LSU Alumni Association Faculty Excellence Award

Associate Professor Revati Kumar

Associate Professor Revati Kumar has been named a recipient of the 2025 LSU Alumni Association Faculty Excellence Award, which honors faculty members for outstanding achievement in teaching, research, and service.

Kumar joined the LSU Department of Chemistry in 2013 and holds a joint appointment with LSU’s Center for Computation & Technology (CCT). Her research group aims to gain molecular-level insight and develop guiding principles for soft matter systems, ranging from gas phase clusters relevant to atmospheric chemistry to condensed phase systems. These include aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes, macromolecular self-assemblies, interfacial systems central to biological processes, energy storage technologies, and industrial applications.

The core of her work is developing advanced computational models to investigate complex environmental systems at relevant lengths and time scales. By bridging fundamental understanding with real-world challenges, Kumar’s research lays the groundwork for designing next-generation materials and technologies, including batteries, fuel cells, and catalysts.

Since joining LSU, Kumar has published 55 papers in high-impact journals and delivered over 45 invited talks nationwide. Her numerous honors include the 2020 LSU Rising Faculty Research Award, the 2019 College of Science Non-Tenured Faculty Research Award, the 2019 OpenEye Award for Research Excellence in Computational Chemistry, and a 2019 NSF CAREER Award.

Kumar is also committed to community engagement. She presented “How to Make Molecular Movies: An Introduction to Molecular Simulations” at LSU Saturday Science with the East Baton Rouge Parish Library program and participated in the College of Science Story Time series, helping to make science more accessible and the next generation of scientists.

Carruth McGehee Award for Excellent Research by a Junior Faculty Member

Associate Professor Noémie Elgrishi

Associate Professor Noémie Elgrishi received the 2025 Carruth McGehee Award for Excellent Research by a Junior Faculty Member. The award is part of the LSU University Faculty Awards and recognizes early-career faculty who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in research, with particular emphasis on a specific body of work.

Elgrishi was selected for her manuscript, “A Molecular Metal-Organic Cage as a Recyclable Sponge for PFOS Removal from Water,” which was published in Chemical Communications in 2024. Her research team addresses the critical environmental challenge of removing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a persistent pollutant part of the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), from water sources. The work highlights the development of a novel molecular metal-organic cage that acts as a recyclable "sponge" capable of capturing and removing PFOS efficiently. 

The work marks a significant advancement in the design of sustainable materials for environmental remediation and exemplifies Elgrishi’s innovative, solution-oriented approach to research. Her contributions to the field have earned her numerous accolades, including the 2024 ACS Women Chemists Committee Rising Star Award, the 2024 LSU Alumni Association Rising Faculty Research Award, selection as a 2023 Young Observer for the U.S. National Committee for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), and a 2021 NSF CAREER Award.

 

Dr. Marion D. "Soc" Socolofsky Award for Teaching Excellence

Professor Daniel Kuroda 

The Socolofsky Award for Teaching Excellence honors the legacy of the late Dr. Marion “Soc” Socolofsky, a fierce advocate for students at LSU and one of the College of Science’s most influential leaders and educators. The award recognizes faculty members who embody pedagogic qualities that Dr. Socolofsky was known for, including strong teaching, mentoring, and student experiences.

Professor Daniel Kuroda, who joined the LSU Chemistry faculty in 2013, is a physical chemist with a strong research portfolio, with 45 publications and significant grant funding. Beyond his scholarly accomplishments, Kuroda has earned a reputation as a gifted and dedicated teacher committed to student learning.

Over the years, Kuroda has taught a wide range of courses from general chemistry for non-science majors to advanced physical chemistry topics such as quantum chemistry and chemical thermodynamics. In the classroom, he is praised for using real-world examples, live demonstrations, and active learning strategies that foster critical thinking and curiosity.

Non-Tenured Faculty Research Award

Assistant Professor Sviatoslav Baranets

Sviatoslav Baranets, Assistant Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, has been selected for the 2025 Non-Tenured Faculty Research Award for his exceptional early-career research achievements and impactful contributions to the scientific community.

Since joining LSU in 2022, Baranets has quickly established a nationally recognized research program focused on semiconducting materials for sustainable energy solutions. His pioneering work on oxypnictide materials, designed to convert waste heat into usable electricity, demonstrates scientific innovation and real-world application. In 2024, his efforts were honored with the prestigious NSF CAREER Award and the ORAU Ralph E. Powe Award.

Beyond the lab, Baranets has made meaningful contributions to education and science outreach. He has revitalized the regional Chemistry Olympiad program, increasing student engagement and building partnerships with local science educators to inspire the next generation of scientists. 

Undergraduate Teaching Award

Assistant Professor Victor García-López

Assistant Professor Victor García-López has been selected for the 2025 Undergraduate Teaching Award, recognizing his outstanding commitment to undergraduate education, mentorship, and student success.

García-López joined LSU in 2020 and leads a dynamic research program at the intersection of organic chemistry, photochemistry, and membrane biophysics.

His work on light-activated molecular machines and switches for biomedical applications has earned international and national recognition, highlighted by prestigious awards such as the Career Award at the Scientific Interface from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the Sauvage–Stoddart–Feringa Junior Award, and the 2025 Thieme Chemistry Journals Award, along with 25 invited talks and publications in top-tier journals including Advanced Materials and Communications Chemistry.

Equally impressive is his dedication to teaching and mentoring. In only a few years at LSU, García-López has mentored 14 undergraduate researchers, many of whom have received awards and pursued graduate studies, eight graduate students, and one postdoctoral researcher. His commitment to outreach also extends beyond the university; he serves as the regional coordinator for the “You Be the Chemist” Challenge, engaging local middle school students in hands-on chemistry.