Top researchers recognized for achievements at Apex Awards
KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec 4, 2025
The event, hosted by the since 2023, gathered researchers across KSU鈥檚 nine academic colleges, with each individual college鈥檚 leadership identifying its top three researchers from the past year.
鈥淎pex signifies the highest point, the summit,鈥� Executive Vice President for Research Karin Scarpinato said. 鈥淚t is with this spirit that we acknowledge the exemplary accomplishments of those whose work not only advances knowledge within their fields but also impacts our community and improves everyone鈥檚 lives.鈥�
This year鈥檚 recipients exemplify KSU鈥檚 commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity and championing the transformative power of research.
From cutting-edge discoveries in the sciences and engineering, to compelling insights in education and business, in the social sciences, humanities, and the arts, these researchers seek to forge new paths and improve society for all.
鈥� Story by Alyssa Ozment
Apex Award Recipients
Sohyun An, Bagwell College of Education
Johari Harris, Bagwell College of Education
Lateefah Id-Deen, Bagwell College of Education
Divesh Sharma, Coles College of Business
Dana Hermanson, Coles College of Business
Brian Rutherford, Coles College of Business
Sanjeev Adhikari, College of Architecture and Construction Management
Minsoo Baek, College of Architecture and Construction Management
Giovanni Loreto, College of Architecture and Construction Management
Autumn Eckman, Geer Family College of the Arts
Jeremy Speed-Schwartz, Geer Family College of the Arts
Jacqueline Springfield, Geer Family College of the Arts
Taeyeong Choi, College of Computing and Software Engineering
Rifatul Islam, College of Computing and Software Engineering
Mahmut Karakaya, College of Computing and Software Engineering
Timothy Faver, College of Science and Mathematics
Chetan Dhital, College of Science and Mathematics
Todd Pierson, College of Science and Mathematics
Kristin Horan, Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Brandon Lundy, Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Tom Rotnem, Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Beibei Jhang, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
Jayhyun Kwon, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
Muhammad Hassan Tanveer, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
Robert Buresh, Wellstar College of Health and Human Services
Nalani Butler, Wellstar College of Health and Human Services
Chinomso Nwozichi, Wellstar College of Health and Human Services
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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 网红头条 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. 网红头条is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 网红头条is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.