undergraduate research opportunities wake forest

The URECA Center

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Creativity is seeing what everyone else has seen, and thinking what no one else has thought. Albert Einstein

The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Center is about “promoting and celebrating” mentored scholarship. Undergraduate research has been a longtime cornerstone of the College’s commitment to academic excellence. Our goal is to provide undergraduate students that opportunity to engage in mentored or independent scholarship. Please explore this site and learn how you can best take advantage of URECA in your academic pursuit.

2024 Abstract Submission

Abstract Submission Portal

Due Monday, May 6th

Currently closed

URECA Day 2024 will be held on Friday, September 27, from 3 to 5 pm. The submissions portal will reopen in early fall 2024.

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SUMMER RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDERGRADUATES (2024)

 AT WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY

NSF-sponsored program and Wake Forest Translational Science Center provide undergraduate

summer stipends for mentored scientific research at Wake Forest University

Who is eligible? Students from local colleges and Universities with sophomore standing (25 or more hours passed) are eligible to apply.

Is financial assistance available? Students will receive $4,000 stipend* for 10 weeks for participating in summer research and additional program activities.

Is housing assistance available?  On-campus housing may be provided free of charge for 10 weeks in the summer.

Program description

Selected students will be paired with a graduate student and a faculty advisor to perform mentored research during 10 weeks in the summer. After completing the research traineeship, students will participate in additional activities: ( i ) presentation of their research accomplishments at the Summer research symposium and Fall Wake Forest undergraduate research day; and ( ii ) meetings of their support team (research advisor, graduate mentor, and instructor), (iii) elaboration and presentation of a career plan.

Application documents (deadline March 25 th )

• Application form
• Resume (1-2 pages), including name and contact information of 2 references
• Copy of unofficial transcript
• Statement of interest (1 page). When preparing your statement, address the following points: why you wish to participate in the program, what you hope to learn, what professional goals beyond completing your college degree you have, how this research experience will help you achieve these goals, and what is your specific research interest. Although not required, a list of professors within WFU (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, HES, Engineering) or School of Medicine that you could be matched.

Application documents will be uploaded into the Application Form . For questions about the program please contact Patricia Dos Santos (e-mail: [email protected] ).

Wake Forest University welcomes and encourages diversity and seeks applications and nominations from women and minorities. It seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce to maintain the excellence of the University, and to offer students richly varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

*The funds received by students may be taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and may also be subject to state or local taxes. Please consult the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for additional information (http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Students … -Education).

© 2019 Wake Forest University All Rights Reserved.

WFU Physics

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Physics Research Areas

An important component of the Physics Department at Wake Forest University is the collaboration of undergraduate students, graduate students, research associates, and faculty on various research projects. Research in the WFU Physics Department is concentrated in four main subfields. Within each subfield, projects include a wide variety of approaches, including fundamental, applied, experimental, theoretical, and computational work. If you want to apply to work with faculty in one of these areas as a PhD or MS student, see our application page , and a summary of faculty research interests.

• Condensed Matter
• Gravitation and Particle Physics
• Affiliated Programs: Medical Physics and Engineering

Physics Research Facilities

Research at Wake Forest University

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Research & Sponsored Programs

Wake Forest University’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs supports the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarly Inquiry in building research programs of nationally recognized excellence. We assist Reynolda Campus faculty in their pursuit and management of sponsored activities; work to assure ethical research achievement, especially involving human subjects, in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations; protect the university’s interests; and acknowledge and publicize faculty distinction.

For assistance please contact the ORSP staff.

