Three ECU faculty receive 2022 Harriot College Dean’s Early Career Award

“I’m truly honored to receive this award. The timing of the award is particularly meaningful and motivating since the last two years have been challenging times for many of us at ECU and beyond,” Asch said. “This helps inspire me to continue to set high standards for myself in pursuing my research as well as continuing to mentor graduate and undergraduate students to the best of my ability.”

Asch began working at ECU in 2017, and her interests in fisheries oceanography allow her to conduct interdisciplinary research, blending ecology, evolution, and cellular and molecular biology.

“I really appreciate that my colleagues in the biology department work to produce a friendly, collaborative atmosphere. I also appreciate the opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations both in the department and Harriot College,” Asch said. “Recently, I have been exploring collaborations with scientists in biology’s Imaging and Genomics Core facilities. These collaborations have allowed me to expand my research in some exciting new directions.”

Dr. Allison Danell, Harriot College dean, said, “Rebecca’s research is proving critical to optimizing practices in commercial fishing and protecting our environment. The way she ensures her scholarly work is applied to and understood by a variety of areas and audiences is truly transformational for our coastal region and beyond.”

Offenbacher, who came to ECU in 2017 following a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley, said, “This award has been bestowed upon truly exceptional junior faculty who have gone above and beyond what is expected of them. To be considered in this group of teacher-scholars is a tremendous honor, and I am humbled by the selection.”

His research interests include explaining the molecular underpinnings of biological catalysts.

“I am especially impressed with the cross-cutting nature of Adam’s scholarly work, approaching scientific questions from a variety of perspectives through collaborations with colleagues across chemistry, physics and the biomedical sciences,” Danell said. “Such interdisciplinary research, especially that which heavily involves student scholars, is truly admirable.”

While at ECU, Offenbacher said he has most enjoyed the people, collaborating with others on research and training students on how to diversify their research experiences and skillsets.

“I have been incredibly fortunate to work alongside outstanding and hardworking individuals both within my department and throughout the college,” Offenbacher said. “I am indebted to my non-tenure-track colleagues who have helped to shape and hone my teaching, and staff, who take on enormous responsibilities to assist with all the behind-the-scenes work necessary for the success of our research program. Finally, and most importantly, my success in scholarly activities could not have been achieved without the passion, dedication and resilience of a multitude of undergraduate and master’s students who exude the qualities that exemplify the reputation of Pirate Nation.”

Schacht, who began working at ECU in 2018 and serves as anthropology’s graduate program director, said, “I am extremely grateful to Dean Danell for her recognition of my contributions to my department and to the college. It is an honor to have been selected, especially given the quality of scholarship among my peers.”

His research interests include the social and ecological determinants of reproductive and health outcomes, questioning sexual stereotypes and generalizations about human behavior. Collaboration with the people he works with at ECU is what Schacht appreciates most about his job.

“Frankly, I love my job. I have a wonderful set of colleagues in the department who make coming to work each day enjoyable. Additionally, support from the college and REDE (Division of Research, Economic Development and Engagement) has fostered my collaborative, interdisciplinary and community-engaged research. I also find considerable fulfilment working with our undergraduate and graduate students as a mentor, research advisor and graduate program director,” he said.

“I am so impressed by the breadth of projects and types of support Ryan has secured to sustain such impactful research that touches both people and places,” Danell said. “That he has balanced fundamental scholarship with the applied, outward-facing work is equally impressive.”

All recipients were recognized at a special reception on April 28 in the new Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building and will be honored at the college’s fall convocation ceremony in August.