For release: February 25, 2013
For press information, contact Deborah Hernandez, 901- 678-2648

The University of Memphis will honor outstanding faculty researchers at its annual research celebration at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26^th in the University Center, Ballroom C.  Dr. Andy Meyers, vice provost for Research, will host the event, which will feature highlights of 2012 research achievements and the recognition of nine faculty “PI (Principal Investigator) Millionaires”, 26 first-time principal investigators, 39 book authors/editors, and 155 professors currently serving as principal investigators on sponsored research projects.

In fiscal year 2012, U of M faculty members were involved in 363 research projects, supported by $36.5 million in external project funding. In addition to involving 155 professors as principal investigators, these projects supported 452 graduate students and involved more than 100 additional faculty members as co-investigators or collaborators.

The U of M established the “PI Millionaire” program as part of its Centennial Celebration in 2012 to recognize faculty members who have served as PI on $1 million or more in external funding during their tenure at U of M. The nine professors to be recognized as PI Millionaires include:

Jasbir Dhaliwal from Management Information Systems,

Gary Emmert from Chemistry,

Michael Kennedy from Biological Sciences,

Robert Koch from Nursing,

Jim Mitchell from Leadership,

Kay Reeves from Instruction and Curriculum Leadership,

Vasile Rus from Computer Science,

Michael Schmidt from Art, and

Stephan Zanskas from Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research.

In addition, 26 professors will be recognized for being awarded their first sponsored research project funding as a principal investigator. Being named PI on an externally supported project signals attainment of a position of leadership on a research project team and is a key achievement for an academic researcher.

The ceremony will also recognize 39 faculty members who wrote or edited at least one book during 2012. A sampling of these works will be on display; they include academic texts, field guides, histories, case studies, technical scientific manuals, and popular literature.