Three NDSU faculty have been named finalists for the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Lectureship.
Finalists include:
• Robert Brueggeman, associate professor of plant pathology and Charles J. Mode Endowed Professor of Genomics Research
• Birgit Pruess, professor of microbiological sciences
• Clay Routledge, professor of psychology
The honor recognizes faculty whose outstanding, high impact research, scholarship, or creative activity consistently supports NDSU'S top tier research status and who have a proven ability to effectively present their research to a broad community.
Robert Brueggeman
Brueggeman was nominated by Jack Rasmussen, professor and department head of plant pathology, who praised Brueggeman’s internationally-known research on barley diseases. “His work on stem rust, an important barley-fungal pathogen disease model system, is advancing our understanding of molecular aspects of mycology, plant biology and plant pathology at a rapid rate,” Rasmussen said, noting Brueggeman has written 53 refereed papers and secured more than $3 million in research grants.
“Dr. Brueggeman is friendly, curious, helpful and approachable,” Rasmussen said. “These traits make Dr. Brueggeman an excellent collaborator.”
Brueggeman joined the NDSU faculty in 2010. He earned his bachelor’s degree in genetics and cell biology and master’s and doctoral degrees in crop sciences at Washington State University, Pullman. He received the NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources Larson/Yaggie Excellence in Research Award in 2016.
Birgit Pruess
Pruess was nominated by John McEvoy, professor and head of microbiological sciences. He said much of Pruess’ outstanding 30-year career has focused on understanding how bacteria function in various environments, with particular interest in E. coli.
McEvoy said Pruess is using her knowledge to develop innovative treatments to prevent infectious diseases. “Furthermore, Dr. Pruess has done a remarkable job explaining the beauty of bacterial behavior and function to a broad audience through a variety of media, including art,” he said.
Pruess joined the NDSU faculty in 2004. She earned her diploma in biology at Ruhr-Universitat Bochum and Max-Planck Institut Dortmund and doctorate at Institut fur Physiologische Chemie, Ruhr-Universitat Bochum Germany. She was recognized with the College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources Larson/Yaggie Excellence in Research Award in 2006 and the college’s William J. and Angelyn A. Austin Advising Award in 2010.
Clay Routledge
Routledge was nominated by faculty colleagues Verlin Hinsz, Michael Robinson, Kathryn Gordon and Benjamin Balas. They described Routledge as “one of the leading scholars in the field of existential psychology – the study of how the awareness of self and death and questions about meaning in life influence people’s mental health, personal ambitions, social relations and cultural beliefs.”
Routledge has written nearly 100 academic articles or book chapters and two books, and co-written two academic handbooks. His research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, John Templeton Foundation and Society for the Scientific Study of Religion.
“Not surprisingly, Dr. Routledge’s research has been regularly featured in diverse media outlets such as the New York Times, The New Yorker, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, BBC News, CBS News, CBC News, CNN, Men’s Health, Vox, the Huffington Post, How Stuff Works, the Guardian, Cosmopolitan and Variety,” they said. “Dr. Routledge is not only a top scholar in the field of psychology, but he is quickly becoming a prominent public intellectual.”
Routledge joined NDSU in 2007. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Missouri Southern State University and his master’s degree and doctorate at the University of Missouri – Columbia.
Each finalist will have a short presentation and interview before the Faculty Awards and Recognition Committee, which will determine the award recipient. The recipient will be announced at a later date. The honoree receives a $2,500 award, while up to two finalists receive $500.
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