MSU faculty, staff excel in state鈥檚 leading natural resources college
Contact: Vanessa Beeson
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥敾ㄐ阒辈 State鈥檚 College of Forest Resources recently honored faculty and staff for their contributions to teaching, research and outreach, celebrating their impact on students and the environment.
Wes Burger, CFR dean and director of the university鈥檚 Forest and Wildlife Research Center, said during an end-of-year awards ceremony that the college experienced record enrollment, with an impressive research portfolio and extensive outreach efforts in 2024, thanks to its exemplary faculty and staff.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always an honor to recognize our outstanding faculty and staff who are making an impact on the lives of students and our environment. While we are one of the smaller units on campus, we are one of the most productive in the university, accounting for about five percent of the total MSU research portfolio,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e are the top choice in the Southeast for future natural resource professionals, which is a credit to our faculty who teach and mentor our students.鈥
Honorees include:
鈥擱ay Iglay, CFR/FWRC Teaching Award: An associate professor in wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture, Iglay has mentored seven graduate students directly and served on 16 additional committees. He also has guided four postdoctoral associates and 11 undergraduate research students. Iglay extends his leadership through The Wildlife Society鈥檚 Leadership Institute Mentor Program.
鈥擪rishna Poudel, CFR/FWRC Research Award: An associate professor in forestry, Poudel has published 42 peer-reviewed articles, with 20 of those in the last three years, and secured $4.6 million in extramural funding to advance forestry research.
鈥擜dam Polinko, CFR/FWRC Service Award: An assistant professor in forestry, Polinko serves as faculty advisor to the award-winning MSU student chapter of the Society of American Foresters, organized the department鈥檚 first career fair and serves on several departmental committees. He also chairs the SAF Silviculture Working Group.
鈥擶es Neal, CFR/FWRC Extension/Outreach Award: An extension and research professor in wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture, Neal鈥檚 extension efforts in ponds and fisheries have impacted more than 800,000 surface acres of water, produced vital educational resources and secured $5.7 million in funding.
鈥擠ana Morin, CFR/FWRC Early Career Achievement Award: An assistant professor in wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture, Morin chairs or cochairs seven graduate student committees, serves on three additional committees and has mentored four undergraduate research scholars and 12 graduate students, who have since graduated. Morin has published 46 peer-reviewed and popular articles, delivered more than 30 outreach-focused presentations or reports and secured more than $11.5 million in external funding.
鈥擪ristine Evans, CFR/FWRC Faculty Excellence in Advising Award: An associate professor in wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture and associate director of the Geosystems Research Institute, Evans has mentored nearly 90 undergraduates and numerous graduate students. She coleads a collaborative research lab and serves on key MSU committees.
鈥擪evin Hunt, Regina and Glenn Doran Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentoring and Collaborative Practice: The Sharp Professor of Human Dimensions in wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture directs the MSU Human Dimensions and Conservation Law Enforcement Laboratory, has served as the department鈥檚 graduate coordinator for a decade and advises more than 30 students annually in the law enforcement concentration.
鈥擬urry Burgess, CFR Inclusive Excellence Award: An assistant professor in wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture, Burgess is a and cofounder/CEO of Field Inclusive, Inc., a nonprofit supporting marginalized and historically excluded field biologists. She is certified by The Inclusive STEM Teaching Project and serves on the CFR Diversity Council.
鈥擫anna Miller, Doris Lee Memorial Professional Staff Award: With 11 years as student services coordinator for the College of Forest Resources, Miller is praised for her exceptional advising, curriculum expertise and dedicated support, guiding students from orientation to graduation.
鈥擟ade Booth, Beverly Smith Professional Staff Award: A research associate III in forestry with nearly 25 years at MSU, Booth is recognized for exceptional versatility, problem-solving expertise and unwavering commitment to research and student success.
鈥擜ngela Hill, Doris Lee Memorial Support Staff Award: An administrative assistant I in wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture, Hill is celebrated for her exceptional support, expertise and positive attitude.
鈥擲usan Blanton, Beverly Smith Support Staff Award: An administrative assistant I in forestry, Blanton is praised as a dedicated and professional leader, providing invaluable support to her department.
Professorships and a fellowship include:
鈥擯eter Allen, professor, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture: Dale H. Arner Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management;
鈥擝rady Self, extension professor, Department of Forestry: George L. Switzer Professorship;
鈥擡l Barbary Hassan, professor, Department of Sustainable Bioproducts: Warren S. Thompson Professorship;
鈥擝eth Stokes, associate professor, Department of Sustainable Bioproducts: Harold C. Lucas Fellowship.
For more on the College of Forest Resources, visit聽. Visit聽 for information about the Forest and Wildlife Research Center.
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