Indiana University Bloomington has named recipients of the Tracy M. Sonneborn Award, Distinguished Faculty Research Award and Outstanding Junior Faculty Award. All three awards honor excellence in research and highlight faculty across campus who have dedicated themselves to expanding and transforming knowledge within their disciplines.

The Tracy M. Sonneborn Award, which honors faculty for accomplishments in teaching and research, is named for the late IU biologist. Sonneborn was a renowned geneticist who was also a highly regarded administrator and teacher.

The Sonneborn Award recipient is Donald F. Kuratko, the Jack M. Gill Distinguished Chair of Entrepreneurship in the Kelley School of Business.

The Distinguished Faculty Research Award, co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President and IU Research, recognizes the achievements of an IU Bloomington faculty member whose research makes important contributions to society.

The recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Research Award is Halina Goldberg, professor in the Department of Musicology in the Jacobs School of Music.

Both the Sonneborn Award and the Distinguished Faculty Research Award are accompanied by a public lecture delivered by the awardees. More details regarding the lectures will be announced in the fall.

“Each year, IU Bloomington is honored to recognize individuals whose work continually raises the standard for excellence in research and teaching,” said Carrie Docherty, vice provost for faculty and academic affairs. “There are many talented faculty who deserve appreciation for their amazing contributions and I am extremely pleased to celebrate these individuals this year.”

The Outstanding Junior Faculty Award, which identifies promising faculty who have not yet been awarded tenure, provides resources to further develop their research programs or creative activities. It is sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research.

The 2024-25 Outstanding Junior Faculty Award recipients are:

• Fan Chen, assistant professor in the Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering.

• Asaf Lubin, associate professor in the Maurer School of Law.

• Sergio Ospina Romero, assistant professor in the Department of Musicology in the Jacobs School of Music.

• Caryn Palatchi, assistant professor in the Department of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences.

• Julio Postigo, assistant professor in the Department of Geography in the College of Arts and Sciences.

• Marta Venier, assistant professor in the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

“IU Bloomington is proud to recognize these outstanding early-career faculty whose innovative research and dedication to their fields exemplify the excellence we strive for as an institution,” said Rahul Shrivastav, IU Bloomington provost and executive vice president. “Their achievements reflect the vibrant intellectual culture of our campus, and we are excited to support their continued growth and discovery.”

All of the award recipients were recommended by a faculty committee sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs. A reception will be held to honor these awardees during the 2025 fall semester.