Dr. Kausik Das, an associate professor of physics in UMES’ Department of Natural Sciences, is among an elite group of faculty members within the University System of Maryland recognized for their contributions to their individual institutions. The 2021 USM Regents’ Faculty Awards include Das and Dr. Hoai-Truong, a professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration at UMES, along with 16 peers across the state. The announcement was made March 9.
Das was chosen in the category of scholarship, research or creative activity. A faculty member for seven years, he is known for his research leading to 1.4 million in extramural funding. His work includes studies in nano fluidics, creating on-chip graphene-based nano-inductors and work on light-activated resistive switches. Among his collaborations is one with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he and UMES undergraduates built a payload that flew a zero-gravity parabolic flight to collect data that will be valuable in future space missions.
Throughout his career, he has excelled at involving undergraduates, many from underrepresented minority groups, in his research activities.
“Dr. Das epitomizes excellence in everything he does. His commitment to student learning is exceptional, and the results from his work speak for themselves, including strong co-authorships with students, students going to top graduate schools, discoveries and innovations in teaching… the list goes on,” said Dr. Moses T. Kairo, dean, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences. “He’s a true Hawk in every way.”
The USM Regents’ Award is the highest honor presented to exemplary faculty members in the system for their excellence in the categories of teaching; public service; mentoring; and excellence in scholarship, research or creative activity. Nominating committees at the institutions in the system make recommendations to their presidents, who review nominations and supporting material and forward recommendations to Chancellor Jay Perman. Final awardee decisions are made by the Regents Faculty Review Committee. This year’s cohort will be recognized during a live virtual meeting of the full Board of Regents on April 16. Each honoree will receive a $2,000 award provided by the institutions and the University System of Maryland Foundation.
“We look forward to recognizing these outstanding faculty members next month,” said Board of Regents Chair Linda Gooden. “Particularly as we address the challenges of the pandemic, it is a pleasure to celebrate their commitment and achievements with the individual institutions throughout the USM.”
Chancellor Perman added, “It’s an honor to recognize these faculty members, whose impact on their students is so profound. And while these awards recognize years of dedication, we know that the past 12 months have involved extraordinary challenges unique to COVID. Systemwide, our faculty have worked hard to maintain instructional quality under circumstances none of us wanted, and I’m grateful for that. But the efforts of these honorees are especially impressive and contribute so much to the USM’s resilience and strength.”
A USM press release served as a source for the above article.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, gcstphens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850