In pursuit of these goals, we offer Reynolda Campus faculty the following specific services:

Identification of suitable funding opportunities

• Search for suitable sponsors and advise on approach
• Dissemination of targeted information on programs, policies, and trends

Proposal preparation

• Provide editing services
• Advise on correct interpretation and use of guidelines
• Prepare the budget, in consultation with the researcher
• Prepare standard forms
• Obtain proper administrative signatures/authorizations (researchers are not authorized to sign their own proposals)
• For collaborative proposals, obtain the budget, necessary forms and authorization from the collaborator, if WFU is the lead institution; if WFU is not the lead, obtain specific requirements from the lead institution

Human Research Protections

• Support the Institutional Review Board in protecting the rights and welfare of human participants involved in research conducted under the auspices of Wake Forest University, in accordance with its Federalwide Assurance and the highest standard of ethical conduct
• Establish and implement research policies governing conduct of, and accountability for, human subjects research
• Ensure university and program compliance with all applicable federal, state, and county regulations
• Make training available for investigators conducting research using human subjects

Grant/contract administration

• Receive, review, and negotiate awards
• Provide approvals under expanded authorities; see “ Where to Go for Help (PDF) ” for examples of administrative activities and offices that can assist
• Interpret federal and sponsor guidelines for administering awards

To provide the highest quality services, ORSP requires adequate lead time prior to proposal submission. Without sufficient lead time, many of these services are difficult and sometimes impossible to provide. Actual lead times vary, but the following are general guidelines the researcher should follow:

• Editing – providing a draft 2-3 weeks prior to proposal submission date is optimal
• Budget – 1-2 weeks prior; budgets for collaborative projects with the medical school must be completed according to WFUHS policy; Reynolda campus budgets are needed approximately 7 days prior to submission in order for the proposal to be finalized and routed on the medical campus
• Administrative forms – 1 week prior, provide PI and proposal-specific information
• Prior approvals – consult sponsor guidelines; normally, 10-45 days prior to award expiration date

It is also helpful if researchers inform ORSP as soon as they know that they are submitting a proposal, especially if submission is in response to an RFA, RFP, or involves the use of a new electronic proposal submission system.

Contact ORSP

• Staff Listing
• Grants and Contracts Managers

Announcements

• Use of eIRB is required for all new research studies involving human participants. Go to eIRB
• All external proposals and fellowship applications must be approved in Cayuse SP prior to submission. Go to eVisions Research Suite (access to Cayuse SP and Cayuse 424)
• Current Funding Opportunities
• Deadlines for Reynolda Campus Proposals
• 2023 Annual Report

Undergraduate Admissions

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Majors & Minors

• Majors & Minors

It’s About Finding Your Fit.

Whether you know exactly what you want to study or haven’t quite settled on anything yet, we offer 50+ majors and 60 minors for you to choose from. Our cross-curricular partnerships are limited only by your imagination, and we encourage you to find your perfect match.

Explore our programs.

Accountancy Major

African American Studies Major, Minor

African Studies Minor

American Ethnic Studies Minor

Anthropology Major, Minor

Applied Mathematics Major

Applied Statistics Major

Arabic Minor

Art History Major, Minor

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Major

Bioethics, Humanities & Medicine Minor

Biology Major, Minor

Biophysics Major

Business & Enterprise Management Major

Chemistry Major, Minor, Concentration

Chinese Language & Culture Major, Minor

Classical Languages Major

Classical Studies Major, Minor

Communication Major, Minor

Computer Science Major, Minor

Contemporary Global Studies Minor

Creative Writing Minor

Critical & Creative Media Major

Cultural Heritage & Preservation Studies Minor

Dance Minor

East Asian Studies Minor

Economics Major, Minor

Elementary Education Major

Engineering Major, Minor

English Major, Minor

Entrepreneurship Minor

Environment & Sustainability Studies Major

Environmental Science Major, Minor

Environmental Studies Minor

Film & Media Studies Minor

Finance Major

French Studies Major, Minor, Concentration

German & German Studies Major, Minor

Global Trade & Commerce Studies Minor

Greek Major, Minor

Health & Exercise Science Major

Health & Human Services Minor

Health Policy & Administration Minor

History Major, Minor

Interdisciplinary Humanities Minor

Interdisciplinary Studies Major

Italian Language & Culture Minor

Italian Studies

Japanese Language & Culture Major, Minor

Jewish Studies Minor

Journalism Minor

Latin Major, Minor

Latin-American & Latino Studies Minor

Linguistics Minor

Marketing Communication Minor

Mathematical Business Major

Mathematical Economics Major

Mathematics Major, Minor

Medieval & Early Modern Studies Minor

Middle East & South Asia Studies Minor

Military Science

Music Major, Minor, Concentration

Neuroscience Minor

Philosophy Major, Minor

Physics Major, Minor

Politics & International Affairs Major, Minor

Psychology Major, Minor

Religious Studies Major, Minor

Russian Major, Minor

Russian & East European Studies Minor

Schools, Education and Society Minor

Secondary Education Minor

Sociology Major, Minor

Spanish Major, Minor, Concentration

Statistics Major, Minor

Studio Art Major, Minor

Theatre Major, Minor

Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies Major, Minor

Writing Minor

Did you find something you like?

