Nova Southeastern University’s prestigious faculty recognition program is once again seeking nominations as the 15th Annual Provost’s Research and Scholarship Award (PRSA) opens its call for submissions. With the September 12 deadline approaching, the university community has the opportunity to recognize exceptional scholars whose work exemplifies the highest standards of academic achievement.
PRSA is a cornerstone of NSU’s commitment to fostering excellence across all academic disciplines. The award celebrates not just individual achievement, but the collaborative spirit and innovative thinking that drives meaningful research forward.
A Call for Community Participation
The nomination process invites the entire NSU community to participate in identifying excellence. This collaborative approach to recognition reflects the university’s understanding that great scholarship often emerges from supportive academic environments where peers recognize and celebrate each other’s achievements.
The NSU community has a month-long window, from August 11 to September 12, to submit nominations that highlight exceptional research achievements, scholarly impact, and innovative contributions across all fields of study.
Recognizing Diverse Paths to Excellence
The PRSA program’s unique structure reflects the breadth of scholarly excellence at NSU. Four awards are presented annually—two recognizing outstanding work in Arts, Business, Humanities, Law, and Social Sciences, and two honoring achievements in STEM and Biomedicine. Within each category, the program acknowledges both emerging talent through early-career faculty recognition (assistant professors) and established leadership from seasoned scholars (associate and full professors).
This balanced approach ensures that excellence is celebrated at every career stage, from the fresh perspectives of new faculty to the sustained impact of veteran researchers.
2024 Recipients Set High Standard
The 2024 PRSA recipients brought unique contributions to their respective fields and demonstrate the caliber of scholarship this award attracts: Jeremy Weissman from the Halmos College of Arts & Sciences, Florence Neymotin from the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Jonathan Banks from the College of Psychology, and Aman Cheema from the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Toshihisa Kawai from the College of Dental Medicine, and Joana Figueiredo of the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences.
Professor Kawai, who also serves as chair of the Department of Oral Science and Translational Research at NSU’s College of Dental Medicine, reflects on receiving the 2024 award: ” This recognition affirms the dedication of my research team and the value of collaborative scholarship across disciplines.”
Professor Figueiredo, a professor in the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, emphasizes how “peer recognition of my dedication to research and to NSU has been a powerful source of motivation.”
Their diverse research interests illustrate how NSU faculty are addressing complex challenges from multiple disciplinary perspectives.
The Personal Impact of Recognition
For recipients, the PRSA represents more than professional recognition—it serves as validation of their scholarly journey and motivation for future endeavors.
Professor Jonathan Banks from the College of Psychology highlights the collaborative nature of research excellence: “I was honored to receive the PRSA award, especially given the number of talented researchers at NSU. The work that I have conducted was possible due to my amazing collaborators and current and former students.”
For Professor Florence Neymotin from the Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, the award represented the fulfillment of a long-held aspiration: “When I first came to NSU just under fifteen years ago, I remember how impressed I was with the winner of the Provost’s Research and Scholarship Award. I decided then and there that this would be something towards which I could strive.”
Assistant Professor Jeremy Weissman captures the award’s impact on early-career faculty: “The PRSA Assistant Professor Award offered me the kind of validation and recognition that is highly encouraging and motivating at this early stage of my career. Shortly following the award, I was asked by the Honors College to deliver a talk on my current research, so it has already unlocked opportunities for me on campus.”
Looking Forward
As NSU continues to build its reputation as a research-intensive institution, the PRSA program serves as both a celebration of current excellence and an inspiration for future achievement. Winners will be announced in mid-November, adding new names to the distinguished list of faculty who have shaped the university’s academic landscape.
“The Provost’s Research and Scholarship Award honors faculty who embody NSU’s mission of academic excellence,” notes Ronald Chenail, NSU executive vice president, provost, and chief academic officer. “These scholars don’t just conduct research—they create knowledge that matters, both within their disciplines and beyond our campus walls.”
For more information about nomination procedures and detailed submission guidelines, please visit the PRSA program website.
Additional inquiries can be directed to Roxana Ross, the assistant vice president for research, at rr877@nova.edu. The complete list of previous recipients and information about their research contributions can be found on the university’s academic affairs website.
