Accolades News for Researchers
Posted February 27, 2026 by Tiffany Lee
Accolades are compiled from faculty and staff submissions, the Office of Research and Innovation’s external recognition and awards coordinator, the Achievements column published by University Communication and Marketing, and college, center and departmental websites.
Honors and Recognitions
Adrian Wisnicki, English and Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, received the President’s Award from the North American Victorian Studies Association. The award honors members who have contributed in extraordinary ways to the association and to promoting the diversity and vigor of Victorian studies research. The association’s president and an appointed committee select the annual recipient after inviting nominations from the membership. Wisnicki received the award during the group’s annual conference, held Nov. 13-16 in Washington, D.C.
A record five Husker faculty were named senior members of the National Academy of Inventors. The designation recognizes excellence in patents, licensing and commercialization efforts that improve public welfare and economic development, as well as mentorship for the next generation of inventors. The five UNL researchers were among the 230 senior members selected this year – the NAI’s largest-ever class – who collectively hold more than 2,000 U.S. patents. Nebraska’s newest senior members are:
- Shubhendu Bhardwaj, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering
- Nicole Buan, professor of biochemistry
- Forrest Kievit, associate professor of biological systems engineering
- Rebecca Lai, professor of chemistry
- James Schnable, Nebraska Corn Presidential Chair and professor of agronomy and horticulture
Publications
Max Mueller, classics and religious studies, is author of “Wakara’s America: The Life and Legacy of a Native Founder of the American West,” which was recently published by Hachette Book Group. In the book, Mueller argues that the Ute leader Wakara should be considered a founding figure of the American West.
Professional Service
Danielle Jefferis, law, was appointed to serve on the City of Lincoln’s Charter Revision Commission. She was appointed by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and confirmed by the Lincoln City Council. The commission reviews and makes recommendations to the mayor and City Council on proposed revisions to Lincoln’s home rule charter, which grants the city broad authority over local and municipal affairs.
Todd Thornock, accountancy, joined the Cornhusker Bank Advisory Board in Lincoln. The bank selected him for his expertise in accounting, analytics and strategic decision-making. Thornock will help guide the bank’s impact and strengthen its ability to align organizational goals with customer needs. The appointment was announced in the February edition of Strictly Business magazine.
Other News
Melissa Hayes-Connolly is the new director of UNL’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. In this role, she will continue to expand OLLI’s high-quality programming and membership support and identify new ways to grow the program. Hayes-Connolly was previously the director of the Cooper Center for Academic Resources at Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she provided strategic leadership, oversaw daily operations and led peer tutors in support of student success. At OLLI, she succeeds retiring director Bob Michl.
Tiffany Heng-Moss has been named Harlan Vice Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at UNL and vice president for agriculture and natural resources for the University of Nebraska system. She has served in the dual role on an interim basis since June 2025. Heng-Moss joined Nebraska in 2001 with appointments in teaching, research and extension. Her research focused on developing crops with resistance to insect pests and understanding plant defense mechanisms across several of Nebraska’s major cropping systems. She partnered with Nebraska Extension to work directly with producers across the state to translate research into practical applications. From 2017 to 2025, Heng-Moss was dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, where she led initiatives focused on academic innovation, workforce development and student success. She earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture in 1995, a master’s degree in entomology in 1997 and a doctorate in entomology in 2000, all from UNL.
Thomas Padilla has been appointed as the University Libraries’ new associate dean for research and learning. He will lead a division of three units within the Libraries, including Research Partnerships, Teaching Partnerships, and Information Services and Learning Spaces. He will also hold an appointment as a tenured faculty member in University Libraries. Padilla is an expert on responsible uses of technology that advance research and learning, bringing a unique mix of experience drawn from R1 universities, the Internet Archive, the Library of Congress and Authors Alliance.
Research News Accolades Submission Form
