The annual School of Natural Sciences Faculty Awards recognize areas of faculty service that are central to the success of the school, including the efforts that have built the SNS’s research infrastructure, improved the pedagogies used in our classes, created compelling new academic programs, and fulfilled the promise that all students at a research university can have access to the excitement of knowledge discovery.
Nominations for the awards are submitted each spring by academic departments and are evaluated by the Natural Sciences Executive Committee and Dean’s Office. The award winners are announced during the annual SNS Community Dinner.
Congratulations to this year’s Physics winners:
Community Engagement and/or Scientific Communication
This award recognizes a faculty member who partners with communities to bring scientific solutions to challenges that they face. This year’s award goes to Anna Nierenberg who has consistently demonstrated excellence in engagement with the broader community relating to observational astronomy. Some highlights of Professor Nierenberg’s efforts include appearing on NPR, in Forbes Magazine, the Daily Mail and Quanta Magazine.
Exceptional Service
This award recognizes a faculty member whose unsung service has broadly benefited the School of Natural Sciences. This year’s award goes to Jay Sharping in recognition of his outstanding contributions since arriving at UC Merced in 2006. Professor Sharping has served as UGC Chair on three separate occasions which produced many noteworthy accomplishments over the years.
