Professor Laureate Award
The Professor Laureate Award is the college’s highest academic honor, bestowed upon dedicated faculty with outstanding contributions to the missions of research, teaching, mentoring and outreach. The designation is intended to honor recipients and to provide the college with exceptional role models. The title is held for three years and includes an honorarium and two years of research funding.
2025 Professor Laureates
Delphine Farmer, Chemistry
Eric Ross, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Delphine Farmer, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on understanding the air we breathe both indoors and out, and how the chemistry of air impacts human health, ecosystems, and climate.
Farmer grew up in Canada, and received her B.S. in Chemistry from McGill University in Montreal. She moved to warmer climates to earn her Master’s in Environmental Science, Policy and Management and her Ph.D. in Chemistry, both from the University of California at Berkeley. Delphine then held a NOAA Climate and Global Change Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Colorado Boulder, working with aerosol mass spectrometers in forests in the Brazilian Amazon and California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.
At CSU, Farmer runs the Fluxes and Atmospheric Reactivity Measurements and Experiments Research Group, which conducts laboratory and field studies on atmospheric chemistry in both urban and remote settings. While much of the group’s work has focused on ozone and organic aerosol pollution, Farmer’s group has also looked at wildfire smoke, participating in an aircraft project flying into large wildfire plumes, and then more recently looked at how smoke interacts with trees and even buildings.
Eric Ross joined CSU in 2005 and earned the rank of professor in 2017. Ross earned a B.S. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Mayo Clinic.
Ross has made key contributions to understanding protein misfolding and aggregation. Numerous diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, are associated with protein aggregation. In a subset of these disease, termed prions, the protein aggregates are infectious. Ross has helped define the features of proteins that allow them to form infectious protein aggregates. More recently, his lab has focused on defining the normal functions of prion-like proteins.
In addition to his research, Ross is an award-winning teacher and mentor. Undergraduates in his lab have produced 17 co-authorships on research manuscripts and he has used his laboratory to provide course-based undergraduate research experiences for Biochemistry undergraduates. He also developed and teaches a popular Biochemistry of Disease class.
Ross’s service activities include serving on multiple NIH grant review panels, serving on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, and serving terms as both Associate Chair of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Chair Graduate Studies.
Former Professor Laureates
Delphine Farmer, Chemistry
Eric Ross, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Piotr Kokoszka, Statistics
Olve Peersen, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Kim Hoke, Biology
Rachel Pries, Mathematics
Benjamin Clegg, Psychology
Jeffrey Hansen, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Amy Prieto, Chemistry
Indrakshi Ray, Computer Science
Robert J. Wilson, Physics
Jennifer L. Mueller, Mathematics
Charles S. Henry, Chemistry
Jennifer DeLuca, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Mingzhong Wu, Physics
Debbie Garrity, Biology
Ernie Chavez, Psychology
Dan Cooley, Statistics
Melissa Reynolds, Chemistry
Jennifer A. Hoeting, Statistics
Debbie Crans, Chemistry
Anthony Rappé, Chemistry
Robert B. France, Computer Science
Carl E. Patton, Physics
Patricia A. Bedinger, Biology
F. Jay Breidt, Statistics
Steven H. Strauss, Chemistry
Lorann Stallones, Psychology
Laurie Stargell, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Adele Howe, Computer Science
N. LeRoy Poff, Biology
Ellen Fisher, Chemistry
Alan Knapp, Biology
Michael Elliott, Chemistry
Jennifer Nyborg, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
A.S.N. Reddy, Biology
Norman Curthoys, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Richard Davis, Statistics
Jerry Deffenbacher, Psychology
Teaching and Mentoring Awards
The purpose of these awards is to offer public recognition to superior teachers and mentors in our college and to focus attention on our commitment to excellence in education.
2024 Awardees
Early Career Faculty Excellence in Teaching and/or Mentoring (Pre-Tenure)
Matthew D. Koslovsky, Department of Statistics
Nikhil Krishnaswamy, Department of Computer ScienceFaculty Excellence in Graduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Robert Paton, Department of Chemistry
Graduate Student Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Yiqing “Skylar” Yu, Department of Psychology
Austin Ellingworth, Department of StatisticsFaculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Jennifer L. Neuwald, Department of Biology
Dean’s Recognition Award
James Cox, Office of the Dean
Kristin Berthold, Department of Chemistry Darrell Whitley, Department of Computer ScienceEarly Career Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Elizabeth Arnold, Department of Mathematics
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Katherine Hebert, Department of Psychology
Kristen Ruegg, Department of Biology
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Erin Osborne Nishimura, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Hannah Finch, Department of Psychology
Dean’s Recognition Award
Kristen Felten, CNS Office of the Dean
Evelyn Palma, CNS Office of the Dean
Early Career Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Marc Nishimura, Department of Biology
Kayleigh Keller, Department of Statistics
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Dave Matthews, Department of Computer Science
Anna Allen, Department of Chemistry
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Lisa Angeloni, Department of Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Maggi Braasch-Turi, Department of Chemistry
Andrew Tonsager, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Dean’s Recognition Award
Bryan Elder, Department of Mathematics
Ron Costello, Department of Chemistry
Early Career Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Jeffrey Bandar, Department of Chemistry
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Henry Adams, Department of Mathematics
Tanya Dewey, Department of Biology
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Meena Balgopal, Department of Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Katherine McNeely-White, Department of Psychology
Nehali Mhatre, Department of Statistics
Dean’s Recognition Award
Courtney Butler, CNS Education and Outreach Center
Julia Murphy, Office of the Registrar
