Distinguished Professorships

Impact Report

With funding provided by the Claire May and William Band Distinguished Professorship in Physics, Dr. Maria Charisi is advancing research on supermassive black hole pairs formed when galaxies collide. Her work combines telescope observations and emerging gravitational wave technology to help detect these hard-to-find systems. The professorship has also supported a research team of graduate, postdoctoral, and undergraduate students who are developing new methods to identify black hole pairs and preparing to use data from the new Rubin Observatory. Their research has led to published studies, strengthened international collaborations, and secured additional funding opportunities. Looking ahead, Dr. Charisi and her team will continue searching for black hole binaries, analyzing new astronomical data, and training the next generation of WSU researchers.

Impact Report

Made possible through the William Band Distinguished Professorship in Physics, Dr. Yefeng Mei has continued advancing research in quantum science, exploring new ways to control atoms and light that could help power future technologies such as quantum computing, advanced sensors, and secure communications. Over the past year, he expanded laboratory capabilities, published and presented research, and mentored both graduate and undergraduate students, helping train the next generation of scientists. The professorship also supported innovative teaching approaches that improved student engagement in physics courses. These accomplishments have helped attract additional research funding and strengthen WSU’s growing leadership in quantum science. Looking ahead, Dr. Mei plans to expand research opportunities for students, pursue major grant funding, and continue developing practical quantum technologies through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Impact Report

Through the generosity of the Berry Family Distinguished Professorship, Dr. Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe is advancing research aimed at helping older adults stay independent, maintain brain health, and reduce the risk of dementia. Her team is studying how everyday factors such as physical activity, social connections, emotions, and home environments affect memory and thinking skills. Using wearable devices and simple in-home technology, the project has already enrolled more than 100 older adults and is on track to reach its goal of 230 participants. The professorship has also provided valuable research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, helping them gain hands-on experience and present their work at professional conferences. Looking ahead, the research team plans to complete data collection and use the findings to develop better ways to support healthy aging and cognitive well-being.

Impact Report

Because of support from the Boeing Distinguished Professorship in Science and Mathematics Education, Dr. Nairanjana (Jan) Dasgupta has continued leading efforts to improve data literacy and math readiness for students across Washington. Her work includes outreach programs for elementary students, virtual tutoring for K-12 students in rural communities, and initiatives to encourage greater participation in statistics and data science among women and other underrepresented groups. The professorship has also supported student employees, graduate assistants, and research focused on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in education. In addition to her research and teaching, Dr. Dasgupta serves in several national and international leadership roles in statistics and data science. Looking ahead, she plans to expand tutoring opportunities, strengthen partnerships with schools across Washington, and continue supporting student success through outreach, research, and mentorship.

Impact Report

Backed by the Boeing Distinguished Professorship, Dr. Wesley Dowd and his students are studying how marine animals survive environmental stresses such as rising temperatures, low oxygen levels, and changing water conditions. The funding has supported innovative research collaborations, including work with scientists in Canada to better understand how living organisms respond to environmental challenges at the molecular level. It has also helped develop new tools to study how nutrients move through coastal ecosystems and how these processes may help organisms adapt to stress. The research has already led to several publications and conference presentations, while providing valuable hands-on training opportunities for graduate students. Looking ahead, Dr. Dowd plans to expand these studies and pursue additional funding to further advance understanding of marine life and ecosystem resilience.

Impact Report

Supported by the Boeing Distinguished Professorship in Science/Math Education, Dr. Alexander Fremier and his students are developing new ways to monitor salmon populations in remote Alaska rivers and measure the effectiveness of stream restoration projects in Washington. Using innovative camera systems, machine learning, and environmental monitoring tools, the team is helping improve fish population tracking and water management practices. The professorship has provided valuable hands-on research opportunities for undergraduate students and helped generate additional grant funding to expand these projects. Looking ahead, Dr. Fremier and his team will continue deploying monitoring systems, studying the impacts of stream restoration, and advancing solutions that support healthy ecosystems and sustainable natural resource management.

Impact Report

Thanks to generous funding from the Boeing Distinguished Professorship in Environmental Sociology, Dr. Dylan Bugden advanced research examining how people respond to issues involving environmental justice and climate change. His work found that support for environmental organizations can vary depending on individuals’ understanding of racial and social inequality, while a separate study explored public support for more extreme climate activism and the factors that drive it. The professorship also supported collaborations with other researchers, conference presentations, and professional development opportunities for graduate students. Looking ahead, Dr. Bugden plans to expand WSU’s environmental social science community through new partnerships, events, and student learning opportunities focused on climate change and environmental issues.

