FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas recently honored its “Top 15 in 2015” class of research award recipients at a ceremony in the School of Law’s Norma Lea Beasley Entrance Hall.

The offices of the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs and vice provost for research and economic development organized the ceremony and reception, which recognized faculty and staff researchers who were the university’s most highly funded in fiscal year 2014.

As a group, the 15 faculty and staff researchers accounted for nearly one-third of the University of Arkansas’ total external research funding of $79 million in fiscal 2014. The $79 million figure represented a 24.8 percent increase over the previous fiscal year.

“Through your hard work and leadership in pursuing external research funding, you have helped move our research enterprise forward and enhanced the university’s reputation as a comprehensive research institution,” Sharon Gaber, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, told the group.

Jim Rankin, vice provost for research and economic development, said, “For most of these researchers, their funding came from multiple awards received throughout the year. They would be the first to mention that their co-investigators and their research teams are a large factor in their success.”

Faculty and staff recognized at the event were:

• Denise Airola, director, Office of Innovation for Education, College of Education and Health Professions
• Bobbie Biggs, professor of workforce development, College of Education and Health Professions
• Burt Bluhm, associate professor of plant pathology, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences
• David Cook, director, Arkansas Leadership Academy, College of Education and Health Professions
• David Deere, executive director, Partners for Inclusive Communities, College of Education and Health Professions
• Magda El-Shenawee, professor of electrical engineering, College of Engineering
• Bryan Hill, assistant dean for student recruitment and international programs, College of Engineering
• Debra Hurd, clinical professor, School of Social Work, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
• Roger Koeppe, Distinguished Professor of chemistry and biochemistry, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
• Alan Mantooth, Distinguished Professor of electrical engineering, College of Engineering
• Jeanne Miller, director, Center for the Utilization of Rehabilitation Resources for Education, Networking, Training and Service; College of Education and Health Professions
• Frank Millett, Distinguished Professor of chemistry and biochemistry, Fulbright College
• Heather Nachtmann, associate dean of engineering and director, Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center, Mack-Blackwell Transportation Center, College of Engineering
• Brent Thomas Williams, associate professor of rehabilitation education, College of Education and Health Professions
• David Zaharoff, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, College of Engineering