DALLAS – Conference USA announces its CUSA Faculty Achievement Award winners highlighting outstanding faculty members and their dedication to teaching, commitment to their respective fields of study through research and devotion to making a difference through service in their campus communities. The awards program was established by the league’s presidents and chancellors to recognize exceptional contributions in teaching, research and service. Each of the 10 recipients will automatically become the institutional nominee for the CUSA Professor of the Year, which will be voted on by the institution’s provosts.

The 2025 award recipients represent distinct fields of study including biology, communication, data science, ecology and epidemiology. They have published prominent academic articles, received numerous scholarly awards and presented as subject matter experts throughout the country.

2025 CUSA Faculty Achievement Award Honorees

Dr. Noël C. Barengo, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Florida International University, is an internationally recognized epidemiologist currently specializing in screening and primary prevention of type 2 diabetes. He designed the first large population-based diabetes prevention project in Barranquilla, Colombia (DEMOJUAN), funded by the International Diabetes Foundation. Dr. Barengo has co-authored more than 170 peer-reviewed publications and delivered more than 50 keynote addresses at prestigious national and international conferences. Dr. Barengo has participated as principal investigator or co-investigator on 12 grant applications, which have fetched $2 million in funding, in the past five years. His H-index, ranging from 26 to 38, reflects the significant impact of his work, which has been cited more than 16,000 times. Dr. Barengo has played key leadership roles with America’s Network for Chronic Disease Surveillance (AMNET), the American Public Health Association and the American Diabetes Association. As Chair of Florida International University’s Faculty Senate, he has been a strong advocate for faculty governance and academic excellence.

Dr. Lori L. Hensley, Distinguished Professor of Biology at Jacksonville State University, has dedicated her career to cancer research, student mentorship, and innovative teaching. Her research primarily focuses on cannabinoid-based treatments for pediatric cancers, which has led to groundbreaking insights in molecular oncology. Dr. Hensley has mentored countless undergraduate and graduate students, fostering a passion for research and guiding them toward advanced degrees in medical and biological sciences. She has also been instrumental in developing research-driven curricula, ensuring students gain hands-on experience in laboratory settings. As part of efforts to revamp the department, Hensley secured grant funding that ensured biology students will engage in at least five course-embedded undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), an initiative that was not offered prior to her arrival. Dr. Hensley cowrote a grant application that led to the creation of The Cell Biology Education Consortium (CBEC), which is designed to help other faculty move their cell culture research into the classroom. The CBEC currently serves more than 200 registered faculty members and has funded 27 primarily undergraduate institutions.

Dr. May H. Gao, Professor of Communication at Kennesaw State University, has made significant contributions through her research in intercultural business communication and Asian studies. As the founder and chair of the Symposium on ASIA-USA Partnership Opportunities (SAUPO), the largest Asia business conference in the Southeastern United States, she has facilitated meaningful dialogues between academia, business leaders, and policymakers. Dr. Gao has worked relentlessly to secure over $2 million in funding to support SAUPO conferences, Asian Studies, and various research and creative activities. Under her leadership, SAUPO has expanded into an international platform, attracting renowned speakers and fostering economic collaboration. Dr. Gao has published extensively on intercultural communication and globalization, including a single-authored book “Win Business with Relationships: Communication Strategies Informed by Entrepreneurs & Taoism.” She actively mentors students interested in global careers, helping them navigate cultural dynamics in the professional world.

Dr. Brianne L. Friberg, a Professor of Psychology at Liberty University, has contributed to the area of developmental science, with emphases on risk, resilience, and developmental disorders. Her research with students spans a variety of topics, such as parenting, cumulative risk, and college student wellbeing. Dr. Friberg is an innovative educator, integrating a variety of active learning techniques into her courses to promote student engagement and learning. Her contributions have included faculty trainings, with a focus on enhancing teacher effectiveness and student engagement. Dr. Friberg has presented at numerous national conferences and collaborated with fellow academics to address current topics within the teaching of psychology. She serves at the state level for the Virginia Association for Psychological Science and at the national level with the Society for the Teaching of Psychology’s Presidential Task Force on Burnout.

