Faculty Recognition

Alexander Pettitt

NSF Award for Studying Star Formation in Model Galaxies

Dr Pettitt Dr. Pettitt has just been awarded a two-year, $230,000 grant from the National Science Foundation as part of their Launching Early-Career Academic Pathways in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program. In this project, “Unveiling the Role of a Galaxy's Structure with Bespoke Numerical Models,” Dr. Pettitt will work with Sac State undergraduate students to develop and use computerized simulations of galaxies to develop a better understanding of the role that the shape and dynamics determine the star formation rate of the various models and compare to observational data. This grant will provide some opportunities for student researchers to be paid for their work and present their results at conferences. As part of the broader impact goals of this program, this grant will also augment our Physics Colloquium Series and our public Planetarium shows. More information about the project can be found here.

Congratulations to Dr. Pettitt! We look forward to seeing the impact of this work on our students and for the greater scientific community.

Eliza Morris

Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Dr Morris The College Selection Committee, with the concurrence of Dean Lisa Hammersley, has selected Dr. Eliza Morris to receive the NSM Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching for the academic year ’23 - 24. This award acknowledges excellence in teaching, both in and out of the classroom, and highlights the importance of teaching at Sacramento State.

The award was presented to Dr. Morris at a campus-wide ceremony on Thursday February 29, 2024.

Eliza Morris

Outstanding Faculty Award for University Service in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Dr Morris The College Selection Committee, with the concurrence of Dean Lisa Hammersley, has selected Dr. Eliza Morris to receive the NSM Outstanding Faculty Award for University Service for the academic year ’22 – 23. This award acknowledges service which is provided through faculty leadership and involvement as members or chairs of committees, in carrying out special assignments, and participating in the collegial governance of the University.

The award was presented to Dr. Morris at a campus-wide ceremony on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Rodolfo Barniol Duran

Outstanding Faculty Award for Community Service in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Dr Barniol Duran The College Selection Committee with the concurrence of Dean Lisa Hammersley, has selected Dr. Rodolfo Barniol Duran to receive the NSM Outstanding Faculty Award for Community Service for the academic year ’22-23. This Award recognizes and highlights the important connection between the University’s mission and the faculty’s application of knowledge and skills in addressing community needs. The recipients are honored for their active engagement in the Sacramento region and the contributions they make to the public good.

The award was presented to Dr. Barniol Duran at a campus-wide ceremony on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Eliza Morris et al.

NSF Award for Comparative Study of Active Learning in Undergaduate Physics Classes

Prof. Morris Eliza Morris has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Education and Human Resources program. She will be leading a team that includes Physics’ own Mikkel Jensen and Vera Margoniner, and from the College of Education, Bita Rivas.

The $300k grant will fund the implementation of three different active learning models in lower-division physics courses. The research study will focus on comparing the cost, efficacy, and impact on student success of the different models across multiple semesters. More information about the project can be found here: https://nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2215202

Congratulations to Dr. Morris and her team, we look forward to learning about your findings!

Rodolfo Barniol Duran

University Award for Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity for Early Career Faculty

Prof. Barniol

Assistant Professor Rodolfo Barniol Duran received this award for Academic Year '20-21 for his theoretical work on the physics of gamma-ray bursts and astrophysical jets.

Since he joined the Department in 2017 Professor Barniol has published over 17 research papers, mentored 10 student research projects and had two research grant proposals funded by the National Science Foundation.

Congratulations to Professor Barniol for the recognition of his outstanding research program.

Vera Margoniner

Outstanding Faculty Award for University Service Award in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Vera Margoniner

This award recognizes the important faculty role and responsibility for service within the University, service which is provided through faculty leadership and involvement as members or chairs of committees, in carrying out special assignments, and participating in the collegial governance of the University. The College’s Selection Committee, with the concurrence of Interim Dean Hammersley, has selected Dr. Vera Magoniner to receive this award for Academic Year ’20-21.

Award recipients will be honored at a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 3 – 5 p.m.

Mikkel Jensen

Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

This Award affirms the importance of teaching in the life of the faculty and recognizes and honors outstanding teachers for their teaching effectiveness and their impact on the lives of their students. The College’s Selection Committee, with the concurrence of Interim Dean Hammersley, has selected Dr. Mikkel Jensen to receive this award for Academic Year ’20-21.

Award recipients will be honored at a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 3 – 5 p.m.

Mikkel Jensen and Eliza Morris

Drs. Jensen and Morris research has been featured on PLoS Computational Biology journal website. Their paper, “Stochastic ordering of complexoform protein assembly by genetic circuits,” is dated June 2020.

Read Full Article on PLoS