The UGA College of Public Health had a lot to celebrate during UGA’s 2025 Honors Week. This week is an opportunity to recognize outstanding students, faculty and staff, and to thank them for their dedication to the university, our community and our mission through university- and college-wide awards.
UGA Engaged Scholar: Jenay Beer
This prestigious award recognizes tenured faculty members for their contributions to advancing public service, outreach and community engagement
“Dr. Beer’s impact can be seen both on and off of our campus,” said Dean Marsha Davis. “Through her role as associate director of the Institute of Gerontology and co-director of the Cognitive Aging Research and Education Center, she improves the lives of our students and guides them to success, while also developing new means for assisting individuals in our community.”
As an engineering psychologist, Beer’s research focuses on how individuals interact with health care technology, and she has dedicated her career to developing and evaluating technology interventions for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. This work spans mobile apps, robotics, telehealth, smart homes and more.
The UGA Engaged Scholar Award celebrates Dr. Beer’s unwavering commitment to integrating research, education, and community service. Her work not only advances academic knowledge but also delivers tangible benefits to the community, exemplifying the profound impact of engaged scholarship.
Lothar Tresp Outstanding Honors Professor Award: José Cordero
Dr. Jose Cordero earned The Lothar Tresp Outstanding Honors Professor Award from the UGA Morehead Honors College. This award recognizes superior teaching and dedication to Honors students.
Originally named the Outstanding Honors Professor Award, it was dedicated to Lothar Tresp in the mid-1990s. In 1960, Dr. Tresp began teaching Honors students as a professor of history. He became interim director of the Honors Program in 1965 and director in 1967. He retired from the University of Georgia in 1994.
As a distinguished professor at the UGA College of Public Health, Dr. Cordero brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom, inspiring students through his expertise in maternal and child health, epidemiology, and disease prevention. A former assistant surgeon general of the United States Public Health Service, he has spent his career advancing public health initiatives and shaping the next generation of health professionals.
This well-deserved award is a testament to Dr. Cordero’s unparalleled dedication, leadership, and commitment to student success. Congratulations, Dr. Cordero!
CPH Faculty Excellence Awards
CPH Excellence in Research Award: Ye Shen
This award recognizes CPH faculty whose research has a significant impact on the discipline and/or shows creativity in research.
Dr. Shen’s research has helped inform policies on a spectrum of infectious diseases ranging from COVID-19 and seasonal influenza to schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease caused by flatworms. By better understanding the epidemiology and the transmission dynamics of these diseases, his research is an important step in designing community-based interventions and decreasing infection.
He is also researching how emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and Avian Influenza H7N9, are established and transmitted and aims to develop analytic methods to understand how these diseases affect under protected populations.
Additionally, Dr. Shen is dedicated to mentoring early-career researchers and students, refining predictive models to identify infection hotspots. This award not only honors his groundbreaking research but also highlights the future impact of his work.
CPH Excellence in Service Award: Curt Harris
This award recognizes dedication to expanding students’ learning experience, establishing community/ practice partnerships, and generating activities that will improve health across a community or population.
Service and a strong commitment to practice are fundamental to meaningful progress in public health. When we apply knowledge through community engagement, evidence-based training and interventions, and policy development, we create real and lasting impact. It is this integration of practice and service that ensures our research remains relevant and that our field continues to advance health for all.
Dr. Harris’s career, and his role as Director of the UGA Institute for Disaster Management is a testament to translating research into practice. His efforts in forging collaborations between academic experts and community organizations have paved the way for public health initiatives that make a real difference, ranging from training programs and resources to improve emergency preparedness in Georgia’s nursing homes to homeland security.
He is a tireless advocate for increased disaster education in public health, and his research collaborations have spanned disaster communication, reviewing emergency services during infectious disease, and developing interventions to support other workforces during emergencies.
CPH Excellence in Teaching Award: Justin Ingels
This well-deserved recognition reflects his dedication to student success and leadership in public health education.
As the primary instructor for Introduction to Public Health, Dr. Ingels teaches nearly 400 students each year, ensuring that both public health majors and students from across UGA gain a strong foundation in the field. His active learning approaches and student-centered instruction have made his courses engaging and impactful, as reflected in consistently high course evaluations and glowing student feedback. Many students have credited his class with solidifying their decision to pursue a public health major or minor, with one noting that his passion for the subject “had a significant impact on my life’s trajectory.”
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Ingels has led Faculty Learning Communities focused on peer observation and active learning, helping to enhance instructional effectiveness across the College. He also plays a key role in data-driven curriculum improvement, ensuring that teaching strategies evolve to meet student needs.
Dr. Ingels’s dedication, innovation, and commitment to student success make him a truly outstanding educator.
CPH Excellence in Online Teaching Award: Kyle Turner
This award recognizes excellence and innovation in online teaching for full-time faculty in the College of Public Health. Award winners are recognized for their commitment to advancing the quality of online teaching and learning.
Since joining the college, Dr. Turner has made a profound impact on online learning through his innovative approach to teaching biostatistics in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program. He has proven himself up to the task of also making complex concepts accessible and engaging, even in a fully online format.
