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University Scholar Award

Learn more about the University Scholars Recognition Program.

Introducing the 2025-2026 University Scholar Award Recipients

Michael Federle

Michael Federle

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
College of Pharmacy

Michael Federle is a Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director of the Center for Biomolecular Sciences. A national leader in microbiology, his groundbreaking research on bacterial quorum sensing has transformed understanding of microbial communication and pathogenesis, leading to new directions for antibiotic development. Federle has earned over $14 million in research funding, holds multiple patents, and is widely recognized for his teaching, mentorship, and service. His leadership in translational research, DEI initiatives, and cross-college collaboration reflects a deep commitment to excellence and innovation at UIC.

Anna Guevarra

Anna Guevarra

Department of Global Asian Studies
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Anna Guevarra is a Professor and Founding Director of Global Asian Studies. Her research is on contemporary labor relations in high tech industries, focusing on domestic labor and care work in transnational circuits of migration, and community histories and resilience in the face of urban restructuring. Prof. Guevarra played an active role in program building, pioneering Global Asian Studies as a relatively new field of research and teaching. She is the author of the award-winning book on the Supermaids program and Filipino overseas migrant workers, Marketing Dreams, Manufacturing Heroes: The Transnational Labor Brokering of Filipino Workers.

Salman Khetani

Salman Khetani

Department of Biomedical Engineering
College of Engineering

Salman Khetani is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Director of the Microfabricated Tissue Models Laboratory. Internationally recognized for his pioneering work in tissue engineering, his research focuses on developing human tissue surrogates for drug toxicity screening, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine. Hisinnovations have led to over 70 publications, multiple patents, and successful commercial translations. A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Khetani has received numerous teaching awards and plays key leadership roles in his department and national organizations, exemplifying excellence in research, education, and service.

Subramanian Sankaranarayanan

Subramanian Sankaranarayanan

Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
College of Engineering

Subramanian Sankaranarayanan is a Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and a world leader in computational materials science. His pioneering research merges physics-based simulations with AI and machine learning to accelerate materials discovery for energy, catalysis, and nanotechnology. With over 210 publications, multiple patents, and $10 million in research funding, he is widely recognized for scientific excellence. At UIC and Argonne National Laboratory, he mentors the next generation of scientists and leads cross-institutional collaborations, exemplifying innovation, impact, and leadership in modern engineering.

Jun Sun

Jun Sun

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
College of Medicine

Jun Sun is a Professor of Medicine whose internationally recognized research explores the intersection of the gut microbiome, vitamin D signaling, and human disease. Her pioneering work has advanced understanding of host-microbiome interactions in
inflammation, infection, ALS, and cancer. With over 250 peer-reviewed publications, multiple patents, and $18 million in competitive funding, Dr. Sun is a leader in mucosal immunology and translational research. A dedicated mentor and institutional leader, she is also the founding director of UIC’s Gnotobiotic Mouse Facility and a Fellow of both the APS and AGA.

Ara Tekian

Ara Tekian

Department of Medical Education
College of Medicine

Ara Tekian is a Professor of Medical Education and Associate Dean for International Education in the UIC College of Medicine. A global leader in health professions education, he pioneered simulation-based assessments and workplace-based evaluations to improve physician training and performance. His extensive research, spanning more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and international teaching across 45 countries, has shaped educational policy and accreditation standards. Widely recognized for his impact, including the ASME Gold Medal and AERA Distinguished Career Award, Dr. Tekian continues to advance innovation, mentorship, and scholarship in medical education worldwide.

Past University Scholar Recipients