Neelam Poudyal for Faculty Global Lifetime Achievement
The Faculty Global Lifetime Achievement Award honors a UTIA faculty member who has made significant contributions to research, teaching, and/or extension in support of the university’s global vision, which is centered on action-oriented change, an idea-enriched world, and the Volunteer Spirit of service and leadership. Recipients demonstrate exceptional commitment to innovative global research, sustained academic partnerships, and fostering lifelong learning within the UT community and across Tennessee.
Neelam C. Poudyal, professor and director of graduate studies in the School of Natural Resources, has been a part of the UTIA community since his role as graduate research assistant in 2008. With an abundance of contributions to his field, he was most recently a Fulbright Scholar to Nepal for the 2022-2023 academic year. Colleagues praise Poudyal’s international engagement across countries like Jordan, China, Australia, and Peru as well as his involvement in the academic community.
Kristen Johnson for Faculty Global Excellence
The Faculty Global Excellence Award is presented annually to a member of UTIA faculty who makes remarkable contributions to furthering the international mission of the university. These faculty are recognized for their contributions to expand UTIA’s global reputation and exemplify innovation, influence, or impact on the institute through teaching, research, and/or extension.
Kristen Johnson, associate professor and Extension nutrition specialist, has been working within the UTIA community since 2017. Holding numerous licensures and certifications, Johnson is qualified across many nutritionist and self- management programs. She has served communities internationally with her nutrition programs and recently developed a series of recipes and cooking demonstrations for healthy Khmer food choices with partners in Cambodia. She has previously been recognized by organizations such as USAID and Epsilon Sigma Phi for her academic accomplishments. Colleagues praise Johnson’s nationwide work implementing networking opportunities for Extension professionals as well as the impact of her research on improved community health worldwide.
Sawyer Main for Outstanding Staff
The Outstanding Staff Global Engagement Award recognizes a UTIA staff member for their exceptional engagement in support of the university’s mission to globalize teaching, research, and Extension. It aims to acknowledge the contributions of those who expand the accessibility of international programming to members of the UT community and beyond.
Sawyer Main, an Extension assistant in the Department of Animal Science, has been involved in the coordination of numerous USDA global fellowship cohorts, the department’s international programming, and assisting faculty members with travel planning. In recent years, he has aided faculty in hosting visiting scholars from countries including Algeria, Kenya, Morocco, and the Philippines. Colleagues refer to Main as an instrumental and integral part of their teams, emphasizing how impactful he has been in his roles. Main also has been praised for his welcoming attitude, attention to detail, and dedication to global learning outcomes within the institution.
Taqi Raza for the Graduate Student Global Leader Award
The Graduate Student Global Leader Award recognizes Herbert graduate students who have shown leadership skills through their maintenance of a global community abroad and on the UTIA campus in Knoxville. This award is dedicated to graduate students and their contributions to the university’s global vision.
Taqi Raza is an agricultural and soil science researcher experienced in data handling and modeling. Having pursued his doctorate in environmental and soil sciences since 2022, he has continued to develop his project on agricultural eddy covariance storage. Raza has worked across the world in countries including Pakistan, France, and Indonesia. Professors and colleagues praise his global leadership skills and his prestigious STEM Chateaubriand fellowship in addition to numerous awards from UT Knoxville.
Meila Hamm for the Undergraduate Student Global Leader Award
The Undergraduate Student Global Leader Award recognizes Herbert undergraduate students who have shown leadership skills through their maintenance of a global community abroad and UTIA campus in Knoxville. This award is dedicated to undergraduate students and their contributions to the university’s global vision through their undergraduate studies.
Meila Hamm is studying biosystems engineering with a minor in international agriculture and natural resources. Her peers praise her involvement in organizations helping international students find community in Knoxville as well as for her academic efforts. Hamm recently participated in a study abroad program to Belgium with partner institution Texas A&M to further her studies internationally and has worked on projects relating to ethnographic data in Uganda. Instructors laud her impressive gifts and academic background and emphasize her incredible work ethic that led her to receive this award.
Matthew Pettepher for the College of Veterinary Medicine Student Global Leader Award
The College of Veterinary Medicine Student Global Leader Award recognizes students who have shown leadership skills through their maintenance of a global community abroad and at the UTIA campus in Knoxville. This award is dedicated to veterinary students who have contributed to the university’s global vision through their studies within veterinary medicine.
Matthew Pettepher is a veterinary student at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. He joined the UTIA community in 2019 while completing his Master of Public Health with a concentration in health policy and management. He has worked internationally at the Belize Zoo, Moholoholo Rehabilitation Center in South Africa, and with One Health in Ecuador. Pettepher’s local and international contributions to veterinary science have gained him commendation within the local community and with communities worldwide.
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