At Wake Forest, you will take intriguing core courses that will connect your learning across the social sciences, sciences, languages, literature, arts, mathematics and humanities. This breadth of exposure will make all the difference in your future. You will choose a major that thrills you and, at the same time, will give you expert knowledge and skills.

Ready to take the next step?

Plan Your Visit

It’s a wonderful experience to walk the Magnolia Quad, visit Wait Chapel, and speak with the faculty, staff, and students who make Wake the special community that it is.

Request Info

Learn how, at Wake Forest, you can surround yourself with smart, dedicated, passionate people from all over the world, who want to build a better society.

No matter how you apply, what matters is that we get to know you and gain a full appreciation of your excellence.

Wake Forest Scholars Program

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• External Awards and Fellowships

Opportunities at Wake

Wake Forest offers an abundance of scholarship and fellowship opportunities for undergraduate students to pursue during their academic tenure.

Wake Forest Research Fellowship

Wake Forest Research Fellowships (WFRF) are designed to provide students with the opportunity to participate in intensive scholarship under the mentorship of a Wake Forest University faculty member across the summer months. The fellowship provides a $4,000 stipend and housing for a 10-week summer fellowship to conduct research with a Wake Forest Reynolda College faculty mentor.

Wake Forest Arts and Humanities Research Fellowship

Wake Forest Arts and Humanities Research Fellowships (WFA&HF) are designed to provide students with the opportunity to participate in intensive scholarship under the mentorship of a Wake Forest University faculty member across the summer months. The WFA&HF provides a $2,000 stipend and housing to support half-summer (5 week) projects mentored by Reynolda College faculty in Divisions I (Humanities), II (Literature), and III (Fine Arts).

Richter Scholarship Program

The Richter Scholar awards are available for  graduate  and undergraduate students for the purpose of globally-oriented independent study in foreign countries. Students are encouraged to pursue enriching, broadening projects that have the promise of being life-changing. To enrich the independent study experience, each student is required to have a faculty mentor for their project. The Richter Scholarship awards up to $6,000 to cover travel and living expenses.

Starr Travel Grant

Designed to support undergraduate students in presenting research findings at professional meetings or at the annual meetings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.

Interdisciplinary Arts Center (IAC)

Provides funding for creative interdisciplinary projects and partnerships, including performances, commissions, exhibitions, salons, and more.

Inside WFU – news for the Wake Forest community

2024-25 wake forest fellows announced.

May 2, 2024

Since 2008, the Wake Forest Fellows program has provided exceptional Wake Forest College graduates with the opportunity to work in higher education administration for a year. Each fellow is serving as a full-time Wake Forest staff member, starting July 1. In addition to working with top administrators, the fellows will participate in leadership activities and interact with faculty, staff and students to learn about the inner workings of higher education.

The Wake Forest Fellows for 2024-25 are:

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Justin Linden (Natick, Massachusetts) History major with minors in biology and chemistry

Campus Life Leanna Bernish (Clemmons, North Carolina) Environmental science major with minors in anthropology and dance

Dean of the College Aditi Samavedy (Knoxville, Tennessee) Psychology major with minors in sociology and politics and international affairs

Information Systems Ashley Cranford ((Clemmons, North Carolina) Sociology major with a minor in music

Leadership and Character Roscoe Bell (Jacksonville, Florida) – Second year Psychology major with a minor in music

President’s Office Tatum Pike (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) Sociology major with minors in anthropology, and schools, education, and society

Provost’s Office William “Ritt” Culbreth (Harrisonburg, Virginia) Philosophy, and politics and international affairs majors

School of Business Aarya Deshmukh (New Albany, Ohio) Economics and philosophy majors

