The West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design has selected its outstanding faculty for 2012.
Megan Govindan, teaching assistant professor of human nutrition and foods, was named outstanding teacher. In 2011, Govindan was the sole or lead instructor for 23 credit hours, teaching a total of 464 students and served as the academic advisor for 40 undergraduate students. She was also named program director of the accredited undergraduate Didactic Program in Dietetics and took the lead in developing a proposed minor in foodservice production.
E. Keith Inskeep, professor of reproductive physiology, was honored for outstanding service. Inskeep has developed a broad service portfolio, with significant contributions related to his research in the area of small ruminants, primarily sheep and goats. He has led farm visits in Ireland, Scotland and England for farmers and extension agents, chaired the Heritage Committee for the Society for the Study of Reproduction, and presented demonstrations on reproduction in sheep for audiences throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
Jianbo Yao, associate professor of animal and nutritional sciences, was honored for outstanding research. Yao’s research specialization is functional genomics and the discovery of novel genes. In 2011, he published six peer-reviewed journal articles, bringing his total to over 30 during his tenure at WVU, which began in 2003. He has made significant contributions to the map of the genome of rainbow trout. Yao was one of three WVU faculty to receive the 2012 Benedum Distinguished Scholar Awards.
Dennis K. Smith, professor of agribusiness management and rural development and associate dean for academic affairs, was named outstanding advisor. As associate dean, Smith coordinates faculty advising for the Davis College’s 1,777 undergraduate and 276 graduate students. He also oversees curriculum development in the college’s 22 undergraduate, 17 master’s, and seven doctoral programs. Smith is also faculty advisor for all students in the college’s Master of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences program and works closely with student organizations and college alumni groups.
Honors for outstanding teaching, research and service are selected by the Davis College’s Promotion and Tenure Committee. The college’s outstanding advisor is nominated by the student body and selected by the Davis College Student Council. Outstanding faculty were recognized at the college’s employee appreciation event on May 8.
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CONTACT: David Welsh, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
304.293.2394, dwelsh@wvu.edu
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