Driving discovery and student success: MSU CALS, MAFES faculty, staff and students honored
Contact: Vanessa Beeson
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station annually recognizes outstanding faculty, staff and students for dedication and impact in advancing teaching, research and service.
Scott Willard, CALS dean and MAFES director, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts across disciplines, especially as the university leads national conversations on agriculture, food systems and innovation.
“Recent events like the Food and Ag as National Security Conference and the AI in Ag Conference happening at Mississippi State highlight the essential work done by our college and experiment station,” Willard said. “It takes teamwork and an interdisciplinary effort to cross over areas of expertise to synergize and amplify the vital work we do to help feed, clothe, shelter and fuel the world.”
This year’s honorees recently recognized at a spring awards event include:
Teaching and Advising
—Assistant Professor SaMin Han, Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design, CALS Teacher of the Year and New Faculty Teaching Award. Han is noted for her ability to inspire students to think critically and apply practical skills to address real-world challenges.
—Assistant Professor Mary Nelson Robertson, School of Human Sciences, Undergraduate Teaching Award—Lower Division. Robertson is recognized for her authenticity and commitment to making students feel welcomed and supported.
—Associate Professor Shecoya White, Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion, Undergraduate Teaching Award—Upper Division. White is honored for providing caring, positive mentorship and experiential learning that mirrors professional environments.
—Assistant Professor Jagman Dhillon, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Graduate Teaching Award. Dhillon is known for making complex subjects like statistics approachable and fostering collaboration among graduate students.
—Assistant Teaching Professor Aswathy Rai, Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion, CALS Excellence in Advising Award. Rai is known for her ability to empower students, support their independence and help them find the path that is right for them.
Service:
—Extension/Research Professor Rocky Lemus, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, CALS/MAFES Outstanding Faculty Service Award. In addition to service internal to MSU, Lemus has held leadership positions in seven national organizations, assumed editorial roles with four journals and fostered international engagement with eight countries.
Safety
—Kenner Patton, building services manager, Delta Research and Extension Center, MAFES Safety Award. Patton led a comprehensive safety initiative at the 4,000-acre research station, coordinating efforts across multiple facilities.
Research:
—Professor Sead Sabanadzovic, Department of Agricultural Science and Plant Protection, Mississippi Land Bank-sponsored MAFES Excellence in Research Faculty Award. The 20-year MSU veteran and global expert in virology has authored more than 135 peer-reviewed publications, 18 book chapters and has nearly 10,000 citations.
—Assistant Professor Nuwan Wijewardane, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, MAFES Grantsmanship Award. This award recognizes the scientist who garners the most competitive funds. Wijewardane secured nearly $2 million in external research funding in 2024.
—Assistant Research Professor Raju Bheemanahalli Rangappa, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Outstanding Publication Award. Rangappa is being recognized for a study on cotton’s response to drought and heat stress, published in Industrial Crops and Products.
—Assistant Research Professor Nicolas Quintana Ashwell, Department of Agricultural Economics stationed at the Delta Research and Extension Center, Publication with Most Impact on Mississippi Award. Ashwell is being recognized for an article in Agricultural Water Management estimating $33 million in cost savings for producers by addressing crop heat stress through irrigation strategies.
—Haley Williams, Coastal Research and Extension Center, Research Support Staff Award. Williams has authored or coauthored seven journal articles, written 18 abstracts and given 48 presentations.
—Sujin Lee, doctoral student in the Department of Agricultural Science and Plant Protection, MAFES Excellence in Research Award—Graduate Student. Lee has authored or coauthored 13 peer reviewed publications and presented five oral and 21 poster presentations. She was a 2024 Mississippi Academy of Sciences oral presentation winner.
—Kinsey Fikes, junior in the Department of Agricultural Economics, MAFES Excellence in Research Award—Undergraduate Student. Fikes’ research mentor stated she is already doing graduate-level research and will present her findings at an upcoming national economics conference. Fikes is also a CALS Ambassador and leader in the university’s chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association.
Staff:
—Callie Morris, research associate II, MAFES Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods Branch Station, CALS/MAFES Professional Staff Award. Morris is recognized for exceptional performance in research operations and consistent willingness to “go the extra mile.”
—Swayze Hollenhead, administrative assistant I, Department of Agricultural Science and Plant Protection, CALS/MAFES Support Staff Award. Hollenhead is noted as being the department’s “go-to” resource for undergraduate and graduate students, approaching challenges with a positive attitude.
Willard said MSU’s CALS and MAFES continue to shape the future of agriculture and life sciences through dedicated professionals committed to excellence in every facet of their mission.
Learn more about CALS at www.cals.msstate.edu and MAFES at www.mafes.msstate.edu.
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