hamme, organic chemistry
- Dr. Marinelle Payton, health disparities
- Dr. Raphael Isokpehi, bioinformatics
- Dr. Johnnie Mills-Jones, continuing education
- Dr. William McHenry, chemistry teacher training
- Dr. Jerzy Leszczynski, computational chemistry
- Velesha Williams, community outreach
- Dr. Felix Okojie, research and federal relations
- Dr. Loretta Moore, advancing women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
- Dr. CoSandra McNeal, sociology
- Dr. Paresh Ray, materials science
- Dr. Hari Cohly, microbiology/inventor
This past fiscal year Jackson State University received $49 million from federal and state agencies and private foundations to fund 180 projects that continue to expand the work of the university. The National Science Foundation Research and Development expenditures report of U.S. institutions of higher learning ranked JSU No. 2 in research and development expenditures among all Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
– JSU –
About Jackson State University: Challenging Minds, Changing Lives
Jackson State University, founded in 1877, is a historically black, high research activity university located in Jackson, the capital city of Mississippi. Jackson State’s nurturing academic environment challenges individuals to change lives through teaching, research and service. Officially designated as Mississippi’s Urban University, Jackson State continues to enhance the state, nation and world through comprehensive economic development, health-care, technological and educational initiatives. The only public university in the Jackson metropolitan area, Jackson State is located near downtown, with three satellite campuses throughout the city. For more information, visit www.jsums.edu.