[{"id":1615,"date":"2026-05-08T14:43:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T14:43:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/engineering\/?p=1615"},"modified":"2026-05-08T14:43:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T14:43:21","slug":"the-new-vcu-annual-research-impact-awards-recognize-10-honorees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/engineering\/2026\/05\/08\/the-new-vcu-annual-research-impact-awards-recognize-10-honorees\/","title":{"rendered":"The new VCU Annual Research Impact Awards recognize 10 honorees"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The inaugural VCU-ARIA ceremony honored outstanding academic and scientific research achievements by faculty and postdoctoral fellows, celebrating discoveries and innovative research that is improving society.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Haley Tenore<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the strength and diversity of Virginia Commonwealth University\u2019s research enterprise \u2013 and the faculty who drive it \u2013 a new signature event April 27 helped round out university\u2019s monthlong Research Weeks program that spotlights innovation and discovery on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VCU-ARIA<\/a> \u2013 the Annual Research Impact Awards \u2013 is a new initiative that honors exceptional research by faculty and postdoctoral fellows. Their work, and the work of their colleagues, has saved, improved and enriched countless lives through their pioneering discoveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile VCU has had a long history of excellence, we felt it was time to establish a dedicated institutional platform to honor the excellence in research, innovation, knowledge creation and creative activity that defines who we are as an institution,\u201d P. Srirama Rao<\/a>, Ph.D., vice president of research and innovation, said in opening remarks at the Cabell Library ceremony. \u201cWe will recognize individuals whose work has simply been transformative.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the 10 inaugural honorees of the VCU-ARIA program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EMINENT RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Frank Gupton<\/a>, Ph.D., received the ceremony\u2019s highest honor. In the College of Engineering, Gupton is the Floyd D. Gottwald Jr. Chair in Pharmaceutical Engineering with the Department of Chemical and Life Sciences Engineering. And as founder of the Medicines for All Institute, he is pioneering the more efficient production of medications to expand global access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDr. Gupton\u2019s career embodies a rare combination of scientific excellence, global health leadership and transformational impact on the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing,\u201d said Azim Eskandarian, D.Sc., dean of the College of Engineering. \u201cHis work has reshaped how essential medicines are produced, lowering costs, improving access and strengthening both domestic and international supply chain resilience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gupton joined VCU after a decades-long career in pharmaceutical engineering. At the VCU-ARIA ceremony, he delivered a presentation that outlined his journey \u2013 with its achievements in drug production propelling treatments for conditions such as malaria, HIV\/AIDS, COVID-19 and tuberculosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Eminent Research of the Year, Gupton was awarded $10,000 through the VCU-ARIA program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
The Annual Research Impact Awards honors work that has saved, improved and enriched countless lives through their pioneering discoveries. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH WINNERS<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In four categories \u2013 optimizing health, supporting sustainable energy and environments, advancing societal well-being, and enriching the human experience \u2013 faculty honorees were awarded $5,000 each for their achievements.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optimizing health: Jonathan E. Isaacs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"A
Jonathan E. Isaacs (center) with P. Srirama Rao, Art Saavedra, Lisa Ballance and John Ryan. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Isaacs<\/a>, M.D., is a surgeon who specializes in orthopedics, specifically hand and wrist and peripheral nerve surgery. His career has represented a \u201cmodel of sustained, high-impact, translational research into peripheral nerve surgery,\u201d his nominator said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaacs also co-invented Nerve Tape<\/a>, which reduces trauma from nerve injuries and connects nerves quickly and accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting sustainable energy and environments: M. Samy El-Shall<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"A
M. Samy El-Shall (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

El-Shall<\/a>, Ph.D., the Mary Eugenia Kapp Chair with the Department of Chemistry in the College of Humanities and Sciences, was recognized for his understanding of physics and chemistry on a nanoscale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El-Shall\u2019s nominator cited his \u201cseminal and groundbreaking work in the understanding of physical and chemical phenomena at the nanoscale, the design and production of nanomaterials and the applications of nanoscience and nanotechnology to energy, water and environmental problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advancing societal well-being: Andrew J. Barnes<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"A
Andrew J. Barnes (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Barnes<\/a>, Ph.D., is a professor of health policy in the School of Public Health. His research on Medicaid has improved health systems, which in turn has bolstered patient outcomes among more than 500,000 Virginia residents covered by the program. Barnes is also the director of the Office of Medicaid Evaluation at VCU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe demonstrates how rigorous research can improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations on a large scale,\u201d his nominator said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enriching the human experience: Stephen Vitiello<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"A
Stephen Vitiello (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Vitiello<\/a> is a professor and chair of the Department of Kinetic Imaging in the School of Arts, as well as an electronic musician and sound and media artist. His work has been included in the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHis career exemplifies how research can illuminate fundamental scientific, cultural and technological processes while contributing meaningfully to the intellectual capital across the globe,\u201d his nominator said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RISING STARS<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the same four categories, the Rising Star honorees \u2013 each receiving $2,500 from the VCU-ARIA program \u2013 are nontenured faculty who have made major impacts in their fields of research.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optimizing health: Can E. Senkal<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"A
