Outstanding Research and Scholarship Awards
Three Kent State University faculty members were honored with the 2016 Outstanding Research and Scholarship Awards at a ceremony that took place on April 5 in the University Library.
This year’s recipients were selected from a large number of nominees by the University Research Council chaired by Françoise Messardier-Kenney, Ph.D., director of Kent State’s Institute for Applied Linguistics. The recipients are Richard Ferdig, Ph.D., instructional technology professor; Joel Hughes, Ph.D., psychology professor; and Polycarp A. Ikuenobe, Ph.D., philosophy professor.
“We’re very proud of the accomplishments of these three faculty members who have brought distinction to the university over the past many years,” said Paul E. DiCorleto, Ph.D., Kent State’s vice president for research. “They were chosen from a truly excellent group of nominees. Their scholarly activities highlight the wide breadth and high caliber of research at Kent State.”
The event, supported by the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs, was part of Kent State’s Faculty Appreciation Week. The week includes a variety of faculty appreciation events hosted by the Office of the Provost.
The ceremony featured comments from Todd Diacon, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost; James Bracken, dean of University Libraries; and DiCorleto. Also honored at the event were faculty authors who published books during the past academic year.
Richard Ferdig, Ph.D.
Ferdig works in Kent State’s Research Center for Educational Technology in the School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences. His research, teaching and service focus on combining cutting-edge technologies with current teaching theory to create innovative learning environments. His research interests include online education, educational games and simulations, the role of faith in technology, and what he labels, a deeper psychology of technology.
For more information about Ferdig, visit www.kent.edu/ehhs/ldes/itec/profile/dr-richard-ferdig.
Joel Hughes, Ph.D.
Hughes’ research interests are in clinical health psychology. He specializes in cardiovascular behavioral medicine. For example, he uses the tools of cardiovascular psychosocial factors, such as the impact of depression and traumatic stress on cardiovascular disease risk. He also is interested in the role of psychosocial factors, such as cognitive impairment, depression and social support in patient self-management of such conditions as heart failure and hypertension.
For more information about Hughes, visit www.kent.edu/psychology/profile/joel-w-hughes.
Polycarp A. Ikuenobe, Ph.D.
Ikuenobe’s research has focused on traditional issues regarding the nature and role of morality and reason in legal, social and political issues, such as adjudication, globalization, multiculturalism, liberalism, democracy, community, colonialism, patriotism, racism and moral ignorance. He has examined the meta-philosophical, logical, epistemological and metaphysical foundations for African communalism. He has argued that African communal values can provide the normative foundation for addressing the problems in many post-colonial African countries.
For more information about Ikuenobe, visit www.kent.edu/philosophy/profile/polycarp-ikuenobe.
For more information about research at Kent State, visit www.kent.edu/research.
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Photo Caption:
Polycarp A. Ikuenobe, Richard Ferdig and Joel Hughes, the recipients of Kent State University’s 2016 Outstanding Research and Scholarship Awards, stand with their awards after being honored in the University Library.
Media Contacts:
Dan Pompili, dpompili@kent.edu, 330-672-0731
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595
Three top researchers in literary studies, liquid crystals and post-traumatic stress received Kent State University’s 2015 Outstanding Research and Scholarship Awards at a ceremony and reception held April 14 on the Kent Campus. The awards are sponsored by the University Research Council and Division of Research and Sponsored Programs.
Mark Bracher, Ph.D., professor of English; Liang-Chy (L.C.) Chien, Ph.D., professor of chemical physics in the Liquid Crystal Institute; and Douglas L. Delahanty, Ph.D., professor of psychological sciences – all faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences – were recognized for their significant research contributions that have an impact on society.
“Their work has been recognized by their peers around the world, and we are honored to celebrate their accomplishments,” said Grant McGimpsey, Ph.D., vice president for research at Kent State.
Mark Bracher, Ph.D.
Bracher’s research focuses on how literary studies can promote social justice and psychological development. He investigates the development of capacities and habits of perception, analysis, reflection and feeling that are necessary for recognizing social injustice, understanding its root causes, formulating effective interventions to counter it and being motivated to take action against it.
Bracher is the author of seven books and has authored and edited multiple book chapters and publications in peer-reviewed journals. He is currently organizing a Why the Humanities conference at Kent State on July 9-12, 2015, highlighting the contributions that humanities education makes to personal well-being, responsible citizenship and social justice.
Bracher received his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1981 and joined Kent State as an English professor in 1995.
L.C. Chien, Ph.D.
Chien’s research interests include the study of advanced functioning materials, structures and surfaces as well as the innovative applications of such materials in displays, electro-optical and photonic devices.
Chien has published 150 articles and more than 150 scientific proceedings and digest papers, as well as three books and seven book chapters. He is a co-inventor of bistable reflective cholesteric display, polymer-stabilized liquid crystal display devices and technology, and he holds 25 issued patents.
Chien received his Ph.D. in polymer chemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi and joined Kent State’s Liquid Crystal Institute in 1988.
Douglas L. Delahanty, Ph.D.
Delahanty’s research explores early biological predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression following traumatic events in children and adults. He conducts translational research, building on his basic findings to develop psychological and pharmacological interventions for reducing and preventing the development of PTSD.
He has authored and co-authored numerous, highly cited publications in these areas, and his research has been funded by major grants totaling more than $6.5 million from the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and other federal and state funding agencies.
In addition to his role as a faculty researcher, Delahanty serves as director of the Initiative for Clinical and Translational Research and chair of the Institutional Review Board at Kent State.
Delahanty joined Kent State in 1997 after receiving his Ph.D. in health psychology from the University of Pittsburgh.
For more information about research at Kent State, visit www.kent.edu/research.
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Photo Caption:
Kent State University scholars (left to right) Douglas Delahanty, L.C. Chien and Mark Bracher display their 2015 Outstanding Research and Scholarship Awards during a Faculty Appreciation Week event in the University Library.
Media Contacts:
Michael Bloom, mbloom11@kent.edu, 330-672-0732
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595