62°
More than 200 faculty members at the University of Houston recently received recognition for their contributions to scholarship, research, and academic innovation during the President's Circle Awards. The awards, which took place on March 31, acknowledged professors who have achieved national recognition, contributed to high-impact publications, secured patents, authored books, and received significant grant awards.
Continuing a tradition established by the 50-in-5 initiative, the President’s Circle Awards highlight achievements that enhance the University’s national standing. Faculty members gathered at the University’s Wortham House to celebrate their accomplishments.
"Last year’s 50-in-5 celebration marked the end of our initiative to increase UH’s research and scholarly output by 50 percent over five years … but it didn’t mark the end of our overarching mission to transform lives and communities through education, research, service and innovation," said UH President Renu Khator. "And you are the engine empowering us to achieve our mission and our bold vision to become a top 50 public university."
UH Vice President of Research Claudia Neuhauser emphasized the growth experienced in national awards over the past year, with more than $120 million in grant funding. "Last year was the first time in UH’s history that we had more than $100 million in federal research expenditures," Neuhauser said.
Neuhauser also noted the faculty's authorship of 32 single-authored books and 47 high-impact journal publications. She highlighted the faculty's accomplishments in obtaining awards, such as 10 National Science Foundation CAREER awards, a U.S. Department of Energy Early Career award, and a Pulitzer Prize received by MD Anderson Professor in Hispanic Studies, Cristina Rivera Garza.
UH Vice President for Energy and Innovation Ramanan Krishnamoorti praised the 31 faculty members who received patents in 2024, including 12 with multiple patents. Krishnamoorti remarked that these patents, along with academic programs like the Melvin and Cyvia Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, aim to inspire startup business ventures. "These patents help connect the University to the start-up world and the idea that our students can be entrepreneurs," Krishnamoorti said.
The President’s Circle Awards acknowledged faculty members from each of the University’s colleges, many of whom are featured on the Scholars Walk, a digital installation at the University. Award recipient Carrie Cutler, featured on the Scholars Walk, attended the event and shared, "Receiving this recognition is a career highlight. The President's Circle Award inspires me to continue challenging myself through collaborative, high-impact projects that advocate for growth and transformation in mathematics education."
The breakdown of the awards presented includes:
- Single Author Books: 32
- High Impact Journal Publications: 47
- Major Grant Awards: 81
- Patents: 31
- National Recognition: 46