START Gallery Maya Whitaker (Winston-Salem, NC) – Second year Sociology major with minors in art history and studio art

Wake Downtown Erin McCollum (Charlotte, North Carolina) Biochemistry and molecular biology majors with a minor in Spanish

ZSR Library Emma Gauthier (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) History major with a minor in French Studies

Categories: Inside WFU

Recent Posts

• Responding to Acts of Vandalism and Hate Speech May 2, 2024
• 2024-25 Wake Forest Fellows announced May 2, 2024
• Wake Forest email use policy May 2, 2024

Inside WFU - news for the Wake Forest community

Inside WFU is published by the  Office of Communications and External Relations  to encourage communication and promote community among faculty and staff. We encourage faculty and staff to  submit items to include .

Contact Us Submit a Calendar Item

New Undergraduate Students

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Welcome to Wake Forest University! Important Dates and Details

Monday, March 4, 2024

Dear students,

We are so thrilled you will be joining us as a member of the Class of 2028! Please allow us to introduce ourselves: we are  Dr. Cherise James , ​Director of Orientation, New Student and Transition Programs, and  Dr. Betsy Chapman  (‘92, MA ‘94), Executive Director of Family Communications. In her work with student Orientation programming, Dr. James will be in touch with you throughout the spring and summer. In her role with family communications, Dr. Chapman will be sharing messages directly with your parents and families from this point until you graduate. 

We wanted to send this initial message to the personal email address you included on your admissions application so that this important information would not be missed as you prepare to join us in Fall 2024. However, please note that  all subsequent emails will be sent to your WFU email address.

Early Decision website and New Students website

We are excited to share our newly created  Early Decision website  to keep you informed prior to the  May 1st  launch of our official Class of 2028  New Students website .  You should note that the New Students website is being updated as we speak, so the information and dates currently on the website are for the Class of 2027.  Some members of our incoming class have found it helpful to get a sense of what their summer might look like as they graduate from high school and prepare for their entry into the Wake Forest community!  But please be aware that dates currently on that site are from  last summer .

Move-In Dates

We also want to share some important tentative  Move-In dates  with you:

• Information about all these Pre-Orientation experiences will be communicated to you via email in the next 2-3 weeks.  We ask that you delay finalizing your travel plans until you have considered Pre-Orientation experiences  and have final communication from Residence Life and Housing about your  approved  move-in date.  The Pre-Orientation registration process will launch on May 1st  and will be available at  newstudents.wfu.edu .
• International students  must  arrive on Saturday, August 17 between 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST  See “Important Message for International Students” later in this message.
• New and transfer students  not  participating in Pre-Orientation programs will move in Wednesday, August 21st.  Check-In and Move-In Assistance will be available from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Note: All students must be moved in by 1 p.m. 
• Other students may be approved to move in earlier, such as student-athletes. If you are approved for early move-in, instructions, including your move-in date, will be sent to you later this summer from the  Office of Residence Life and Housing .  

Orientation Dates:

• There will also be a  mandatory online Orientation  for all incoming students to  complete during the summer.  Information about the online Orientation will be made available to you after July 1. There will also be in-person Orientation events for students beginning on August 21 through the first day of classes on August 26. 
• August 21-22: Orientation for Parents and Families.  We will have some in-person Orientation activities for parents and families on the evening of  Wednesday, August 21st  through the evening of  Thursday, August 22nd . Families should plan to depart late Thursday night or Friday morning, as students will be involved in their own Orientation programming.  While parent and family Orientation sessions are not mandatory, we strongly encourage attendance if your family’s schedule allows.  Information about all these sessions will be available closer to July.
• August 26: First Day of Classes  (i.e., FDOC) 
• September 27-29: Family Weekend.  Family Weekend is planned and facilitated by the Division of Campus Life. The weekend is scheduled in conjunction with our football game against Louisiana; more information about Family Weekend will be available in early summer at  https://familyweekend.wfu.edu/ . Your family may wish to begin securing their lodging for Family Weekend now.

