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Chico State

Chico State’s Teacher-Scholar Rock Stars Receive Professional Achievement Honors

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Professor Monica So looks at a display of faculty publications during Inspired '17, the University's inaugural celebration of publication achievements of faculty, staff, and personnel.
Photos by Jason Halley / University Photographer

Six Chico State professors have been selected to receive the University’s Professional Achievement Honors, which spotlight faculty members who have exemplified the teacher-scholar model during the past three years.

The award winners “compete and succeed, nationally and internationally, and they bring so much value and positive light to our University through their programs,” said Kevin Kelley, interim associate vice president of the University Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. “Chico State’s excellence is due in significant part to these activities that touch virtually every sector of our campus and community.”

The University’s Faculty Recognition and Support Committee selected this year’s honorees, who hail from across campus.

Recipients were recognized on April 20 during Inspired ’17: A Celebration of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity, a ceremony held at Meriam Library.

The Professional Achievement Honors recipients are:

Eric Bartelink, Department of Anthropology

CSU, Chico anthropology professor Eric Bartelink.Eric Bartelink serves as president of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, and is the youngest board-certified anthropologist to serve as president in the organization’s history. In 2014, he received a grant from the Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences for his proposal titled, “Application of Stable Isotope Forensics to the Identification of Unidentified Border Crossers from the Texas-Mexico Border.” During the past two years, he has coauthored three books and published eight peer-reviewed journal articles, several non-peer-reviewed publications, and dozens of presentations. He also received the 2016 Research Impact Award through the University Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Bartelink joined the University in 2006.


Brian Brazeal, Department of Anthropology
Brian Brazeal, associate professor of anthropology, directs the Advanced Laboratory for Visual Anthropology at Chico State.

Brian Brazeal is a pioneer in his field. He founded and currently directs the Advanced Laboratory for Visual Anthropology, the first facility in the world to incorporate state-of-the-art digital cinema technology into anthropological research. This cutting-edge technology allows Brazeal and his students to communicate the results of that research to broad audiences through television broadcasts. During the past three years, Brazeal has published five journal articles, directed one film, and produced three other films, while still engaging in non-peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. He explores new territory in cultural anthropology with a particular expertise in the international gem trade. Brazeal produced The Impact of the Frolic, a student-driven film about an unexpected archaeological find in California in the 1980s, which won an Emmy Award in 2015. He joined the University in 2007.

DingXin Cheng, Department of Civil Engineering

DingXin Cheng, professor of civil engineering.

DingXin Cheng, who joined the University in 2006, has been the primary investigator or coprincipal investigator on grant projects totaling more than $2 million. Through his active research, he has established a national and international reputation in the areas of pavement preservation and pavement materials. He has authored or coauthored more than 100 technical reports, conference papers, and journal articles. Currently, Cheng is writing a textbook to compile his knowledge and research experience, and apply it to the practice of transportation engineering. He previously won the Outstanding Research Mentor Award in 2013 and the Outstanding Project Director Award in 2011.

Patrick Doyle, College of Agriculture

Patrick Doyle (right, pictured with Kevin Kelley, interim associate vice president of the University Office of Research and Sponsored Programs), has served as the primary or coprimary investigator for grants worth more than $915,000. He has published one textbook, two refereed journal articles, and more than 16 abstracts, technical reports, and proceedings. Doyle also brings his research into the classroom, recruiting and supporting undergraduate research opportunities. He is cocoach of the student team that took first place in the American Society of Animal Science Western Section Academic Quadrathlon in April. He joined the University in 2001.

Michelle Givertz, Department of Communication Arts and Sciences

Michelle Givertz, a professor in the Department of Communications Arts & Sciences, holding her Professional Achievement Honors award and stands next to Kevin Kelley, interim associate vice president of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.Michelle Givertz (right), has developed a timely and topical line of research that explores the impact of developmentally inappropriate parenting practices on young adults. During the past three years, she has published seven coauthored articles in communication and psychology journals. She has also coauthored a book chapter and an encyclopedia entry. The Los Angeles Times and Psychology Today have both featured essays on her research. Without grant support or release time, Givertz has brought her research products and processes to the classroom. She joined the University in 2007.

Gregory Watkins, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering and Sustainable Manufacturing

Gregory Watkins (right) is presented with the Professional Achievement Honor award by Kevin Kelley, interim associate vice president of the University's Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.Gregory Watkins’ (right) research interests span computer-based simulation tools and their application to complex engineering problems. He also has studied and published on the pedagogy of teaching these tools at the undergraduate level. Watkins, who joined the University in 2007, has presented at numerous conferences and has published in many engineering journals, including the Computers in Education Journal and the International Journal of Engineering Education. He has developed a strong relationship with many industrial partners that provide funding and support for the Capstone Design Program, which provides senior-level engineering students with the opportunity to design, build, and test solutions to real-world problems, and also creates the potential for internships and full-time employment after graduation.