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College Names Outstanding Researchers
Outstanding College Researchers
from left: Ali Riaz and David Williams.
Not pictured: Roberta Seelinger Trites
The College of Arts and Sciences Research Proposal Review Committee (RPRC) has announced this year's Outstanding College Researchers: Ali Riaz, Associate Professor of Politics and Government; Roberta Seelinger Trites, Professor of English; and David Williams, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences. Each year the committee selects one winner from each of the College's three divisions: humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Winners of the award are eligible to be nominated in future years for the Outstanding University Researcher Award. "As usual, choosing award winners from an impressive pool of nominees was simultaneously difficult and enjoyable," said Associate Dean Sam Catanzaro. "The RPRC was honored to review the portfolios of all these internationally recognized nominees, and we were reminded once again of how talented and accomplished our colleagues are."

Ali Riaz is a political scientist who has been on the faculty at Illinois State since 2002. His work focuses on South Asia, especially on minorities and religious extremism, and he is becoming recognized as a leading scholar in this area. He has published several very highly-regarded books as well as numerous articles in prestigious journals; he has served as an international consultant; and he is frequently invited to give presentations at important conferences. His work is not only timely, it features the kind of rigorous scholarship that ensures its impact and importance will last.

Roberta Seelinger Trites is a specialist in children’s and adolescent literature, who joined the English faculty in 1991. She has been a leader in transforming the study of Children’s literature; what was once viewed as simplistic material is now revealed as intricate and significant work of cultural formation and cultural action. Her award-winning books, numerous essays, extensive editorial activity, international presentations, and rigorous mentoring of graduate students all attest to her impact on individuals working both within and outside Children’s literature.

David Williams became a member of the faculty in Biological Sciences in 1995, and he is an expert in parasitology. Specifically, he uses a variety of techniques to study the human parasite that causes schistosomiasis (an infectious disease common in the tropics). He has over 20 peer-reviewed publications in prestigious international journals, frequently reviews for important journals, and maintains productive research collaborations with scientists around the world. His work has been awarded over $1 million dollars in external grants, most of which has come from the prestigious and highly competitive National Institutes of Health, which is another indicator of both its value and its quality. 

In addition to announcing this year's Outstanding College Researchers, the RPRC also announced its nominees for the University research awards. For Outstanding University Researcher, the committee nominated Glenn Reeder (Psychology), James Skibo (Sociology-Anthropology), and Charles Thompson (Biological Sciences). For the Research Initiative Award, the committee nominated David Cedeño (Chemistry), Alycia Hund (Psychology), Hilary Justice (English), John Sedbrook (Biological Sciences), and Wenhua Zhao (Mathematics).
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