KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University's Office of Research and Innovation is recognizing two faculty members for their advanced and creative study.
Drs. Devin Bloom, associate professor of biological sciences, and Daniela Schröter, associate professor of public administration, have been awarded three-year Presidential Innovation Professorships.
“The recipients of this year’s Presidential Innovation Professorship exemplify extraordinary research, creative scholarship and a stellar passion for education,” WMU President Edward Montgomery says. “Their innovative contributions to WMU and society are inspiring, and with this distinguished award, I am confident they will continue to advance the frontiers of knowledge and research, shaping a bright future for generations to come.”
“Presidential Innovation Professorships provide distinguished faculty members with additional support to further impact their respective areas. These projects further innovation not only through faculty work but also through student involvement. These awards will increase the impact these top-notch faculty members have in their scholarship area and the classroom,” adds Dr. Remzi Seker, vice president for research and innovation.
The awards were determined by a selection committee and announced at the Research, Innovation and Creative Scholarship Celebration reception on April 8. The reception is part of a week of events through Sunday, April 14, that highlight research conducted by undergraduates, graduates and faculty at WMU and the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. See all events here
About the Presidential Innovation Professorships
Launched in January 2020 to spark innovation in teaching and research, Presidential Innovation Professorships recognize and provide funding to outstanding faculty members for creativity in research and entrepreneurial approaches to their disciplines. This is the fifth class of Presidential Innovation Professors.
Learn more about the research proposed by the 2024 class:
Dr. Devin Bloom
Dr. Devin Bloom
Using the tree of life to detect genomic and phenotypic signatures of migratory jawless fishes
This project will explore genome to phenotype, or physical features, adaptations that allow organisms to exploit wildly different environments—rivers, lakes and oceans—through migration. It will use cutting-edge bioinformatics, whole genome sequencing and CT-scans to explore the connection signatures written into the DNA of hundreds of fish species and the bodily forms they use to occupy different ecological niches and migrate thousands of miles.
Bloom will also help address one of the most perplexing questions in evolutionary biology by resolving evolutionary relationships among early jawless (hagfish, lamprey) and jawed vertebrates (fishes and land vertebrates).
Dr. Daniela Schröter
Dr. Daniela Schröter
Systemwide sustainability evaluation: A research and capacity-building agenda to further evaluation for sustainable development
This innovation project aims to examine evaluation approaches for systemwide sustainability evaluation and integrate findings into the curriculum at WMU and community development, emphasizing interconnectedness, capacity building and social justice.
Hands-on, project-based learning experiences will enable students to critically think, analyze and problem-solve when addressing real-world challenges. Learners will be inspired to hit the ground running when planning and evaluating sustainable development programs and policies, thus being drivers of change for a sustainable future locally and globally.
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