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The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is proud to present Dr. Robert Kelley Bradley and Dr. Gevorg Sargsyan with the Faculty Mentor Award for their exceptional dedication to mentoring undergraduate students in research endeavors.

The OUR Faculty Mentor Award recognizes individuals who have exhibited outstanding commitment to guiding and nurturing undergraduate students through research experiences, thereby facilitating their academic and professional growth.  There are two awards presented annually – one to a faculty mentor in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields and one in Humanities, Arts, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Education, and Business (HASBSEB).

“I struggled academically until I did a research internship,” Dr. Bradley said. “I didn’t understand what I was supposed to do with the things I was learning in class, but once I got to start applying them, it all changed for me. I think it is the same for the students I mentor. The research experience also helps them when they apply for industry internships and when they apply for jobs after graduation. Hiring managers like students who can handle complicated projects, and the research experience gives the students a great example to share about how they were successful with such a project.”

Among the key evaluation criteria considered in conferring the award is faculty’s demonstrated evidence of mentoring undergraduate students, including the number of students mentored, research settings facilitated, and activities designed to foster student success.

Dr. Bradley has also facilitated undergraduate involvement in research grants, securing funding for projects aimed at investigating diverse scientific inquiries. His efforts have enabled students to gain valuable research experience while contributing meaningfully to their respective fields. 

Dr. Sargsyan has long supported undergraduate research, having attended the annual conference every year since 2018.  His passion for undergraduate research has led him to mentor several students through their young research journey and gets satisfaction from seeing them progress to advanced pursuits and careers.  He continuously supports research in all levels of academia and participates in study abroad programs with the College of Business to stimulate his students’ minds.

To learn more about the Office of Undergraduate Research, visit /undergraduate-research/index.html