His courses not only provide a strong statistical foundation but also integrate real-world applications, helping students connect data analysis to public health practice. He uses authentic materials from top journals and creates hands-on exercises that prepare students for the interdisciplinary challenges of public health.
Beyond content delivery, Dr. Turner is deeply committed to student success. He actively seeks feedback, refines his courses, and enhances learning experiences with studio-recorded videos addressing challenging topics. His dedication to continuous improvement, student-centered learning, and academic excellence has set a new standard for online education.
CPH Part-Time Faculty Award: Edmond Maes
This award recognizes excellence and contributions in teaching, service, and/ or professional activities.
As a Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Dr. Maes brings a wealth of knowledge to his courses and utilizes his years of experience in both research and teaching to break down complex epidemiological concepts into clear, engaging lessons that empower students to apply their knowledge in real-world public health settings.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Maes is deeply committed to mentorship and student growth. He takes the time to support his students, encouraging them to think critically, develop analytical skills, and gain confidence in tackling public health challenges. His engaging teaching style and dedication to fostering a collaborative and supportive learning environment have left a lasting impact on countless students.
This award is a testament to his passion for teaching, his expertise in epidemiology, and the positive influence he has on the next generation of public health professionals.
CPH Outstanding Staff Awards
CPH Staff Inclusive Excellence Leadership Award: Nichole McCorkle
This award recognizes an exceptional staff member who has gone above and beyond their duties to contribute to CPH’s quality and excellence
In their nomination submissions, colleagues noted and commended the many actions Nichole McCorkle has taken over the years to make all feel welcome and included.
Nichole is highly attentive, thoughtful, and committed to ensuring that the right tools are provided for success. The college’s sense of community is strengthened by Nichole’s willingness and ability to support the needs of a multitude of varying backgrounds. She is dedicated to making sure her international students have the same access to resources as everyone else.
CPH Outstanding Staff Award: Wayne Crotts
This award recognizes an exceptional staff member who has gone above and beyond their duties to contribute to CPH’s quality and excellence.
In their nomination submissions, colleagues described Wayne as a being “extremely dedicated” to his position and those he serves.
He’s viewed as someone who takes initiative and works tirelessly to ensure smooth operations for our faculty, staff, and students. As a Systems Administrator his work is completed mostly behind the scenes, but is no less important. Colleagues have definitely taken notice and appreciated the care Wayne pours into every task.
Wayne’s passion for serving others and making a positive impact serves as guiding light to everyone at the College of Public Health and inspires them to strive for excellence as well.
Student Honors & Awards
Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
The Center for Teaching and Learning administers the Outstanding Teaching Assistant (OTA) award, sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Instruction. This award recognizes teaching assistants who demonstrate superior instructional skills while serving in the classroom or laboratory.
Noah Hopkins, Health Promotion & Behavior
Erick Mollinedo, Environmental Health Science
Emliy Townsend Vinson, Health Promotion & Behavior
Presidential Award of Excellence: Emily McDonald
This award is earned by undergraduate students in their final year of study who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, strong extracurricular involvement, and service to and involvement in their respective school or college. Students selected for this award exemplify the best of UGA’s undergraduate student body.
Emily McDonald, from Brunswick, GA, is a graduating senior in Environmental Health Science with a minor in Genetics. Emily has maintained the highest standard of excellence in academics, research, and service. She will graduate this May with a long list of accolades including recognition for academic excellence as an Epsilon Nu Eta Environmental Health Honor Society inductee, the 2024 Harold & Mary Barnhart Scholarship, the 2024 Georgia Environmental Health Association Irving Bell Scholarship, the Charles McDonald Brown Scholarship, and the Southeast Georgia Health System Teen Volunteer Scholarship recipient.
She has demonstrated excellence in service to the community and to UGA as a peer learning assistant for the Division of Academic Enhancement and is currently serving as an undergraduate ambassador for the College of Public Health. On campus, she serves on the executive boards of the Environmental Health Science Club and UGA’s Cancer Support Community chapter. She is an undergraduate researcher with Dr. Charles Easley’s lab in Environmental Health Science. She also volunteers in the community with The Cottage Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Center’s 24/7 hotline as a crisis counselor.
In her free time, Emily likes to spend time with friends, play pickleball, and watch movies. After graduating from UGA, she plans to complete a Masters in Genetic Counseling and work as a genetic counselor.
Hear from Emily on why she chose EHS, “I chose my major because I have always been passionate about the relationship between the environment and human health. I’ve enjoyed the close-knit community of students and the close connections with professors that I have been able to make with those in the college. A background in public health has allowed me to learn the importance of prioritizing healthy lifestyles and prevention methods in communities.”
Tenure & Promotion
Kerstin Emerson promoted to Clinical Professor
Mumbi Anderson promoted to Clinical Associate Professor
Stephen Correia granted tenure
Sarah Saint Hamilton promoted to Clinical Associate Professor
Lisa Renzi-Hammond promoted to Full Professor
Jessica Knight promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure
Rebecca Wells promoted to Clinical Associate Professor
