Howard University capped off Research Month 2025 with a milestone celebration featuring the launch of a new tradition — a special faculty awards ceremony honoring excellence in research.

The Excellence in Innovation and Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony, on April 30, honored faculty whose high-level scholarship, commitment to service, and visionary leadership continue to elevate the institution. The evening concluded with a celebratory dinner marking the University’s recent designation as a Research One (R1) institution. 

“This is a moment to acknowledge and recognize the collective momentum of our research enterprise,” said Howard President Ben Vinson III. “It’s your work—whether in the lab, the community, or across global networks—that is shaping the world and inspiring the next generation of scholars. Tonight’s honorees are not just building legacies—they are the legacy.”

In February, the American Council on Education officially classified Howard as an R1 institution, the highest Carnegie Classification reserved for universities with very high research activity. Howard is the only historically Black college or university to hold this designation.

One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the President’s 1867 Award to Sonya Smith, Ph.D., professor of mechanical engineering and executive director of the Research Institute for Tactical Autonomy (RITA). The award is reserved for tenured faculty with exceptional research accomplishments and long-standing service to the University.

“Being recognized with the President’s Award is phenomenal,” Smith said. “This is my 29th year at Howard, and I’ve had the privilege of leading programs that transformed our campus—particularly for women in STEM. I’m incredibly honored and happy.”

A pioneering scholar, Smith was the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in mechanical and aerospace engineering and the first tenured woman in Howard’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. As director of RITA—one of only 15 U.S. Department of Defense University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC)—she leads research in tactical autonomy, human-machine teaming, and artificial intelligence while opening doors for Black students in STEM fields.

“R1 status, to me, is outside affirmation of what we’ve always been doing at Howard,” Smith added. “This designation doesn’t change who we are, it confirms it.”

Also honored was Sugata Chowdhury, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Physics, who received the Emerging Researcher Award for early-career excellence in research.

“This recognition reflects the hard work of my research team,” said Chowdhury, whose work focuses on quantum magnetism and AI modeling. “It motivates me to elevate our research, train more students, and contribute to Howard’s reputation. Being at an R1 institution means we’re part of an elite group pushing the boundaries of knowledge.”

The evening included a tribute to Bruce Jones, Ph.D., senior vice president of research, who was honored for his visionary leadership in returning Howard to R1 status. 

“This event is about achievement, accomplishment, perseverance—and celebration,” said Jones. “It is the first of its kind, and it signals a new era of academic excellence at Howard University. The faculty honored tonight represent what it means to redefine research.”

Associate Vice President of Research Marchon Jackson, MBA,echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the visionary leadership Jones has provided. “Dr. Jones laid out a bold vision for research at Howard. When others doubted, he believed; and he moved us relentlessly toward that North Star.”

The staff of the Office of Research were also honored throughout the night. Jackson praised their sacrifice, coordination, advocacy, and sheer will, saying their work was essential to advancing Howard’s research agenda.

“They were operating at breakneck speed, with unwavering resolve and long nights that turned into early mornings,” Jackson said. “While much of their work went unseen, it was essential to moving our institution forward.”

The research excellence ceremony honored the following faculty:

• Goulda Downer and Carla Williams (College of Medicine) received the Community Engagement Award.
• The Early Career Award went to Jorge Burmicky (School of Education) and Sugata Chowdhury (College of Arts & Sciences).
• Up and Coming Researcher of the Year was awarded to Dhakrit Rungkitwattanakul (College of Pharmacy), Karl Thompson (College of Medicine), and Su Yan (College of Engineering & Architecture).
• Teaching Excellence Awards were presented to Kunle Kassim and Sulman Rahmat (College of Medicine), and Nea Maloo (College of Engineering & Architecture).
• Outstanding Faculty Mentor Awards were presented to Nea Maloo and Danda Rawat (College of Engineering & Architecture), and Prabhakar Misra (College of Arts & Sciences).
• Faculty Innovation and Invention Awards went to Simeon Adesina (College of Pharmacy) and Yousef Tizabi (College of Medicine).
• The Senior Researcher of the Year Award honored Hassan Ashktorab and Yousef Tizabi (College of Medicine), Sen Chiao (College of Arts & Sciences), and Bisrat Hailemeskel (College of Pharmacy).

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