Can E. Senkal (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Senkal<\/a>, Ph.D., an assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology in the School of Medicine. was cited for his research on lipid signaling and cancer biology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With research focusing on how cancer behaves at the cellular level \u2013 and specifically how it differs from healthy cells \u2013 Senkal is exploring new pathways for cancer treatment, his nominator said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting sustainable energy and environments: Radhika Barua<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"A
Radhika Barua (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Barua<\/a>, Ph.D., is an assistant professor with the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering in the College of Engineering. An emerging expert in sustainable energy, she is focusing on the design and low-carbon manufacturing of advanced functional materials for clean energy technologies, including high-efficiency electric motors, solid-state heat pumps, and magnetic components for fusion energy systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer work addresses foundational challenges in electrification, energy efficiency and supply chain resilience,\u201d her nominator wrote, citing its alignment with national priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advancing societal well-being: Ann F. Haynos<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"A
Ann F. Haynos (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Haynos<\/a>, Ph.D., is an assistant professor with the Department of Psychology in the College of Humanities and Sciences. Her research aims to support those with potentially life-threatening mental health conditions, notably eating disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy working at this intersection of neuroscience and clinical science, her lab aims to produce precise yet clinically impactful, mechanistic data that can enhance the treatment targeting severe psychological conditions,\u201d her nominator wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enriching the human experience: Samuel J. Kessler<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"A
Samuel J. Kessler (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kessler<\/a>, Ph.D., is the Harry Lyons Chair in Judaic Studies with the Department of History in the College of Humanities and Sciences. His research focuses on how religion has impacted European history and literature, particularly focusing on Jewish history and literature that focuses on the Holocaust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kessler also leads the Lyons Lecture Series in Judaic Studies, which is an installment of a new four-part lecture series presented by VCU\u2019s Center for the Study of Global Religions and Spiritualities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW OF THE YEAR<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"A
Paige E. Allen (second from left) with Art Saavedra, provost and executive vice president; P. Srirama Rao, vice president for research and innovation; and John Ryan, associate vice president. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paige E. Allen, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Medicine\u2019s Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Her research focuses on interactions between hosts and microbes, specifically related to rickettsial infections that typically are caused by fleas, ticks, mites and lice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her nominator called her a cutting-edge scientist who \u201calready had a chance to prove herself as an excellent didactic lecturer to grad students. She \u2026 has a refreshing and contagious love for science, something we all need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allen received a $1,000 award from the VCU-ARIA program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Originally posted on VCU News: https:\/\/news.vcu.edu\/article\/the-new-vcu-annual-research-impact-awards-recognize-10-honorees<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A team of four seniors designed a real-world, high-performance residual limb warmer for winter para-athletes, winning them third place at the nonprofit \u201cProject S.E.R.V.E.\u201d Annual National Design Competition.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A team of four biomedical engineering students from the VCU College of Engineering<\/a> were awarded third place at the 2026 Project S.E.R.V.E. Annual National Design Competition<\/a>, held April 25 at Virginia Tech. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the guidance of their faculty advisor, Associate Professor Priscilla Hwang, Ph.D.<\/a> from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the team designed a real-world, high-performance residual limb warmer for winter para-athletes. The work also served as the team\u2019s VCU capstone project, which earned them second place in the biomedical engineering category at the VCU College of Engineering Capstone Expo<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is an amazing accomplishment for my team,\u201d said Hwang. \u201cIt’s been inspiring to watch them take a design idea to a final product. This project is a great example of the students applying all the biomedical engineering skills they learned in the classroom toward a real-world product.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditional winter sports pose extreme cold challenges for all athletes, particularly para-athletes in skeleton and bobsled who face unique environmental demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before a skeleton run, para-athletes must remove their prosthetics, leaving residual limbs exposed to extreme cold. Current warming methods, like taping on chemical heat pads, are inconsistent and lack control. This lack of a reliable warming solution poses risks of discomfort, skin irritation and serious injury between runs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teams participating in the 2026 Project S.E.R.V.E competition were challenged to engineer a real-world solution for these athletes by creating a safe, effective warming system for residual limbs\u2014designed in partnership with Team USA\u2019s Para Sliding program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From VCU Engineering, four students\u2014all of whom are studying abroad from Kuwait\u2014took on the year-long project: Mudhi Albader, Rianah Aleisa, Sulaiman Alrabah and Yahya Alrushaid. They collaborated directly with decorated skeleton para-athlete Chris Tarte, as well as representatives from Project S.E.R.V.E.<\/a>, a nonprofit that engineers personalized solutions for veterans and emergency responders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe team met with their athlete and Project S.E.R.V.E. mentors regularly throughout the year,\u201d said Hwang. \u201cThey always took any feedback received to further enhance their product, which is why the final product achieves their design goals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning & Design<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To tackle the project, the students broke out into distinctive roles aimed at highlighting an individual\u2019s expertise or unique capabilities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n