Important Message for International Students: 

• ISS will communicate details regarding visa status and the Connect@Wake schedule of activities to new international students through their WFU email account. Additional information will be added to the  Connect@Wake website  throughout the spring semester.  International students should reach out to ISS ( [email protected] ) regarding any questions, and please continue to monitor their ISSDeacs account for updates. For now, international students need to take action in the ISSDeacs system to request an I-20 or DS-2019. The ISS team looks forward to welcoming our new class of Demon Deacons to campus.

A few important announcements to put on your radar:

• More information to come in May:  When the New Students website launches for the  Class of 2028  on  May 1st , it will give a comprehensive look at what you will need to do over the summer to be ready to start classes in the fall. In May, you will also begin receiving email communications from Dr. James with key information, due dates, action items, and more.
• Workday:  In March, once you have your Wake Forest email address, you will be prompted to complete some of your new student onboarding steps through a platform called  Workday.  This is also the system you will use later in the summer to register for your fall courses. While some forms will be available through Workday, please reference the New Student website after it launches May 1st to find the most up to date checklist and timeline. 
• New Student Receptions:  This summer, a series of virtual and in-person receptions for new students and their families will be held across the country. We hope that every incoming family will join us at the virtual reception and that you’ll also register for a local reception should one be offered in your area. Please check the  New Student Receptions  page on May 1st for a list of events and to register. Note that events will be added throughout June, so check the website frequently for additions.
• Parent and Family Communications:  So that we are certain we have correct contact information for your family (to reach them in an emergency, to send important Wake Forest news, or to send information about Wake Forest events in their home area),  we need each parent or guardian to log into our family record system, Wake Network, to verify your family record. Your family can find instructions on how to do this  here .

Finally, a reminder about the calendar: Use a pencil, not a pen. 

If we learned anything in the past several years, it’s been the importance of flexibility. Dates in emails and on websites are accurate at the time of publication, but the University will adapt to any changing conditions if needed. It will be important to keep checking your WFU email (starting now) and the New Students website (starting May 1st) so you have the most up-to-date information.

This is an exciting time for students and families alike, and we look forward to getting to know you better during your time at Wake Forest. If you have questions or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact our offices.

With best wishes,

Cherise James, Ph.D. ​Director of Orientation, New Student and Transitions Programs Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (‘92, MA ‘94) Executive Director of Family Communications 

Recent Posts

• Weekly update for incoming WFU families May 1, 2024
• August 2024: Pre-Orientation Programs April 1, 2024
• Welcome to Wake Forest University! Important Dates and Details March 27, 2024

Office of the President

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Responding to Acts of Vandalism and Hate Speech

Dear members of the Wake Forest community, 

Overnight, individuals vandalized sidewalks and a tree on the Reynolda Campus using spray paint. This criminal act also violates the student code of conduct. One incident of this vandalism included the use of vile, antisemitic language. The University has also received reports of racist, anti-Black, antisemitic, Islamophobic, and homophobic speech. Expressions of hatred directed toward an individual or group are completely antithetical to our values and are abhorrent and unacceptable. 

The Wake Forest University Police Department is actively investigating these incidents. If you have information, please call 336-758-5591 or use the Silent Witness reporting tool to remain anonymous. 

Because of these incidents, and recurring incidents of chalking and posting that violate our University’s stated chalking policies , chalking on University sidewalks, including in the area designated for such activity by students, is suspended for the remainder of the academic year through Commencement. Existing chalking in any areas will be removed and any instances of chalking found will be promptly removed. Students found in violation of this directive will be subject to conduct action.

We are living in volatile and difficult times, but we cannot and will not waver in our commitment to protect campus health and safety, to uphold University values and to continue to demonstrate caring for one another.

Sincerely, 

Susan R. Wente  President

Categories: Emails

Recent Posts

• Responding to Acts of Vandalism and Hate Speech May 2, 2024
• A message to our community May 1, 2024
• Making time for moments of connection April 25, 2024

College of Humanities

Main navigation, college of humanities faculty honored with university accolades, calvin s. and jeneal n. hatch prize in teaching: vincent cheng, distinguished professor and shirley sutton thomas, professor of english.

