PRI Celebrates Three Faculty at the 2025 College of Natural Science Awards
The Michigan State University Plant Resilience Institute, or PRI, is proud to highlight the extraordinary achievements of three of its faculty members recognized with awards from the College of Natural Science.
Emily Josephs won the Teacher-Scholar Award, David Lowry received the Postdoctoral Mentoring Award, and Seung Yon “Sue” Rhee won the Research Leadership Award. The awards were presented by Dean Eric Hegg at a ceremony on November 21, 2025.
“Our college succeeds because of the dedication our community brings to their scholarship, teaching, and support of students,” Hegg said. “Tonight, we recognize individuals who elevate NatSci and embody what it means to be part of MSU.”
Emily Josephs – Teacher-Scholar Award
Joining a select group of early-career educators, Emily Josephs, associate professor in the Department of Plant Biology, received a Teacher-Scholar Award for her exceptional devotion to teaching and educational innovation. The award recognizes faculty within their first seven years at MSU who have earned widespread respect for their teaching excellence and scholarly integration.
Since beginning her tenure, Josephs has distinguished herself as an educator who skillfully integrates evolutionary genomics, plant resilience, and computational approaches into engaging and accessible learning experiences. Her approach helps students connect fundamental biological concepts with real-world applications in plant science while fostering interdisciplinary insight and rigorous scientific thinking. Beyond coursework, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to personalized mentoring, including supporting underrepresented groups in STEM – all of which embody the spirit and purpose of the Teacher-Scholar Award.
David Lowry – Postdoctoral Mentoring Award
Reflecting PRI’s culture of mentorship and training excellence, David Lowry, professor in the Department of Plant Biology and associate director of PRI, was presented with the Postdoctoral Mentoring Award. This honor acknowledges faculty who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the professional and personal development of postdoctoral researchers.
Lowry’s mentorship record is characterized by personalized guidance tailored to each postdoc’s career trajectory. He helps trainees shape research plans, secure funding, draft manuscripts, and prepare competitive academic job applications. He also fosters a lab environment that emphasizes mental health, work-life balance, and open communication. Advisor to the PRI Trainee Association, Lowry has supported workshops and community-building efforts that extend beyond his own lab. The success of his mentees, many of whom have gone on to secure competitive faculty positions, fellowships, and leadership roles, speaks to the lasting impact of his mentorship.
Sue Rhee – Research Leadership Award
At the helm of PRI, Sue Rhee, MSU Research Foundation Professor in the Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Plant Biology, and Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, was given the Research Leadership Award. This honor is granted to tenured full professors with a record of internationally recognized leadership and impact in research.
Since assuming directorship in 2023, Rhee has provided transformative leadership – expanding PRI’s research capacity, encouraging scientific collaborations, strengthening administrative and advisory structures, and charting a bold vision for future growth. Through her guidance, the Institute is becoming the world-class research center envisioned by its founders.
A Shared Commitment to Excellence
Together, these three awards reflect the breadth of PRI’s mission: to advance plant resiliency while nurturing the next generation of scientists through teaching, mentorship, and research leadership. With Drs. Josephs, Lowry, and Rhee leading by example, PRI reaffirms its standing as a Center of Excellence.
The full list of awardees can be found on the College of Natural Science website.
