OHIO faculty named as Emerging Presidential Research Scholars

Ohio University has named three faculty members as winners of the Emerging Presidential Research Scholar Award. This is the first year that the award is being presented at Ohio University.

This year’s award winners are Associate Professor of History Victoria Lee, Associate Professor of Psychology Brett Peters, and Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Ralph S. Licklider, D.O. Endowed Professor Shouan Zhu.

The Emerging Presidential Research Scholar Award recognizes outstanding, emerging tenure-track faculty who have demonstrated excellence in research, scholarship and creative activity.

This program is targeted to emerging scholars who meet the following guidelines:

1. Within 3-8 years of being hired into any tenure-track position (OHIO or elsewhere)
2. No more than two years post receiving tenure
3. Have made significant contributions to their field through research/creative works and have clear promise for continued, significant productivity in their research/creative activity.

Applications are submitted by the college of each nominee and reviewed by the Council for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity and previous Presidential Research Schools.

Each Emerging Presidential Research Scholar receives an award of $6,000 to recognize their excellence in research, scholarship, and creative activity.

The award winners and all of the nominees will be recognized at an awards ceremony during the spring semester. 

The 2024-25 Emerging Presidential Research Scholars

Victoria Lee, Ph.D.

Victoria Lee, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the History Department in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“Dr. Lee has quickly emerged as a leading scholar of the history of technology and Asian history, accumulating accolades that scholars many years her senior would envy, including a significant book award,” a nomination letter for Lee states. “She has already netted top awards for two different publications and held two of the most prestigious international fellowships in Social and Natural Sciences, all while pursuing innovative teaching to large numbers of students and being an excellent citizen of our university.”

“One of the many things that makes Dr. Lee’s work so impressive is its reach across disciplines, and her ability to relate the history of science to larger questions,” the nomination also states. Lee has also been recognized for her teaching excellence.

“She is a well thought of teacher, colleague, and team-player. She has not only excelled in her research, but she has done a commendable job of teaching many students and meeting service commitments to our department and university,” the nomination letter states.

Brett Peters, Ph.D.

Brett Peters, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on stress and psychophysiology in social relationships. 

“Indeed, in terms of scholarship there seems no question of Dr. Peters’ acumen,” a nomination letter for Peters states. “Since 2017, when Dr. Peters received his Ph.D. and began at OU, he has published 23 peer-reviewed articles (30 total) on relationship dynamics as it relates to emotional regulation, stress, and other constructs,” the letter states. The letter also commends Peters for his success in obtaining external funding for research and his service work.

“Meanwhile, Dr. Peters represents a model for how to merge one’s research with teaching,” the nomination states. He is recognized for his work with undergraduate and graduate students, and several of the students he has advised or taught have won awards for their work.

“In sum, Dr. Peters has developed a fundable, productive program of research that is well-received in the academic community and provides a rich experiential learning environment for his students,” the nomination letter states.

Shouan Zhu, Ph.D.

Shouan Zhu, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and serves as the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Ralph S. Licklider, D.O. Endowed Professor. He also works with the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI) and Ohio University Diabetes Institute.

Since Zhu joined Ohio University in 2020, “his achievements have been nothing short of extraordinary,” a nomination letter for Zhu states. 

“Dr. Zhu has rapidly developed a globally acclaimed Osteoarthritis Research Laboratory, dedicated to unraveling the molecular mechanisms of joint degeneration during aging and obesity, and to discovering disease-modifying therapeutics for osteoarthritis. His research has been remarkably successful, garnering over $6.1M in highly competitive grants, a feat unparalleled in our collective experience, both at OHIO and nationally,” the nomination states. Zhu is also recognized for being a remarkable colleague; “his affable nature and extensive enrich our team, fostering stimulating and diverse discussions.”

“Dr. Zhu's impressive and varied body of work, which has garnered significant national and international recognition, stands as a testament to his dedication to osteoarthritis research,” the nomination states.