Impact Report

Made possible by the Lewis E. and Stella G. Buchanan Distinguished Professorship, Dr. Wendy Olson is researching how new writing technologies, especially generative AI, are changing the way students learn and write. Her work explores how students apply writing skills across different academic and professional settings and how AI can both support and challenge that process. Over the past year, the professorship helped fund research, grant development, publications, and collaborations focused on responsible AI use in writing education. Dr. Olson also incorporated her findings into undergraduate and graduate courses, helping students develop critical thinking, ethical AI practices, and strong writing skills. Looking ahead, she plans to continue studying how students use AI in their writing and pursue additional funding to expand this important research.

Impact Report

Bolstered by support from the Buchanan Distinguished Assistant Professorship, Dr. Bibhushana Poudyal has continued research focused on digital storytelling, marginalized communities, and preserving underrepresented voices and histories. The professorship supported work on her second book, a community-led documentary highlighting Indigenous knowledge in Nepal, and an international fellowship program that helps South Asian scholars create public-facing digital projects. Funding also provided opportunities for WSU graduate students to contribute to digital humanities projects and develop educational resources that are freely available online. Looking ahead, Dr. Poudyal plans to expand student engagement, produce new multimedia storytelling projects, complete her book, and release the documentary, all while continuing to amplify diverse voices and strengthen global collaborations.

Impact Report

Supported by the Lewis E. and Stella G. Buchanan Distinguished Associate Professor award, Dr. Roger Whitson advanced research exploring the connections between technology, history, literature, and society. Over the past year, he began developing a collaborative digital archive focused on “Critical Making,” a hands-on approach that encourages public discussion about emerging technologies and their social impact. He also presented research on influential historical figures and literary works as part of a larger book project examining how ideas about time, science, and technology shaped the modern world. Looking ahead, Dr. Whitson plans to complete his book, expand public humanities projects, and create new opportunities for community engagement with technology, history, and culture.

Impact Report

Enabled by the Arnold M. and Atsuko Craft Professorship, Dr. Jeannie Shinozuka has continued important research exploring the connections between race, science, history, and Asian American experiences. The professorship has helped fund archival research across the United States and abroad, supporting work on her second book examining how intelligence testing and racial stereotypes shaped education, medicine, and public policy. Over the past year, she received a prestigious fellowship, presented her research internationally, and earned a major book award for her previous publication. The funding has also supported new scholarly articles and a collaborative art exhibit that highlights Japanese diasporic experiences through history, science, and environmental themes. Looking ahead, Dr. Shinozuka plans to continue her research, publish new work, and expand public engagement through international collaborations and exhibitions.

Impact Report

Through resources provided by the Creighton Distinguished Professorship, Dr. Brian Jensen has expanded research and student training opportunities at WSU’s Institute for Shock Physics. The funding helped support a national summer program that provided hands-on research experiences for students from across the country, strengthened WSU’s visibility through leadership and presentations at major scientific conferences, and upgraded specialized equipment used to study high-speed impact and shock-wave events. These improvements are advancing cutting-edge research while giving students valuable opportunities to work alongside leading scientists. Looking ahead, Dr. Jensen and his team will continue developing new experiments, mentoring graduate students, and exploring important questions related to materials science and our understanding of Earth’s interior.

Impact Report

With continued support from the Herbert L. Eastlick Distinguished Professorship, Dr. Asaph Cousins and his research team are studying how plants adapt to challenging environmental conditions and how that knowledge can be used to improve food production and sustainability. Their work focuses on understanding how plants use water and perform photosynthesis more efficiently, with applications for important crops like corn, wheat, and sorghum. The professorship has supported research on heat-tolerant plants, drought resilience, and crop productivity, while also helping generate preliminary data for major grant proposals. Looking ahead, Dr. Cousins and his students plan to expand these projects and share their findings with the international scientific community, helping advance solutions for future food and energy security challenges.

Impact Report

Made possible through the support of the Herbert L. Eastlick Distinguished Professorship, Dr. Michael Skinner has continued leading groundbreaking research in environmental epigenetics, the study of how environmental factors can influence health across generations. Over the past 13 years, the professorship has helped support more than 167 scientific publications, over $15 million in research funding, and the training of numerous undergraduate and graduate students. Recent research from Dr. Skinner’s lab has advanced understanding of how environmental exposures can affect disease risk, reproduction, and even evolutionary processes across multiple generations. The impact of this work has gained international attention through high-profile publications, media coverage, and documentaries, while helping establish Dr. Skinner as a global leader in the fields of epigenetics and reproductive science.

