Research Awards

This page highlights recent research awards received by faculty and staff across the University of Memphis, showcasing the scope, scale, and impact of their work. These awards support innovative research, creative activity, and community-engaged projects spanning transportation, public safety, health, education, the arts, and workforce development.

Collectively, they reflect strong partnerships with federal, state, industry, and nonprofit funders and underscore the University’s commitment to advancing knowledge, addressing real-world challenges, and creating lasting impact locally and beyond.

Dr. James Whelan, Professor of Psychology and Executive Director of the Tennessee Institute of Gambling Education and Research, received $4,381,335 from the Tennessee Department of Health and Substance Abuse Services for his project “Change the Odds.”

 

Dr. Rachel Diner, Assistant Professor of Biology, received $506,270 from the National Institutes of Health for her project “Microbiome modulation of environmental contaminant concentrations in shellfish.”

 

Dr. Thomas Sutter, Professor of Biology and W. Harry Feinstone Chair of Excellence in Molecular Biology, received $365,000 from the National Institutes of Health for his project “Cellular Determinants of AH Receptor Signaling.”

 

Dr. Brian Waldron, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering (CAESER), received $170,000 from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for his project “TDA Phase 3.”

Dr. Brandon Booth, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, received $130,075 from the Office of Naval Research for his project “Generative Artificial Intelligence Facilitated After-Action Reviews for Military Training.”

 

Dr. Chrisann Schiro-Geist, Professor of Counseling, Educational Psychology & Research, received $124,394 from the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for her project “University of Memphis Tennessee Believes Program 2026-2029.”

 

Dr. Marian Levy, Professor of Social & Behavioral Sciences and Associate Dean of Public Health Practice & Community Engagement, received $75,000 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for her project “Transforming Academia for Opportunity.”

 

Dr. Ranganathan Gopalakrishnan, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, received $50,000 from the National Science Foundation for his project “NSF I-Corps Dry powder delivery.”

Dr. Yufeng Zhang, Associate Professor of Health Sciences, received $50,000 from the National Science Foundation for his project “Production of red carotenoid pigment using recombinant yeast.”

 

Dr. Ashish Joshi, Distinguished University Professor and Dean of the School of Public Health, received $25,387 from the Tennessee Department of Health for his project “Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure ECHO (BOLD ECHO).”

 

Dr. Stephen Zanskas, Professor of Counseling, Educational Psychology & Research and Associate Dean of the College of Engineering, received $21,508 from the State of Tennessee for his project “TN Vocational Rehabilitation Professional Development.”