Santiago Schnell, D.Phil., the William K. Warren Foundation Dean of the College of Science, has announced several faculty awards for the 2024–2025 academic year.

Father James L. Shilts, C.S.C./Doris and Gene Leonard Teaching Award

This award, bestowed annually on a faculty member in the College of Science, is named in honor of Father James Shilts, C.S.C., who taught in the Department of Physics from 1961 until his death in 1982, and was endowed in 1984 by Dr. Eugene T. Leonard III in memory of his parents Dr. Eugene and Doris Leonard. Dr. Leonard III was a member of the Science Advisory Council from 1976 until 1991. The award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated sustained excellence in teaching.

The 2025 recipient is: Nancy Michael, Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences

Nancy Michael, the Rev. John A. Zahm, C.S.C. Teaching Professor, is honored for her extraordinary contributions to undergraduate education, her inspirational teaching, and her profound impact on the Neuroscience and Behavior (NSBH) program at Notre Dame. Known for her kind, caring, and intellectually rigorous approach, Michael has taught an exceptionally wide range of courses spanning biology, neuroscience, social concerns, and theology — often carrying a teaching load of 2–4 courses per semester. Her dedication to teaching excellence is reflected in consistently outstanding student evaluations and in her ability to engage students at all levels, from first-year seminars to advanced laboratory courses.

Michael has played a central role in shaping the NSBH curriculum and has been instrumental in developing core courses that serve nearly 600 students across two colleges. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom through her work on university-wide curriculum committees, including the redesign of the Moreau First-Year Experience, which reaches all undergraduates. She also contributes to hiring and mentoring teaching postdocs and supports interdisciplinary growth in neuroscience education.

Beyond the University, Michael co-founded Self-Healing Communities of Greater Michiana and actively involves students in outreach through partnerships with local organizations focused on trauma and brain health. Her work exemplifies integrative, values-based education. For her inspiring teaching, leadership, and service, Michael is a truly deserving recipient of the James L. Shilts, C.S.C./Doris and Eugene Leonard Teaching Award.

The College of Science Research Award

Each year, the College of Science aims to recognize an outstanding investigator who has made substantial recent contributions to her or his field. This award highlights a highly-productive faculty member with a steep upward trajectory in research and widening national and international impact.

The 2025 recipient is: Claudiu Raicu, PhD, Department of Mathematics

Professor Claudiu Raicu joined the University of Notre Dame in 2014. He earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley in 2010, and held prestigious postdoctoral positions at Princeton University and the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute (SLMath, formerly MSRI) prior to his appointment at Notre Dame. He was promoted to associate professor in 2017 and to professor in 2021.

Raicu is a leader in the fields of commutative algebra and algebraic geometry, and in their overlap. He has produced high-caliber results, including critical breakthroughs in these fields, as evidenced by the publication of his papers in top-tier journals. He has been a prolific producer of high-quality research, publishing 21 works since 2020. Further evidence of his research excellence is supported by his continuous NSF support, a Sloan Research Fellowship in 2016, and his rapid advancement through the faculty ranks here at Notre Dame. In 2024, he was awarded the Lucian Bădescu Prize, which is awarded to a young mathematician whose scientific activity is connected to the Simion Stoilow Institute of Mathematics in Bucharest. He has co-written papers with other leaders of the fields and has impacted the new generation of mathematicians by mentoring and co-authoring papers with young researchers. Moreover, Raicu has been an active and productive contributor to the professional community through his conference and workshop organization, and to the department through his work with graduate students, his efforts to recruit faculty, and his excellent teaching. Overall, Raicu is richly deserving of the College of Science Research Award.

The College of Science Outstanding Research Service Award

The College of Science aims to recognize an outstanding scientist who has made a difference supporting scientific research in the college. This award highlights a research faculty or staff member who has had a significant impact on the research of others by providing technical assistance, consulting, training, or other guidance.

The 2025 recipient is: Xinyu Liu, PhD, Department of Physics & Astronomy

Liu, a research professor, earned his Ph.D. in 2002 and completed his postdoctoral fellowship here at Notre Dame. He then joined the faculty in 2004 as an assistant research professor. He was promoted to research professor in 2024. Liu is a condensed matter physicist focused on the fabrication of nanostructures by Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE), the design and studies of low-dimensional semiconductor structures, such as quantum wells, superlattices, and quantum dots for various applications; and the investigation of spin phenomena in semiconductors. Liu has a pivotal role in operating and maintaining the MBE facility and is responsible for the Helium Recovery and Liquefaction Facility, serving both Stepan Chemistry Hall and Nieuwland Science Hall. His work has been pivotal in fabricating and characterizing the materials mentioned above for Notre Dame faculty. He has built and maintained both domestic and international collaborations with more than 50 research groups. These collaborators are attracted by the high quality of samples produced by Liu, who is often among the few (or only) with the technical capabilities to produce certain materials. Through these collaborations, he has contributed greatly to the visibility and impact that Notre Dame has in condensed matter physics, and this makes Liu an ideal recipient of this award.

Sister Kathleen Cannon Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising

This award is named in honor of Sister Kathleen Cannon, OP, D.Min., a long-time advisor for the Science collegiate sequence majors, and a tireless advocate for students from all backgrounds. Sister Kathleen served as an associate dean of the college of science from 1998 to 2022 and was associate provost of the university from 1990 to 1997.

The 2025 recipient is: Alan Huebner, PhD, Department of Applied & Computational Mathematics & Statistics

Alan Huebner, Teaching Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) has been a dedicated member of the Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics (ACMS) for 14 years and has served as the DUS in that department for the past nine years. He has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the intellectual development and scholarly engagement of undergraduates as well as providing effective academic and career advising and mentoring. The impact of his skilled advising work is immense. Huebner serves as the primary advisor for 140 ACMS majors as well as another 184 supplemental majors. He has developed novel courses to support students in these ACMS majors and also spearheaded the development of the ACMS Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Professor Huebner also guides undergraduates in applied sports analytics research as the co-director for the Mastrovich Gift for Sports Science. Student nominees commented on his steady hand in guiding them through challenging coursework, while giving sage career advice. One recent advisee commented: “He has walked me through my fears and doubts throughout my three years, and has been my go-to for all my academic questions.” For his strong commitment to the intellectual development and scholarly engagement of undergraduate students, combined with providing effective academic and career advising and mentoring, the College of Science awards Alan Huebner with the 2025 Sister Kathleen Cannon Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising.

Originally published by Samantha Keller at science.nd.edu on May 21, 2025.