The Calvin S. and JeNeal N. Hatch Prize in Teaching is provided by an endowment given to the University of Utah by Mr. and Mrs. Hatch. The purpose of the prize is to recognize an outstanding teacher at the U and to “make a contribution to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge, and to improve our ability to communicate with each other.” The prize is awarded for excellence in teaching over an extended period of time and is usually awarded to an outstanding faculty member who has been teaching at the U for at least 20 years.

Vincent Cheng is the author of many scholarly articles and books, including “Joyce, Race, and Empire,” “Shakespeare and Joyce: A Study of Finnegans Wake,” “Le Cid: A Translation in Rhymed Couplets,” “Inauthentic: The Anxiety Over Culture and Identity” and—most recently—"Amnesia and the Nation: History, Forgetting, and James Joyce.” His work addresses the intersections of postcolonial studies, race studies, twentieth-century literature and contemporary culture.

“What strikes me most about Dr. Cheng’s pedagogy is how direct and personal it is. He rarely uses technology, but this has not made him any less of a draw for our students. Almost every time I pass his office, he has a student in there. With the simplest means – teacher, students and a text – he does more than any technology could achieve.” -From Cheng’s nomination letter

Community Engaged Teaching & Scholarship Award: Gregory Smoak, Associate Professor of History

The Community Engaged Teaching and Scholarship award recognizes and rewards a University of Utah faculty member of any rank for high quality work that integrates teaching, research, and community engagement. The award recognizes faculty who show a record of successful teaching and research that is carried out through long-term, collaborative community-engaged partnerships that address a community-identified need or priority. 

Smoak’s research focuses on the Native and environmental history of the American West. As a publicly engaged historian, he has worked on projects for the National Park Service and the United States Forest Service as well as numerous Native peoples including the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, the Big Sandy Rancheria of Western Mono Indians, and the Navajo Nation.

“Dr. Smoak is recognized throughout the nation and indeed internationally, for his wide-ranging contributions to public history and the institutions that support it. He has advised 53 graduate students in his time at the University of Utah and is renowned for his deep knowledge, high standards, and commitment to effective teaching and mentoring. His is the real deal: an immense asset to the University of Utah and the diverse communities and publics it seeks to serve.” - From Smoak’s nomination letter

Distinguished Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Mentor Award: MaryAnn Christison, Distinguished Professor of Linguistics

Established in 2006, the Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Distinguished Mentor Award honors and encourages the considerable efforts and accomplishments of faculty who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

Christison studies theoretical and methodological approaches from various disciplines to understand the role that language plays in society. Her aim is to develop a knowledge base about language and its users and uses to explore the biological underpinnings of second language acquisition. Her current research focuses on multilingual pedagogies and the use of online technologies in language teacher education. She also works in second language (L2) curriculum design (particularly content and language-integrated learning and multilingualism). Her research agenda includes combining theories and methodologies from neuroscience to answer questions about how language develops in the bilingual brain. 

“Throughout our interactions, Dr. Christison’s approachability, willingness to share expertise, and encouragement have created a nurturing atmosphere for intellectual growth. Her insightful feedback on my research and scholarly pursuits has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of my academic journey. Collaborating with Dr. Christison has not only enriched my understanding of the subject matter but has also instilled in me a deep appreciation for the importance of mentorship in academia. Her mentorship extends beyond the confines of the classroom, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among her mentees.” - From Christison’s nomination letter

Distinguished Research Award: Kimberly Kaphingst, Professor of Communication

The Distinguished Research Award is a prestigious faculty award designed to recognize outstanding achievements in research by three University of Utah faculty each year. It provides the faculty member with a grant to pursue research and/or creative pursuits and recognition at the U commencement. Nominees are evaluated on the impact and significance of their career research or scholarly work to their field, as well as to the improvement and enrichment of the human condition.

Kaphingst is interested in researching health communication, digital health, and genetic literacy. A major focus of her health communication research is in the context of cancer genetic and genomic information, examining patient responses to risk information and individuals’ preferences for return of genetic information. She is interested in developing and testing digital health approaches such as chatbots to provide cancer genetic services and risk information to patients. Kaphingst is also interested in implementing strategies to improve the process of consent in? cancer-related clinical trials for patients with varying levels of health literacy.

