Office of Research launches Research Champions program
KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec. 11, 2023
Research Champions
Applied Technologies
- Dr. Sylvia Bhattacharya, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
- Dr. Jason Harron, Bagwell College of Education
- Dr. Reza Parizi, College of Computing and Software Engineering
Innovative Creativity
- Dr. Michael Carroll, College of Architecture and Construction Management
- Andrea Knowlton, M.F.A, College of the Arts
- Dr. Victoria LaGrange, Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences
One Health
- Dr. Weiwei Chen, Coles College of Business
- Dr. Brian Kliszczewicz, Wellstar College of Health and Human Services
- Dr. Maria Valero, College of Computing and Software Engineering
Sustainable Communities
- Dr. Erin Adams, Bagwell College of Education
- Dr. Mario Bretfeld, College of Science and Mathematics
The Kennesaw State University Office of Research charged 11 faculty researchers with developing and leading interdisciplinary research thrusts Monday, December 11 under its newly launched Research Champions program.
The thrusts include four broad topics: Applied Technologies, Sustainable Communities, One Health, and Innovative Creativity.
As leaders of these thrusts, champions are expected to build and support successful research teams for each track, including other faculty researchers and students. Research success will be measured by subject-specific research outcomes, typically external grant support, publications, exhibits or performances.
"These research champions, each identified by their college's dean and associate dean for research, will serve as conductors of interdisciplinary research at Kennesaw State," Vice President for Research Dr. Karin Scarpinato said. "They will craft a vision strategy, assemble an advisory board, and recruit external partners to build upon the university's research portfolio."
The Applied Technologies thrust will be led by Dr. Sylvia Bhattacharya, Dr. Jason Harron, and Dr. Reza Parizi and will involve fields such as digital health, cybersecurity and innovative materials.
The Innovative Creativity thrust will be led by Dr. Michael Carroll, Andrea Knowlton, M.F.A, and Dr. Victoria LaGrange with a focus on digital media, performance and production, and game studio.
The Sustainable Communities thrust will be led by Dr. Erin Adams and Dr. Mario Bretfeld, and will deal with topics such as sustainable housing, urban agriculture, and ecological systems.
The One Health thrust will be led by Dr. Weiwei Chen, Dr. Brian Kliszczewicz, and Dr. Maria Valero, and will focus on health equity, health systems, and population health.
Additionally, all four thrusts will be supported by the university's strengths in innovation and commercialization, community engagement, foundational knowledge, workforce preparation and education, and artificial intelligence. Thrusts include but are not limited to the above topics.
The Office of Research will sponsor four networking events in January for faculty researchers who are interested in joining any of the four thrusts.