Impact Report

With funding provided by the Herbert L. Eastlick Distinguished Professorship, Dr. Andrew Storfer has advanced promising cancer research that could one day lead to new treatments for colorectal cancer, one of the deadliest cancers among younger adults. His team discovered that increasing the activity of a specific gene, called RASL11a, allowed healthy cancer cells to outcompete and eliminate more aggressive cancer cells in laboratory studies and mouse models. These findings have led to a provisional patent and opened doors to new funding opportunities and collaborations with leading cancer research institutions. The professorship also helped Dr. Storfer share this groundbreaking work at scientific meetings, helping move the research closer to potential real-world applications for cancer treatment.

Impact Report

Because of support from the Herbert L. Eastlick Distinguished Professorship, Dr. Heather Watts is studying how birds and other animals adapt to changing environmental conditions, including shifts caused by climate change. Her research focuses on understanding how the timing of important life events, such as migration and breeding, affects an animal’s survival and success. This year, the professorship helped support long-term tracking studies of migratory birds, including new efforts to monitor the movements of nomadic bird species using innovative tracking technology. The funding also contributed to several scientific publications and provided valuable research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students. Looking ahead, Dr. Watts and her team will continue exploring how animals respond to environmental change, helping scientists better understand and protect wildlife populations.

Impact Report

Backed by the C.O. Johnson Distinguished Professorship in Political Science, Dr. Cornell Clayton continued his leadership of the Thomas S. Foley Institute, which hosted a wide range of public events focused on democracy, misinformation, and civic engagement. He also helped build national partnerships aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and expanding public dialogue. In addition to teaching courses on democracy and the U.S. Constitution, Dr. Clayton published scholarly research on constitutional courts and American politics, presented at academic conferences, and contributed to public conversations through media interviews and opinion pieces. The professorship has helped support his efforts to connect research, education, and public service while fostering informed civic engagement at WSU and beyond.

Impact Report

Supported by the Claudius O. and Mary W. Johnson Professorship, Dr. Travis Ridout has continued research on how political campaigns communicate with voters, particularly through emerging forms of advertising such as streaming services and connected TV. His work explores the growing use of these platforms, where large amounts of political advertising are being purchased with limited public transparency. He is also studying how artificial intelligence is being used in political ads, including concerns about misleading “deepfake” images and videos. Over the past year, the professorship helped support an international workshop that brought together experts from around the world to discuss political advertising and election communication. Looking ahead, Dr. Ridout and his colleagues are tracking advertising spending in major 2026 elections to improve transparency and accountability in the political process.

Impact Report

Thanks to generous funding from the Claudius O. and Mary Johnson Distinguished Professorship in History, Dr. Matthew Sutton continued his teaching, research, and leadership as chair of the History Department. His work focuses on how religion has shaped American culture and politics, and this year he celebrated the publication of his latest book, Chosen Land, which received significant national attention and acclaim. The professorship also supported archival research, public scholarship, conference presentations, and work on a new college history textbook. In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Sutton was awarded a prestigious Andrew Carnegie Fellowship to support his next book project exploring the influence of ideas about Satan on American culture and politics. Through his research, teaching, and public engagement, Dr. Sutton continues to help students and the broader public better understand the forces that have shaped American society.

Impact Report

Made possible by the Tom and Julie Lutz Distinguished Professorship, Dr. Nicholas Cerruti has focused on improving student learning in physics by developing new instructional materials and creating more opportunities for hands-on problem solving and personalized support. The professorship also enabled him to explore how artificial intelligence is affecting education and how educators can encourage critical thinking in an increasingly AI-driven environment. Over the past year, he introduced new recitation sections for physics courses and is evaluating their effectiveness to further enhance student success. Looking ahead, Dr. Cerruti plans to continue refining the curriculum and training teaching assistants to provide an even stronger learning experience for WSU students.

Impact Report

With assistance from the Donald S. and Marianna Merritt Distinguished Professorship in Chemistry, Dr. Brian Clowers and his research team are developing advanced tools that help scientists better understand the structure of complex molecules. Their work focuses on creating faster and more precise methods for identifying subtle differences in chemicals, proteins, and lipids that are important in areas such as medicine, biology, and health research. The professorship has supported innovative pilot projects, including new techniques for studying molecular structures and chemical interactions, which have already helped secure additional funding from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. Looking ahead, Dr. Clowers and his students plan to expand these technologies and strengthen collaborations that could lead to new scientific discoveries and real-world applications.

