President, provost name 2020 Top Scholars

President Mark B. Rosenberg and Provost Kenneth G. Furton have named the Top Scholars for 2020. The group comprises 35 faculty members who are excelling in research, creative work, publications and other areas.

“At FIU, we truly value the meaningful and life-changing work of our faculty. Our top scholars, through their knowledge and learning, are committed to the success of our students. We are grateful to them for sharing their talent and passion for teaching with our university community," Rosenberg said.

The honorees are normally treated to a ceremony at the Ronald W. Reagan Presidential House, where they receive their Top Scholar pins. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the president and provost hosted a virtual gathering instead. Pins are being sent via the mail.

“It is a pleasure to recognize these exceptional faculty whose advances in research and student success have helped FIU make record jumps in national rankings in 2020, including numerous Top 50 rankings in recent months,” Furton said.

For the recipients, being named a Top Scholar is nice because it is praise from the top level of the university.

“You never know if all of this work, even for your own students, is being noticed by the people who are evaluating your productivity," says Professor Jesse Blanchard Ph.D. ’18, who was recognized for his work creating interactive experiences for his online students.

"I’m in the classroom, but the people that I see every day are not the people who are evaluating me. So it’s nice to get that acknowledgment coming back on the other side."

Associate Teaching Professor Katie Rothfield saw the award as an opportunity to reflect upon and appreciate her career at FIU. She came to the university as a full-time interior design professional more than a decade ago. Now, FIU Top Scholars recognizes Rothfield for the learning and professional engagement experiences she organized for students outside the classroom.

"As a busy professional, I think it is easy move forward in life and not look back at what you accomplished, and the process of applying for FIU’s Top Scholars helped me to see the outcomes I've created in a clear way. To be further acknowledged with the award was validation that my work made a difference for people," Rothfield said.

Here is the full list of 2020 Top Scholars.

Barry P. Rosen - Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

Bilal El Zahab - College of Engineering and Computing

Jesse Blanchard - College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Nathaniel Cadle - College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Celine Leboeuf - College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Elizabeth Cramer - College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Cristina Palacios - Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work

Michelle Cumming - College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Daniela Radu - College of Engineering and Computing

Danielle Clealand - Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs

Desmond Neil Leach - College of Communications, Architecture + the Arts

Remy Dou - College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Ebru Ozer - College of Communications, Architecture + the Arts

Elizabeth Anderson - College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Eugenio M. Rothe - Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

Felix Martin - Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs

Michael Grafals - College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Joelle Moreno - College of Law

Katie Rothfield - College of Communications, Architecture + the Arts

Lidu Yi - College of Communications, Architecture + the Arts

Louis Schulze - College of Law

Sarah Mathews - College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Matthew Mirow - College of Law

Maureen A. Donnelly - College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Melissa Baralt - Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs

Miguel Angel Cano - Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work

Raul Ruiz - College of Law

Rodolfo Rego - College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Sat Gavassa Becerra - College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Seema Pissaris - College of Business

Stav Fainshmidt - College of Business

Suzanne Koptur - College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Adela Timmons - College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Tomas Guilarte - Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work

Aza Weir-Soley - College of Arts, Sciences & Education