VTPB Professors Named Presidential Impact Fellows
Two Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM) faculty members who play dual roles in the college are among 21 from across the university who have been selected as members of the second class of Presidential Impact Fellows.
Michael Criscitiello, an associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology (VTPB) and assistant dean for the CVM’s Office of Research & Graduate Studies, and Albert Mulenga, a VTPB professor and associate department head for Research & Graduate Studies, were recognized during a ceremony on Oct. 25 by Texas A&M University President Michael K. Young and Provost and Executive Vice President Carol Fierke with the honor.
“Mike and Albert are passionate about what they do in their research labs. They are fully committed to making impactful discoveries and educating the next generation of scientists,” said Ramesh Vemulapalli, head of the VTPB department. “I’m very thrilled that they have received this well-deserved recognition.”
The Presidential Impact Fellows award is among the most prestigious recognitions for scholarly impact presented to Texas A&M faculty.
“The nomination and getting the Presidential Impact Fellow award are tremendous honors to me, my family, and my career; it’s huge,” Mulenga said. “During the ceremony, I felt great joy to see my wife taking pictures of me receiving the award. I am grateful to Dr. Vemulapalli for nomination, and to Dr. (Eleanor) Green for supporting and advancing this nomination.
“After the award ceremony, I felt a different level of energy in me to keep trying to be better at my job and contribute to our college and the TAMU community,” he said.
Criscitiello echoed the sentiment.
“I am very humbled and appreciative (to have received this award),” he said. “There are big shoes to fill, with (Dr. Bill) Murphy having won last time and Dr. Mulenga with me this time. Both have sustained, high-caliber, impactful research programs.”
To foster opportunities for dialogue, collaboration with other leading scholars, and the creation of new partnerships in the areas of teaching, research, and service, each recipient will receive an annual stipend of $25,000 for the next three fiscal years. The award also confers the lifetime title of Presidential Impact Fellow.
Mulenga plans to use his stipend to “broaden my engagement with the wider community of scientists and leaders.
“In the coming months, I plan to consult my mentors on how to best focus my program,” he said.
Likewise, Criscitiello will use his funds to facilitate meetings between himself and his two mentors, Leif Andersson and David Schatz.
“I will use the remaining funds to try to buy time in the form or administrative and managerial help for me and my lab,” he said. “I think this is the best way for me to elevate my research program.”
Young initiated the concept of the new titles and their strategic imperative at his 2017 “State of the University” address, calling on the students, faculty, staff, former students and partners of Texas A&M to embrace grand challenges, commit to core values and embody the unique “can-do” spirit that distinguishes Texas Aggies in service through education.
“Texas A&M University is proud to invest in our amazing faculty who continue to make significant impacts through teaching, research and service efforts,” Young said. “These rising stars are meeting the challenges in their field and demonstrating what influence they have toward creating a better world.”
The award winners were identified by their college and dean and confirmed by the academic leadership. Each is considered to be a candidate for continued, or new, national and international acclaim.
“This honor is clear recognition of the excellence of these faculty in their scholarly endeavors,” Fierke said. “They are among the nation’s very best and will continue for many years to make transformational impacts that reach far beyond the walls of Texas A&M.”
