The prestigious Harry Reid Silver State Research Award was created in 2001 to honor the late Nevada Senator Harry Reid and to recognize faculty who have performed research that is both highly regarded and responsive to the needs of the community and state. The award carries a $10,000 stipend.
The award is open to full-time tenured faculty members who are engaged in significant research that meets one or more of the following criteria:
- Directly and positively affects the economic growth and development of Nevada;
-
Addresses a relevant social need in the community and/or region;
- Demonstrably advances significant scholarship in an academic field of knowledge.
This award is presented by the President at the annual Faculty Recognition Ceremony held in the Spring.
The call for nominations is announced in the winter each year. For more information, contact Althea Sheets, Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activities Development Manager facultyawards@unlv.edu, 702-895-1880.
Call for Nominations and Application Process List of Past Recipients
2023 Harry Reid Silver State Research Award Recipient
Paul Oh, Ph.D.
Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering
Dr. Oh is the founder and director of the Drones and Autonomous Systems Lab at UNLV. His work over the past 25 years spans the field of air, ground, marine and space robotics. Dr. Oh’s academic contributions include more than 150 publications and 3 books and have helped the Governor's Office of Economic Development advance the drone industry in Nevada. His work has also impacted the community, providing $10,000 stipends to over 30 K-12 teachers in CCSD for STEM curricula. Dr. Oh had the pleasure of talking with former Senator Reid about robotics and a Roboland notion for Las Vegas. Little did he know that years later this would become the Black Fire Innovation at the Harry Reid Research and Technology Park.
2022 Harry Reid Silver State Research Award Recipient
Seyhmus Baloglu
Harrah College of Hospitality Management
Professor Baloglu is a professor and department chair of Hospitality Management at the Harrah College of Hospitality Management. He has published more than 110 peer-reviewed papers primarily on customer and casino loyalty, image development and branding, and sustainability that have been cited more than 22,000 times across multiple fields and disciplines. Professor Baloglu has also co-authored 3 books/textbooks on strategic marketing in hospitality and tourism, and is a recipient of numerous prestigious research, as well as teaching awards, in hospitality and tourism. He is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar who has consistently been named one of the significant contributors to hospitality and tourism literature. Professor Baloglu has received grants and contracts on consumer behavior, predictive modeling via data mining, image and branding, and sustainability practices that are funded by hotels, airports, gaming corporations, destinations, and supply chain organizations His research has provided implications for enhancing destination image and branding, improving visitors experiences, and cultivating brand engagement and loyalty.
2021 Harry Reid Silver State Research Award Recipient
Jacimaria R. Batista
Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction
Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering
Professor Batista has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and conference proceedings on technologies to remove contaminants from waters. Her research has been funded by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation, The US EPA, the National Science Foundation, Clark County Water Reclamation District, the City of Las Vegas, the Nevada Department of Health Services, the Clark County Flood District, US DOE, The City of Las Vegas, and the private water industry. Dr. Batista is a student-focused instructor and a recipient of 11 mentoring and teaching awards. She has chaired and funded the graduate work of over 60 Ph.D. and master students, many of whom are underrepresented in engineering.