Researchers at Brown University are making a significant impact globally by advancing knowledge through their contributions, achievements, and discoveries. On April 29, 2025, Brown recognized 33 of these researchers during the ninth annual Celebration of Research, hosted by Provost Francis J. Doyle III and Brown’s new Vice President for Research, Greg Hirth.

Provost Francis J. Doyle III

“It’s a great honor today to recognize the remarkable accomplishments of our community,” said Provost Frank Doyle. “This ceremony gives us a chance to pause and reflect, and celebrate the amazing creativity, dedication, and impact that defines research here at Brown. I would say this year, more than most years, it’s particularly meaningful.”

Addressing faculty researchers, such as principal investigators, co-principal investigators, key research project personnel, and research support staff, the provost acknowledged the impact of the current federal funding environment.

“These past several months have been a challenging time, to say the least, for research at Brown and across all of higher ed in the nation,” said Doyle. “Shifts in the funding landscape, growing compliance demands, external pressures, and the headwinds from Washington have been requiring a certain dexterity in how we navigate complexity and uncertainty. And yet what we’ve seen from our researchers here at Brown has been nothing short of inspiring.”

“Your flexibility, your innovation, your commitment to advancing knowledge, indeed, your resilience in the face of all these challenges and obstacles, has been outstanding. You adapted in real time, you found new ways to collaborate, launch new ideas, and continue to lead research that shapes your fields and serves the world, much larger than just Brown,” said Doyle. “Today’s celebration is a reminder that in times of challenge, Brown’s research community rises not just to meet the moment, but to push boundaries and set new standards for excellence.” 

Vice President for Research Greg Hirth

The presentation of awards was led by Vice President for Research Greg Hirth, beginning with the nine winners of the 2025 Research Achievement Awards.

“These are significant honors that look at the groundbreaking work and amazing accomplishments of both junior and senior colleagues,” said Hirth. “Each person is honored for their remarkable scholarship and substantial contributions to knowledge in their respective fields. We have awards in four different areas: humanities and social sciences, life sciences and public health, physical sciences, and hospital-based research faculty.”

Hirth acknowledged 15 recipients of the 2025 Research Seed Fund, emphasizing that the Seed Awards often lead to substantial returns on research investments. He also honored the recipients of the Salomon Research Awards. “These awards are designed to support important research and scholarship projects undertaken by faculty members at all levels,” said Hirth. “This year, we are pleased to offer additional support specifically for faculty in the arts, humanities, and humanistic social sciences.”

Hirth introduced special guest Andy van Dam, a computer science professor and former vice president for research. “Andy was the first vice president for research at Brown, establishing the office in 2002 and serving until 2006,” said Hirth. “He is also a founder of the computer science department at Brown, where he started as a professor in 1965. The significant strides we’ve made in this research office are largely due to Andy and his vision for promoting the benefits of our research endeavors at Brown.”

In Closing

The event wrapped up with remarks from Deputy Vice President for Research Marty Scholtz. 

“Congratulations to all of you who have been recognized for your achievements today,” said Scholtz. “As you’ve seen, the Celebration of Research showcases some remarkable research conducted here at Brown. It allows us to pause and celebrate researchers at every stage of their careers. From the Seed Awards, which recognize beginnings and innovations, to Distinguished Research Achievement Awards that honor decades of impact, we celebrate research across the entire arc of one’s career.”

The reception kicked off with live music provided by the all-Brown-faculty band, “Dirty Filthy Basement.” The lineup featured Deputy Provost Janet Blume on drums, Joukowsky Family University Librarian and Adjunct Associate Professor of History Joe Meisel on guitar, Professor of History and East Asian Studies Kerry Smith on bass, and Professor of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences Baylor Fox-Kemper on keyboard. They were joined, in part, by special guest former Associate Vice President for Research Stephanie Endy on violin and Greg Hirth on guitar.

Research Achievement Awards

The annual Research Achievement Awards program, introduced in 2018, recognizes extraordinary research contributions by Brown faculty. Each candidate is nominated for demonstrating exceptional scholarship and advancing knowledge in their field in significant and innovative ways.

Early Career Research Achievement Awards are presented annually, while Mid-Career Research Achievement Awards and Distinguished Research Achievement Awards are presented in alternating years. The awards are selected in four categories: humanities and social sciences, life sciences and public health, physical sciences, and hospital-based research faculty.

Nine faculty members were selected for the 2025 Research Achievement Awards. Winners received Early Career Research Achievement Awards, Distinguished Research Achievement Awards, and a $5,000 research stipend to acknowledge their accomplishments.

Research Achievement Award Recipients

Research Seed Awards

The Research Seed Awards program, currently in its third decade, supports faculty in forging collaborations for new research avenues and boosting their chances of securing external funding. The Seed Awards range from $50,000 to $100,000, designed to help faculty establish these collaborations and enhance their funding competitiveness. Since its inception, the program has granted 256 Research Seed Awards, totaling over $15.6 million.

Fifteen faculty members received 2025 Research Seed Awards.

Seed Award Recipients

Salomon Research Awards

The Richard B. Salomon Faculty Research Awards provide a maximum of $15,000 to support outstanding faculty research and scholarship projects, particularly junior faculty members building their research portfolios. From 1995 to 1999, the program was made possible by the generous bequest of Richard B. Salomon, a former chancellor of Brown University, and the University has continued to fund the program. Since the program began, the Division of Research has granted 320 Salomon Awards, totaling $4.6 million.

Nine faculty members received 2025 Salomon Research Awards.

Salomon Award Recipients