Dr. Jamie J. Newman, a Professor of Biological Sciences at Louisiana Tech University, has distinguished herself through her pioneering research in gene regulation and stem cell biology. Her work explores how environmental factors influence cellular behavior, with implications for regenerative medicine and disease treatment. Dr. Newman is an advocate for STEM education and has played a vital role in expanding research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. She has secured numerous grants – totaling more than $1.5 million – to support student research initiatives, ensuring hands-on training in advanced laboratory techniques. The funding has enabled her lab to collaborate with researchers at renowned institutions across the country. Dr. Newman played a pivotal role in the development of the Visual Integration of Science Through Art (VISTA) Center, which offers certificates in scientific visualization and produces materials for local clinics, research publications and children’s books. Her efforts extend beyond the university, as she frequently engages with the broader community through science outreach programs aimed at inspiring future generations of researchers. 

Mr. Robert D. Gordon, Jr., the Interim Department Chair of Media Arts at Middle Tennessee State University, has made substantial contributions to media education and television production. In addition to his 18 years teaching and mentoring at MTSU, he brings 48 years of experience as a professional television producer, director and production executive to the classroom. As the Program Coordinator for the Live Production Degree Concentration and an active producer and director of the interview/performance series “The Songwriters” on PBS, Gordon presented students the opportunity to be part of a paid crew on a nationally broadcast program. He serves as Executive Producer for the student-staffed production company, Media Arts Productions (MAP), which produces MTSU football and basketball games for ESPN+. MAP also provides crew and facilities for the production of the CMA Awards Red Carpet Preview special seen on many ABC affiliates nationwide. 

Dr. Niall Hanan, the Associate Department Head of Plant and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University, is a dryland ecosystem ecologist with active research in southwestern U.S. grazing systems and the tropical savannas and grazing lands of Africa. As the principal investigator of the NSF-funded Jornada Basin Long-Term Ecological Research site, Hanan leads groundbreaking studies on land management and climate impact in the Chihuahuan Desert. His expertise in remote sensing has contributed to global forest and shrubland mapping through NASA’s GEDI and ICESat-2 missions. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and $30 million in federal research funding, Hanan's work has advanced understanding of dryland ecology, global carbon cycles and sustainable grazing systems. His leadership extends to mentoring students, supporting STEM education for over 100,000 K-12 students and enhancing environmental awareness through community engagement.

Dr. Yuan Zhao, the Department Chair of Molecular and Cellular Biology, at Sam Houston State University, has made significant contributions to immunology and medical education. As a founding member of the university’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, she has played a key role in curriculum development, active learning strategies, concept mapping and case-based discussions. Dr. Zhao developed a Student-Led Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Research Interest Group, which has gained national recognition and positioned the institution as a leader in student-driven medical education research. She has also mentored more than 50 pharmacy and medical students, guiding them in securing prestigious awards, research grants and conference presentations. Dr. Zhao has helped shape the future of medical education through key roles in professional organizations. 

Dr. Amy E. Wagler, a Professor of Public Health Sciences at University of Texas at El Paso, has an array of experience that spans various fields, maintaining a research focus on both statistical and data science methodology and interdisciplinary applications, particularly in the health and educational sciences. Collectively, her research has resulted in more than 150 peer-reviewed research articles or presentations, and external funding of $38.5 million as either principal investigator or co-principal investigator. Dr. Wagler is dedicated to mentoring students in quantitative sciences, equipping them with critical skills for data-driven careers. She has played a pivotal role in developing programs within the Department of Mathematical Sciences and the College of Science, including a doctoral program in Data Science and two graduate-level certificates in Applied Statistics and Big Data Analytics. Her leadership in academic initiatives has helped shape institutional policies for data-driven decision-making.

Dr. Julia L. Roberts, a Professor of Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University, has been a constant advocate of gifted students and a voice for supporting gifted services in school settings.  Through her work she has also played an integral role in setting priorities for gifted education in the Commonwealth. As the founding director of The Center for Gifted Studies, she has led the charge to make WKU a destination for gifted education through graduate studies, programming and professional learning. Since its inception, the campus has become the home of the international headquarters of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children and the Kentucky Association for Gifted Education. She also serves as the Executive Director of The Gatton Academy, which has received national recognition as the number one public school by Newsweek for three consecutive years. Dr. Roberts’ scholarly contributions include seven books and numerous chapters and journal articles, as well as $10 million in grants. At the international level, she was elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children for 13 years, first as treasurer and then a four-year presidency.