Recipiencts of the 2014 Deans' Awards for Outstanding Research

Eberly College of Business and Information Technology

Dr. Framarz Byramjee , Department of Marketing (back row, left). During his seven years at IUP, Dr. Byramjee has published several peer-reviewed journal articles. His research initiatives span diverse issues pertaining to the marketing facets of transactions and exchange processes.

College of Education and Educational Technology

Dr. Jeffrey Ritchey , Department of Adult and Community Education (back row, right). Dr. Ritchey's research has focused on two areas: the application of technology and new media in non-formal educational initiatives and the professional identity development among non-formal educators.

Dr. Nurhaya Muchtar , Department of Communications Media (back row, center). Dr. Muchtar's research has involved the use of media in non-formal education among journalists and religious leaders in Indonesia, collaborative work among communication and journalism professors in 88 different countries, and the issue of media and identity.

College of Fine Arts

Mr. Sean Derry , Department of Art (front row, second from left). Mr. Derry cofounded Alloy Pittsburgh, a unique visual and performing arts initiative developed for the Carrie Furnaces National Historic Landmark and administered by the Kipp Gallery at IUP.

Mr. Christopher McGinnis , Department of Art (not in photo) is the other cofounder of Alloy Pittsburgh. In addition to this project, he exhibits his own artwork and curates exhibitions nationally, while serving on numerous volunteer advisory boards for art organizations in the Pittsburgh area.

College of Health and Human Services

Dr. Bitna Kim, Department of Criminology (front row, left). Dr. Kim's research focuses on international/cross-cultural issues in crime, female criminality, and the unequal treatment of minorities in the criminal justice system.

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Dr. Christian Vaccaro, Department of Sociology (front row, second from right. The majority of Dr. Vaccaro's research falls within the sub-discipline of sociological social psychology. His focus is on understanding how patterns of interactions between people in real world setting influence emotions, identities, and behaviors.

Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Dr. Shundong Bi, Department of Biology (front row, right). Dr. Bi's research centers on the morphology, systematics, and functional anatomy of mammals. His current projects focus on the origin and early evolution of mammals. Read more about his study recently published in Nature.