Four Faculty Honored with 2025 Provost’s Outstanding Mentor Award
Four faculty members at Stony Brook University have been recognized for their exceptional contributions to mentorship with the annual 2025 Provost’s Outstanding Mentor Award. The recipients are Suparna Rajaram, Sierra Washington, Ken Weitzman, and Lonnie Wollmuth. This award acknowledges the dedication of senior faculty who have significantly impacted the professional development of their colleagues.
According to Mónica Bugallo, vice provost for faculty and academic staff development, the award highlights the nominees’ long-standing commitment to mentoring. “Each of these faculty members has demonstrated exceptional dedication to supporting the intellectual, creative, scholarly, and professional growth of their mentees,” she stated. The award is aimed at recognizing those who provide guidance and foster a healthy work-life balance, particularly for non-tenure track, pre-tenure, and mid-career faculty.
David Wrobel, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, expressed gratitude for the honorees, stating, “Institutional excellence and community strength rest on a foundation of exemplary mentorship. Each of our awardees is a role model as we strive to build a nurturing community.”
Profiles of the Outstanding Mentors
Suparna Rajaram is a distinguished professor in the Department of Psychology, renowned for her research on memory and collective memory. With over 50 articles published in peer-reviewed journals, she is known for her profound dedication to mentoring. Colleague Nicholas Eaton praised her, saying, “Dr. Rajaram’s dedication to mentoring is unparalleled in its depth, breadth, warmth, shared vulnerability, experience, and expertise.”
In the realm of global health, Sierra Washington serves as a clinical associate professor and director of global health in the Center for Global Health Equity. She leads Stony Brook Medicine’s program in Mozambique, addressing one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally. William M. Burke, interim chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, highlighted Washington’s ability to inspire growth and enhance teaching skills among faculty members.
From the Department of English, Ken Weitzman is also affiliated with the Alda Center for Communicating Science. As a playwright and founder of Science on Stage, he connects artists with scientists. His commitment to mentorship has been transformative for early-career faculty, with Matthew Salzano noting, “His guidance has positively shaped the careers of many others.”
Lastly, Lonnie Wollmuth, a professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, has made significant contributions to the understanding of glutamate receptors. With a remarkable funding record exceeding $11 million from the NIH, he is also recognized for his mentorship efforts. Alfredo Fontanini, chair of his department, remarked on Wollmuth’s dedication to helping his mentees achieve ambitious goals.
These four faculty members exemplify the spirit of mentorship that is crucial for the development of academic communities. Their commitment to fostering professional growth not only enhances the university environment but also positively impacts the broader field of education and research.