Impact Report

Bolstered by support from the Marianna Merritt Matteson and Donald S. Matteson Distinguished Professorship, Dr. Vilma Navarro-Daniels continued her research on Spanish and Latin American literature, film, and culture, with a particular focus on topics such as democracy, human rights, gender, memory, and social change. Over the past year, she published scholarly articles and an interview in peer-reviewed journals and presented her research at national and international conferences. Her work often explores how literature and film reflect the impact of historical events, including Chile’s dictatorship and Spain’s political history. The professorship has helped advance her scholarship, enrich her teaching, and create meaningful learning experiences for students. Looking ahead, Dr. Navarro-Daniels plans to publish additional research, present at international conferences, and conduct archival and literary research in Spain.

Impact Report

With the help of the Short Professorship, Dr. Jennifer Schwartz has continued research focused on understanding and improving the challenges facing rural jails and communities across eastern and central Washington. Working closely with local leaders, service providers, and justice system professionals, her team has helped identify practical solutions that improve access to housing, transportation, treatment services, and employment opportunities for people leaving jail. Over the past year, she published multiple research articles, shared findings at national and international conferences, and provided hands-on research and professional development opportunities for graduate students. Looking ahead, Dr. Schwartz plans to expand this work through additional funding, a future book project, and the development of a center dedicated to rural justice and community well-being.

Impact Report

Enabled by the Westinghouse Distinguished Professorship in Materials Science and Engineering, Dr. Matthew McCluskey and his team are developing advanced microscopy tools that help scientists better understand materials at a very small scale. Their research focuses on identifying defects in materials used in technologies such as solar cells, LEDs, and high-power lasers, with the goal of improving efficiency and performance. Over the past year, the team made important discoveries about how certain materials behave under pressure and light exposure, while also earning a patent for a new microscopy technology developed through a WSU startup company. The professorship has helped support these innovations and contributed to additional research funding from the Department of Energy. Looking ahead, Dr. McCluskey plans to use artificial intelligence and new collaborations to further accelerate materials discovery and technology development.

Impact Report

Through resources provided by the William Julius Wilson Distinguished Professorship, Dr. Justin Denney continued research focused on understanding the social and economic factors that contribute to health disparities across the United States. His work uses large national datasets to examine issues such as disability, aging, food insecurity, and unequal health outcomes, helping identify ways to improve health and well-being for vulnerable populations. Over the past year, he published research in leading journals, was elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences, and expanded mentoring opportunities for graduate students through a research fellowship and collaborative health disparities research lab. The professorship has also strengthened graduate education by supporting student research, advanced data analysis training, and hands-on learning experiences that prepare future scholars to address important public health challenges.

Impact Report

With continued support from the Ralph G. Yount Distinguished Professorship in Sciences, Dr. James Brozik and his team are advancing research that helps scientists better understand how proteins work at the molecular level and how their failures contribute to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cystic fibrosis, blindness, and certain cancers. Over the past year, the professorship supported the development of new research tools, including artificial cell systems and advanced imaging technologies that allow researchers to observe proteins in real time. The funding also provided valuable opportunities for student involvement, including research projects led by undergraduate students. These efforts have resulted in multiple publications, promising grant proposals, and important preliminary discoveries that position the team for future breakthroughs in biology, medicine, and biotechnology.

Impact Report

Made possible through the support of the Meyer Early Career Launch Fellowship, Dr. Ivan Popov has continued building a successful research program in computational chemistry, studying the behavior of heavy elements that are important for nuclear energy, national security, and advanced technologies. Over the past year, his team published four peer-reviewed research papers, contributing to a total of ten publications since joining WSU in 2024. He also gained recognition for his leadership in WSU’s OneNuclear Initiative and was invited to collaborate on major research proposals with national laboratories and other universities. The fellowship has helped sustain his research program, support student training, and create new opportunities for funding and collaboration. Looking ahead, Dr. Popov plans to expand his research partnerships and continue developing solutions to complex challenges in nuclear and materials chemistry.

Impact Report

With funding provided by the Meyer Early Career Launch Fellowship, Dr. Jennifer Wisecaver is advancing research on how new traits evolve in plants and algae, including species responsible for harmful algal blooms. The fellowship has helped her secure a nationally competitive genome sequencing award, pursue major federal research funding, and publish important findings on plant genetics in a leading scientific journal. Her lab has also contributed to improving scientific data accuracy in the field while providing valuable training opportunities for graduate students. These accomplishments have increased the visibility of her research program and strengthened the foundation for future discoveries in genetics, evolution, and environmental science.