Recognizing excellence

Article by Tabitha Groh Photos by Evan Krape March 10, 2025

Faculty Senate celebrates four for their scholarship and engagement

Three University of Delaware faculty members and one graduate student were honored for their scholarly contributions at the Faculty Senate meeting on Feb. 3.

The Excellence in Scholarly Engagement awards recognize faculty members or graduate students who have distinguished themselves in teaching, research, creative activities and/or service that engages the community in a reciprocal relationship. The Mid-Career Excellence in Scholarship Award is given to faculty members who excel in research, scholarship and creative endeavors.

Faculty member Matthew Cohen and graduate student Abass Muhammed received the fall 2024 Excellence in Scholarly Community Engagement Award. Cohen received $5,000 — half of which will be used to facilitate relationships with new community partners in southern Delaware —and will have his name inscribed on bricks in Mentors’ Circle. Muhammed received $1,000 and a contribution will be made to his partner organization, the Center for Structural Equity.

Cohen, associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, serves as co-director of the Resilient Cognitive Aging Lab and associate director of the Delaware Center for Cognitive Aging Research. Cohen has developed multiple community initiatives to educate older adults about brain health in aging.

Matthew Cohen, associate professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders, received the fall 2024 Excellence in Scholarly Community Engagement award.

"I'm very grateful and honored to receive this recognition,” said Cohen. “Along with our many community partners, my colleagues and I in the Delaware Center for Cognitive Aging Research hope to continue our strides in reducing the prevalence and impact of Alzheimer's disease in Delaware and beyond."

Muhammed, a doctoral candidate in sociology and criminal justice, worked with low-income youth in Wilmington, Delaware, over the summer of 2024 to enhance literacy skills and to foster healthy masculinity and positive behaviors.

Abass Muhammed, pictured with Sarah Trembanis, chair of the Faculty Senate Student and Faculty Honors committee, Provost Laura Carlson and President Dennis Assanis, received the fall 2024 Excellence in Scholarly Community Engagement for Graduate Students award.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award,” Muhammed said. “This recognition by the UD Faculty Senate is a testament to the power of community-driven education for structurally underserved Black and Brown youths and young adults. Indeed, small, intentional efforts rooted in care for the community can leave a great impact. I am grateful to the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice and my community partners at the Center for Structural Equity for their unwavering support.”

Guoquan (Paul) Huang and Leah Palm-Forster received the fall 2024 Mid-Career Excellence in Scholarship Award. They were awarded $5,000 each and will have their names inscribed on bricks in Mentors’ Circle.

Huang, associate professor of mechanical engineering and computer and information sciences, is a highly regarded scientist and expert in some of the hottest technical topics in robotics. His research relates to how robots situate themselves in space and respond to changes in the environment.

Guoquan (Paul) Huang, associate professor of mechanical engineering, received the fall 2024 Mid-Career Excellence in Scholarship Award.

“I am honored and humbled to receive the Mid-Career Faculty Excellence in Scholarship Award,” Huang said. “My sincere gratitude goes to my departments and the College of Engineering for their unwavering support. I've been incredibly fortunate to work with great colleagues and outstanding students in my laboratory, all of whom contribute to our collective efforts to put UD Robotics on the map.”

Palm-Forster, associate professor in the Department of Applied Economics and Statistics and director of the UD Center for Experimental and Applied Economics, studies economic and behavioral issues at the intersection of agriculture and the environment.

“My first decade at UD has been full of opportunities to conduct research with wonderful colleagues and students,” Palm-Forster said. “We’ve applied experimental economics methods to examine important questions about behavior related to agri-environmental decisions, ecosystem service provision, and adaptation to climate change. These collaborations have inspired and energized me. I am honored to receive this award, and I am grateful for the tremendous support from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Department of Applied Economics and Statistics, and the Center for Experimental and Applied Economics.”