Top Researchers, Scholars Honored With Inaugural UM Awards

The event, held at The Inn at Ole Miss, recognized faculty whose work has elevated the university's research and creative scholarship profile and contributed to its R1 designation, a classification for institutions with the highest levels of research activity.

"As you progress in your careers, I once again encourage you to keep nurturing the drive and the yearning that led you here," Chancellor Glenn Boyce told the honorees. "You are and can be the most inspirational voices on this campus. Keep setting that bar high.

"We need you to continue to be the example not just for your students, but for our young researchers, too. Help them change the world."

Breese Quinn, professor of physics and astronomy and director of the Center for Multi-messenger Astrophysics, received the Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award. This longstanding award honors a faculty member who has achieved national or international recognition for work in their field with a plaque and monetary award.

Quinn, who joined the Ole Miss faculty in 2004, has authored more than 475 research publications and his career is marked by awards and accolades for his work. He was the first Mississippian named to the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation's High Energy Physics Advisory Panel and has worked at the Department of Energy's Fermilab, a leading particle physics and accelerator laboratory near Chicago, for more than 35 years.

"Dr. Quinn exemplifies what it means to be a leading researcher and mentor," said John C. Higginbotham, vice chancellor for research and economic development. "His work in particle physics and his dedication to students have brought national attention to our university and inspired the next generation of scientists.

"This award honors not just his extraordinary work, but the way his work elevates our university and our students."

The Office of Technology Commercialization recognized Nathan Hammer, the Margaret McLean Coulter Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Michael Repka, distinguished professor of pharmaceutics and drug delivery and director of the Pii Center for Pharmaceutical Technology, as UM Inventors.

Both Hammer and Repka lead teams that that earned U.S. patents last year. Hammer's team patented NIR-II dyes, compounds that can help researchers image biomolecules in deep tissue imaging. Repka's team developed a new method for making solid medications using a dry process, which can aid in making high-dose medicines or those that could be damaged by water.

Hammer and Repka were awarded with plaques with each of the inventors' names and the first page of the patent engraved on them.

The inaugural Awards for Research and Creative Scholarship highlighted faculty members in multiple categories, including arts and humanities; social and behavioral sciences; and life science, physical science, math or engineering. Each recipient received a trophy and monetary award.

"While it's easy to look back on a long career and see the impact a faculty member has made, it's sometimes harder to see progress as it's happening," Provost Noel Wilkin said. "Each step from assistant to associate then full professor creates an arc of accomplishments that deserves to be recognized.

"The chancellor saw the need to highlight outstanding faculty throughout their careers, and so we created the Awards for Research and Creative Scholarship."

For the arts and humanities awards, the university recognized Jacob Justice, assistant professor of speech communication, and Deborah Mower, professor of philosophy and religion and director of The Center for Practical Ethics.

In the social and behavioral sciences awards, the honorees are Hannah Allen, assistant professor of public health; Saijun Zhang, associate professor of social work; and Minsoo Kang, professor of health, exercise science and recreation management.

For life science, physical science, math or engineering, the chancellor recognized Eden Tanner, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry; Sasan Nouranian, associate professor of chemical engineering; Nikki Reinemann, associate professor of biomedical engineering; and Gregg Roman, professor of pharmacology.

"Whether it's through groundbreaking science, artistic insight or social impact, the faculty honored tonight are changing the face of this university," Higginbotham said. "Their work doesn't just add to academic knowledge; it builds a foundation for future discovery, collaboration and leadership on our campus."

Top: Breese Quinn, professor of physics and astronomy and director of the Center for Multi-messenger Astrophysics, is the 2025 winner of the Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award, the highest research award the university bestows. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

See photos of all the honorees from the ceremony