Faculty members from Susquehanna University’s School of Natural & Social Sciences and Sigmund Weis School of Business have been honored with awards recognizing their research, service and teaching.
Rockwell receives inaugural Saridakis Natural Science Faculty Prize
Dean Kathy Straub presented the inaugural George E. ’75 and Susan Chang Saridakis Natural Science Faculty Prize to Assistant Professor of Biology Antonio Rockwell.
Rockwell is a cell and molecular biologist who began his career at Susquehanna in 2019. His research area is epitranscriptomics, the study of how RNA modification impacts cellular function, using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster — the fruit fly. Rockwell teaches courses across the biology curriculum and consistently mentors research students of all class years both during the academic year and every summer. He publishes peer-reviewed literature with his student co-authors and regularly takes them to professional conferences to present their research.
“Antonio is a dedicated advisor, mentor and role model to students,” said Straub, “and has broadened access to and support for science through his work with institutional programs and student clubs.”
Rockwell earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his doctorate from Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York.
The George E. ’75 and Susan Chang Saridakis Natural Science Faculty Prize was created to support a tenured or tenure-track faculty member in the natural science fields by providing financial resources to further their research, professional development and educational initiatives. The recipient is selected by a committee of faculty peers.
Business faculty awarded for research, service, teaching
Dean Matt Rousu presented awards to business faculty. Recipients are nominated by their faculty peers and students and then selected by committee.
Loc Bui, assistant professor of finance, won the Excellence in Research Award.
“Loc already has a sole-authored publication in the Journal of Corporate Finance, which is a significant accomplishment, especially at this stage of his career,” Bui’s nominator wrote. “What stands out even more is the strength of his research pipeline. He has multiple working papers and several projects in progress, all centered around important questions in corporate finance and fixed-income markets. His work is thoughtful, well-executed and grounded in meaningful economic questions.”
Bui joined the Sigmund Weis School of Business in 2023 and has since taught corporate financial management, international finance, and financial modeling and fixed income analysis. His research focuses on various aspects of fixed-income securities and corporate payout policies. He earned his master’s degree from Hanken School Economics, Finland, and his doctorate from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Dana Zhang, associate professor of accounting, won the Excellence in Service Award.
“Since joining the faculty in 2017, Dana has consistently and quietly strengthened the school through sustained, meaningful service whose impact far exceeds its visibility,” Zhang’s nominator shared, noting Zhang is a key contributor to revising the accounting department’s learning goals and assessment activities and serves on other university committees and task forces.
Zhang joined Susquehanna’s faculty in 2017. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting the Chinese University of Hong Kong, following by a master’s degree from The Ohio State University and a doctorate from the University of Houston.
Bo Liu, associate professor of accounting, won the Excellence in Teaching and Advising Award.
“Our AACSB accreditation emphasizes a commitment to continuous improvement, and that same principle clearly defines Bo’s approach to teaching,” Liu’s nominator said. “Since he began teaching accounting at Susquehanna, Bo has consistently refined and enhanced its content and delivery.”
Liu joined the faculty at Susquehanna in 2017. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University, followed by a master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Texas at Dallas.