“In 2016, a program was launched called Cancer Moonshot. The goal of this program was ‘to accelerate scientific discovery in cancer research, foster greater collaboration, and improve the sharing of cancer data.’ Generally speaking, the Cancer Moonshot program aimed to fund cutting-edge cancer research that would have an immediate impact on society. I can think of no evidence of innovation and breakthrough achievement than Dr. Kaphingst both pursuing and being awarded a $5 million Cancer Moonshot grant in 2018, a project that will wrap up this coming calendar year. While the amount of funding is of course impressive, I would argue that receiving funding under such prestigious and public funding mechanism – to do work that actively innovates and provides thought leadership about cancer research – is evidence of a breakthrough achievement.” - From Kaphingst’s nomination letter

Distinguished Teaching Award: Maureen Mathison, Associate Professor of Writing & Rhetoric Studies

The University Distinguished Teaching Award honors significant contributions to the teaching mission of the University of Utah. A nominee for the Distinguished Teaching Award must maintain a consistent record of outstanding teaching performance and implement effective and innovative teaching methods which demonstrate exceptional abilities to motivate student learning. Nominees must show a concern for students and their wider education as well as their career preparation and must also contribute to the educational process outside of the classroom.

Prior to coming to the University of Utah, Mathison was awarded the Charles Phelps Taft Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Cincinnati. Her research interests include rhetoric of science, writing across the curriculum, technical and professional writing, research methods, and interdisciplinarity. Her book on collaborating across disciplines, “ Sojourners and Third Cultures: A Case Study of Teaching Writing in Engineering,”  was published by Utah State University Press in 2019. She has published in  Communication Theory , the  Journal of Business and Technical Communication , the  Journal of Literacy ,  Written Communication , and in numerous edited volumes. Currently, Mathison is completing a book on contemporary controversy in science. Mathison was Director of the University Writing Program for 10 years, and once it achieved departmental status, she served as the inaugural chair.

“Dr. Mathison’s conscientious and patient determination is evident every class day. Her enormous preparation is always clear, she is always responsive and always willing to work closely with students. But also, Dr. Mathison is able to make a space for learning that is kind and compassionate yet persistent toward critical educational goals. She constantly demonstrates an ability to facilitate a deep understanding of critical frameworks from within and through a safe space where learning can happen more freely and easily. Furthermore, she is very capable of making complex ideas accessible to all students. She is an excellent teacher and an excellent communicator." - From Mathison’s nomination letter

Faculty Fellow Awards: Jake Nelson, Assistant Professor of Communication and Peter Roady, Assistant Professor of History

The Faculty Fellow Awards provide faculty members one semester of full release time (from teaching and administrative tasks) at full salary for scholarly and creative projects. The VPR Office defines scholarly activity as a work of scholarship that is peer reviewed and publicly disseminated. Examples of scholarly activity should demonstrate the discovery and/or integration of new knowledge, technologies, methods, or materials. The VPR defines creative activity as original contributions to an investigator’s field of study that are produced through writing, creating, composing, designing, recording, performing, curating, etc.

Nelson’s teaching and research focus on the changing relationship between journalism and the public. He is the author of “ Imagined Audiences: How Journalists Perceive and Pursue the Public ”   which draws on case studies of three news organizations in Chicago to understand how journalists' assumptions about their audiences shape their pursuits of those audiences. His work has been published in top journalism studies and communication journals such as  Digital Journalism ,  New Media & Society , and  Social Media+Society , as well as in public-facing venues such as  Columbia Journalism Review ,  The Conversation , and  Nieman Journalism Law . He is currently working on a book project that examines public trust in journalism, healthcare, and higher education.

Roady is a historian of the 20th and 21st century United States with interests that cut across disciplines and historical subfields. His research focuses on the history of the American national security state and the ways that different conceptions of national security have shaped the United States and its relationship with the world. At the University of Utah, he offers courses on U.S. foreign relations, intelligence, and military history, as well as U.S. political history. Before attending graduate school, he worked for five years in national security and foreign policy positions in the U.S. government, focusing on South Asia and cyber issues.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Jana Cunningham, University of Utah College of Humanities [email protected] | 801-213-0866

Published April 30, 2024