Early Career Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Joseph Zadrozny, Department of Chemistry
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Joseph Gersch, Department of Computer Science
Jeffrey Hansen, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Jana Anderson, Department of Statistics
Garret Miyake, Department of Chemistry
Graduate Student Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Alex Fout, Department of Statistics
Ashlie Johnson, Department of Psychology
Julie Prosser, Department of Psychology
Dean’s Recognition Award
Alicia Armentrout, Department of Physics
Korina Burn, Dean’s Office
Anne Manning, Strategic Communication and Public Relations
Outstanding Career Contributions in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Brian Jones, Department of Physics
Early Career Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Erin Nishimura, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Kate Ross, Department of Physics
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Tom Santangelo, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Rachel Mueller, Department of Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Ryan Rahm-Knigge, Department of Psychology
Dean’s Recognition Award
Karen Kahler, Department of Chemistry
Ross Madden, College of Natural Sciences
Dean’s Recognition Award
Meagan Taverner, Biology
Jannine Mohr, Office of General Council
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Ben Prytherch, Ph.D., Statistics
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Delphine Farmer, Ph.D., Chemistry
Early Career (Pre-Tenure) Faculty Excellence in Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Jessica Hagman, Ph.D. , Mathematics
Graduate Student Teaching & Mentoring Award
Pam Lundeberg, Psychology
Annalise Maughan, Chemistry
Charles Vollmer, Statistics
Dean’s Recognition Award
Margi Cech, College of Natural Sciences
Betty Wilmoth, Chemistry
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Joseph Diverdi, Ph.D., Chemistry
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Colleen Webb, Ph.D., Biology
Early Career (Pre-Tenure) Faculty Excellence in Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Jamie Neilson, Ph.D. , Chemistry
Dan Sloan, Ph.D., Biology
Graduate Student Teaching & Mentoring Award
Lauren Bates, Psychology
Dean’s Recognition Award
Lisa Anaya Esquibel, Sponsored Programs
Heather L. Michalak, Little Shop of Physics
Robert Adame, Physics Machine Shop
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Eric D. Ross, Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Mary C. Meyer Ph.D., Statistics
Early Career (Pre-Tenure) Faculty Excellence in Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Amber T. Krummel Ph.D., Chemistry
Jaime G. Ruiz, Ph.D., Computer Science
Graduate Student Teaching & Mentoring Award
Samuel T. Dunn, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology
Hillary Wehe, Psychology
Zachary D. Weller, Statistics
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Christopher G. Wilcox, Ph.D., Computer Science
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Shane Kanatous, Ph.D., Biology
Melissa Reynolds, Ph.D., Chemistry
Early Career Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching or Mentoring
Brian McNaughton, Ph.D., Chemistry
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching
Elizabeth Harp, Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Sarah Morrison-Smith, Computer Science
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Shrideep Pallickara, Ph.D., Computer Science
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Matthew P. Shores, Ph.D., Chemistry
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Education & Mentoring
Asa Ben-Hur, Ph.D., Computer Science
Early Career Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching & Mentoring
Santiago Di Pietro, Ph.D., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Sarah Warner Fitzpatrick, Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching
Francis C. Motta, Mathematics
Crystal M. Vander Zanden, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Edward L. DeLosh, Ph.D., Psychology
Patrick D. Shipman, Ph.D., Mathematics
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Lisa Angeloni, Ph. D., Biology
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Education & Mentoring
Donald L. Mykles, Ph.D., Biology
Post-Doctoral Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
E. Dale Broder, Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching
Janet M. Peters, Psychology
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Jennifer Jill Harman, Ph.D., Psychology
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Charles S. Henry, Ph.D., Chemistry
Early Career Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching or Mentoring
Lisa Angeloni, Ph.D., Biology
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Education and Mentoring
Eugene Y. Chen, Ph.D., Chemistry
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching
Leif Anderson, Physics
Erin M. Schliep, Statistics
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Education and Mentoring Award
Kurt Kraiger, Ph.D., Psychology
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching Award
Charles F. Stone, Biology
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award
Aaron J. Sholders, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award
Simon J. Tavener, Ph.D., Mathematics
Early Career (pre-tenure) Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching or Mentoring Award
Mingzhong Wu, Physics
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching
Amanda E. Sensenig, Psychology
Cassandra L. Williams, Mathematics
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Patricia A. Bedinger, Ph.D., Biology
Ross M. McConnell, Ph.D., Computer Science
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Lisa Dysleski, Ph.D., Chemistry
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Education and Mentoring
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching
Tenaya L. Newkirk, Ph.D., Chemistry
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Gregory L. Florant, Ph.D., Biology
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Norman P. Curthoys, Ph.D., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adele E. Howe, Ph.D., Computer Science
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Education and Mentoring
Laurie A. Stargell, Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching
Jacob A. Benfield, Ph.D., Psychology
Adam N. Pearlstein, Ph.D., Physics
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Benjamin A. Clegg, Ph.D., Psychology
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
R. Steve Robinson, Ph.D., Physics
Faculty Excellence in Teaching & Mentoring – Early Career Award
Cameron K. Ghalambor, Ph.D., Biology
Faculty Excellence in Teaching Innovation
Karla J. Gingerich, Ph.D., Psychology