Dr. Shainaz Landge, Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry and Director of Vertically Integrated Projects Program at Georgia Southern University, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Council on Undergraduate Research’s (CUR) Silvia Ronco Innovative Mentor Award. This award, established in February 2022 by a gift from Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA), is in honor of CUR’s past president and current RCSA Senior Program Director, Silvia Ronco. The Silvia Ronco Innovative Mentor Award recognizes a tenure-track faculty member within ten years of their first faculty appointment who demonstrates success in chemical sciences and whose mentoring practices have supported undergraduate research.
“It is my honor to receive the distinguished Silvia Ronco Innovative Mentor Award,” explains Landge. “This recognition is incredibly meaningful to me, as it acknowledges the importance of nurturing undergraduate scholars and fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation. This award allows me to express my gratitude for the exceptional mentorship I have received throughout my career from advisors, teachers, colleagues, peers, and family members. It also highlights the collaborative spirit of working alongside young minds to shape the future of research and discovery.”
Known for her visionary approach to engaging students in hands-on, inquiry-based learning, Dr. Landge has built a robust and inclusive research program that empowers undergraduates from diverse backgrounds to explore complex scientific questions. Her innovative strategies include developing research-based coursework, securing external funding to support student-driven projects, and fostering a lab environment centered on mentorship, collaboration, and scientific curiosity. Dr. Landge’s students have presented at national conferences, co-authored publications, and gone on to successful graduate and professional programs—testaments to her impact as both a scientist and mentor. Her selection for this prestigious award underscores the vital role of faculty who not only advance research but also inspire the next generation of scientists through inclusive, student-centered mentorship.
Carl Reiber, Ph.D., Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Georgia Southern explained, “We are incredibly proud of Dr. Landge for this major accomplishment. Her dedication to advancing undergraduate research in chemistry and fostering student success in STEM reflects the very best of Georgia Southern’s mission. This national recognition is a testament to her extraordinary impact as a scholar, mentor, and educator.”
Lindsay Currie, CUR’s Executive Officer continued on with the congratulations. “Dr. Shainaz Landge exemplifies the spirit of the Silvia Ronco Innovative Mentor Award through her commitment to inclusive, hands-on undergraduate research and her creative approaches to student mentorship. Her dedication to empowering students as scholars and problem-solvers is truly inspiring, and we are thrilled to recognize her national impact on the undergraduate research community.”
Landge will be recognized at CUR’s upcoming Award Celebration on June 10, 2025. Find out more details here.
Founded in 1978, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) focuses on providing high-quality and collaborative undergraduate research, scholarly, and creative activity. Among the many activities and networking opportunities that CUR provides, the organization also offers support for the professional growth of faculty and administrators through expert-designed institutes, conferences, and a wide-range of volunteer positions. The CUR community, made up of nearly 700 institutions and 13,000 individuals, continues to provide a platform for discussion and other resources related to mentoring, connecting, and creating relationships centered around undergraduate research. CUR’s advocacy efforts are also a large portion of its work as they strive to strengthen support for undergraduate research. Its continued growth in connections with representatives, private foundations, government agencies, and campuses world-wide provides value to its members and gives voice to undergraduate research. CUR is committed to inclusivity and diversity in all of its activities and our community.
CUR focuses on giving a voice to undergraduate research with learning through doing. It provides connections to a multitude of campuses and government agencies, all while promoting networking and professional growth to its community.
Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers approximately 155 different degree programs serving more than 27,506 students through 10 colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty, the University is focused on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.
