The Luminaries Outstanding Faculty Awards showcase the extraordinary talent shaping the future of science, arts, innovation, and education. From groundbreaking discoveries to transformative teaching, these faculty members represent the pinnacle of intellectual achievement. Their work illuminates classrooms, labs, and communities alike, embodying the Wildcat spirit of curiosity, creativity, and commitment to student success.
This year's ceremony is Thursday, October 16th. Contact us if you would like to join the celebration that recognizes the talent making Arizona shine.
2025 Awardees
The University of Arizona has an outstanding reputation because of our extraordinary faculty working to better the future. We are proud to introduce this year's remarkable cohort. Congratulations 2025 Luminaries!
Janko Nikolich, MD, PhD
Bowman Professor and Head, Immunobiology
College of Medicine - Tucson
2025 REGENTS PROFESSOR
Alex Braithwaite, PhD
Director and Professor, Government and Public Policy
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
2025 UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR AWARD
Jon T. Njardarson, PhD
Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
College of Science
College of Medicine - Tucson
2025 UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR AWARD
John Ehiri, PhD
Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs and Professor
Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
2025 UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED OUTREACH FACULTY AWARD
Josephine "Jo" Korchmaros, PhD
Director and Research Social Scientist, Southwest Institute for Research on Women
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
2025 UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED OUTREACH FACULTY AWARD
Ladd Keith, PhD
Associate Professor, Planning
College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
2025 DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AWARD
Kristopher Klein, PhD
Associate Professor, Planetary Sciences and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
College of Science
2025 DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AWARD
Michelle Téllez, PhD
Associate Professor, Mexican American Studies
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
2025 DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AWARD
Kimberly Ogden, PhD
Chair and Professor, Chemical and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering
2025 DISTINGUISHED DEPARTMENT HEAD AWARD
Judd Ruggill, PhD
Associate Dean for Academic Services, Graduate College
Department Head and Professor, Public and Applied Humanities
College of Humanities
2025 DISTINGUISHED DEPARTMENT HEAD AWARD
Diana Daly, PhD
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Student Success and Associate Professor of Practice
College of Information Science
2025 UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION LEICESTER AND KATHRYN SHERRILL CREATIVE TEACHING AWARD
Kristy Doran, PhD
Associate Professor of Practice, Spanish and Portuguese
College of Humanities
2025 MARGARET M. BRIEHL AND DENNIS T. RAY FIVE STAR FACULTY AWARD
Ilaria Pascucci, PhD
Professor, Planetary Sciences
College of Science
HENRY AND PHYLLIS KOFFLER PRIZE IN RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP & CREATIVE ACTIVITY
Amy C. Kimme Hea, PhD
Senior Associate Dean, Academic Affairs and Student Success
Professor, English
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
2025 UNIVERSITY FACULTY SERVICE AWARD
Sabrina V. Helm, PhD
Associate Professor, Retailing and Consumer Science
PetSmart Endowed Chair, John and Doris Norton School of Human Ecology
College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences
2025 UNIVERSITY FACULTY SERVICE AWARD
Gary Rhoades, PhD
Professor, Educational Policy Studies and Practice
College of Education
2025 DISTINGUISHED MENTOR AWARD
Purnima Madhivanan, PhD
Associate Professor, Health Promotion Sciences
Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
2025 MENTORING FUTURE SCHOLARS AWARD
Desireé Vega, PhD
Associate Professor, Disability and Psychoeducational Studies
College of Education
2025 MENTORING FUTURE SCHOLARS AWARD
Kamila Murawska-Wlodarczyk, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Center for Environmentally Sustainable Mining
College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences
2025 GRADUATE STUDENT PEER MENTOR AWARD
Suzanne Panferov Reese, PhD
Professor, Public and Applied Humanities
Director, Critical Languages Program
College of Humanities
2025 GRADUATE TEACHING AND MENTORING AWARD
Jessica Retis, PhD
Professor, Bilingual Journalism
Director, School of Journalism
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
2025 GRADUATE TEACHING AND MENTORING AWARD
Adrienne R. Brown, PhD
Community Engagement Postdoctoral Researcher
Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy
2025 POSTDOC-AS-MENTOR AWARD
Clayton Morrison, PhD
Associate Professor, College of Information Science
2025 EXCELLENCE IN POSTDOCTORAL MENTORING
Nicole Antebi, MFA
Assistant Professor, School of Art
College of Fine Arts
2025 EARLY CAREER SCHOLAR AWARD
Melanie McKay-Cody, PhD
Assistant Professor, Disability and Psychoeducational Studies
College of Education
2025 EARLY CAREER SCHOLAR AWARD
Kerri Rodriguez, PhD
Assistant Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine
2025 EARLY CAREER SCHOLAR AWARD
Elizabeth "Beth" Tellman, PhD
Assistant Professor, School of Geography, Development and Environment
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
2025 EARLY CAREER SCHOLAR AWARD
Nicole Jimenez, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Gynecology & Obstetrics
College of Medicine - Phoenix
2025 OUTSTANDING POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR
Rebecca Campbell, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Psychology
College of Science
2025 OUTSTANDING POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR
Learn more about University of Arizona awards and past honors recipients.
A Legacy of Impact
At the University of Arizona, the passion, dedication and achievements of our Outstanding Faculty create a positive environment for all.
These awards recognize luminary faculty for their spark of lasting contributions to the common good in our community, nation, and world.
Artwork designed by Dwayne Manuel
Reaching Higher
Outstanding Faculty medallions are reserved for Regents Professors, Distinguished Outreach Professors, and University Distinguished Professors. Learn more about the artist who helped craft each of these pieces.