Recent achievements for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln community were earned by JC Andrews, Nathan Bicak, Nosakhare Idiaghe, Izuchukwu Iwuamadi, Kala Mueller, Kristen Olson, Bo Peng, Sedoten Ogun, Hiep Vu, Eric Weaver and Xinpeng Zhang.
Honors
JC Andrews, a doctoral student in English, was named by Yale University Press as winner of the 2026 Yale Series of Younger Poets competition. The judge, award-winning and critically acclaimed poet Monica Youn, chose Andrews’ manuscript, "Of an Ilk." The manuscript will be published by Yale University Press in March 2027. Read more here.
Nathan Bicak, associate professor in the College of Architecture, earned the 2026 Interior Design Educators Council Teaching Excellence Award. Bicak was recognized for his sustained commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on learning and transformative educational experiences that prepare students to engage meaningfully with communities and the built environment.
Nosakhare Idiaghe, a doctoral candidate in engineering education research, has received the 2026 Mike Shinn Distinguished Member of the Year Award by the National Society of Black Engineers. The Mike Shinn Distinguished Member of the Year Award is one of the highest honors bestowed by the society. This award recognizes a society members who exemplify the absolute pinnacle of leadership, academic excellence, professional achievement, and community impact.
Izuchukwu Iwuamadi, Bo Peng, Sedoten Ogun and Xinpeng Zhang, all graduate students, earned Lohr Family Excellence in NFHC Research awards from the Nebraska Food for Health Center. The award recognizes outstanding scholarship, research and collaboration, with a focus on the Nebraska Food for Health Center’s mission.
Kala Mueller, director of public interest and pro bono initiatives in the University of Nebraska College of Law, received the Emerging Leader award from the Association of American Law Schools Pro Bono and Access to Justice Section. The Emerging Leader award recognizes early- to mid-career professionals whose work demonstrates exceptional leadership, innovation,and commitment to advancing justice through pro bono and public interest efforts.
Kristen Olson, director of the Bureau of Sociological Research and Leland J. and Dorothy H. Olson Professor of Sociology, was awarded the 2026 Outstanding Service award from the American Statistical Association's Survey Research Methods Section. The award recognizes the extraordinary contributions made by a particular section member.
The Bateman team from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, earned an honorable mention and top 14 finish in the 2026 Bateman Case Study Competition hosted by the Public Relations Student Society of America. A total of 46 teams entered the competition, which challenges students to research, plan, implement and evaluate a public relations campaign for a different client each year. This year’s team developed a campaign for a new educational program at ACCESS Newswire that gives college professors free access to the platform. Team members are Kate Johnson, Cady Blackstock, Kate Miller, Paloma Sanchez-McGee and Sami Glogowski.
Grants
Eric Weaver, professor in the School of Biological Sciences, has been awarded a nearly $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as one of just 37 recipients nationwide to develop next-generation vaccines aimed at preventing swine influenza pandemics. His project focuses on creating a broadly protective, longer-lasting vaccine for pigs using advanced computational modeling to target multiple strains of influenza A — viruses that pose a serious threat because pigs can act as “mixing vessels” for strains from birds, humans, and other animals. By improving vaccine effectiveness and durability, the research aims to reduce the risk of dangerous new strains emerging and spreading to people, while also protecting animal health and minimizing economic losses in the pork industry.
Hiep Vu, faculty member in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, secured nearly $650,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to advance a new approach to swine influenza vaccination as part of a competitive national cohort of 37 projects. His work centers on developing a noninfectious, DNA-based vaccine platform that can be quickly updated as the virus evolves, using lipid nanoparticles to safely deliver genetic material that stimulates strong immune responses in pigs. By enabling faster and more effective vaccine updates against multiple circulating strains, the project aims to curb the spread of influenza in swine herds, reduce economic losses for producers, and lower the risk of transmission to humans.
This column is a regular feature of Nebraska Today. Faculty, staff and students can submit achievements to be considered for this column via email to achievements@unl.edu. For more information, call 402-472-8515.
