Inclusive excellence fuels our mission to develop adaptive problem-solvers and in a time of incredible transformation, both in thought and practice, we have learned the significance of uplifting and empowering one another.
During Women’s History Month, the Office of Research, Innovation & Impact announced the Women of Impact Awards as an inaugural effort to embrace and empower women, who through their work at our university, are laying the groundwork for a better future.
Faculty and staff nominated more than 400 outstanding women who have contributed to our identity as a world-class research enterprise. Among other criteria, the members of this class were selected by our committee based on their commitment to our mission and values, an application of skills toward discovery and innovation, the enrichment of our community, and the empowerment of others to ensure lasting change.
Say hello, to our first class!

We are delighted and honored to introduce the inaugural class of Women of Impact, comprised of 30 bold and forward thinking leaders in a variety of fields.
Carol Barnes, Regents Professor of Psychology, Neurology, and Neuroscience, Director of Evelyn F McKnight Brain Institute
Jessica Barnes, Assistant Professor in the College of Science
Jennifer Barton, Director of BIO5 Institute
Roberta Diaz Brinton, Director & Regents Professor, Center for Innovation in Brain Sciences
Susan Brown, Department Head & Professor of Management Information Systems
Stacy Butler, Director of Innovation for Justice and Professor of Law
Jennifer Carew, Associate Professor of Medicine
Karletta Chief, Associate Professor & Extension Specialist of Environmental Science, Historian of UArizona Native Faculty Association
Theresa Crimmins, Research Professor of Natural Resources and the Environment in the College of Agriculture & Life Science
Daniella DellaGiustina, Assistant Professor in the College of Science
Cynthia Doane, Attending Veterinarian
Marla Franco, Assistant Vice Provost, Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives
Amelia Gallitano, Professor in the College of Medicine - Phoenix
Elise Gornish, Cooperative Extension Specialist of Natural Resources and the Environment in the College of Agriculture Life Sciences
Erika Hamden, Assistant Professor in the College of Science
Hong Hua, Professor in the Wyant College of Optical Sciences
Hongyue Jin, Assistant Professor of Systems & Industrial Engineering
Amanda Kraus, Assistant Vice President of Campus Life
Meredith Kupinski, Assistant Professor of Optical Sciences
Allison Huff MacPherson, Assistant Professor of Family & Community Medicine
Lalitha Madhavan, Associate Professor of Neurology
Raina Maier, Professor of Environmental Microbiology in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Kim Patten, Assistant Vice President for Research Development
Marcia Rieke, Regents Professor of Astronomy; Member of Steward Observatory
Lee Ryan, Professor & Head of Psychology in the College of Science
Ashley Snider, Associate Professor in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Carol Stewart, Associate Vice President of Tech Parks Arizona
Judith Su, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering & Optics
Valerie Trouet, Professor in the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research in the College of Science
Olesya Zhupanska, Professor of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering
Nominees must be an employee or designated campus colleague from the University of Arizona and operate within a capacity that include a form of research or innovation. The priority deadline for 2022 nominations was March 25. This process has conduced and the selections process has begun. Anyone can submit a nominee, including themselves. Numerous entries of an individual's name do not increase the consideration of that individual, however more information on a nominee could. A nominee of the Impact Award is not entitled to a form of monetary compensation.
Need to find an employee? Look them up using our phonebook.
Women have surpassed new heights within the research enterprise and contribute heavily to our place among the nation's top public research universities with $761M in total research activity in fiscal year 2020, according to data released by the National Science Foundation.
In addition, we acknowledge our purpose as a university, which is to work together in the expansion of human potential, explore new horizons and enrich life for all – with respect to our core values of Inclusion, Determination, and Compassion.
A list of nominee's are shared with a panel of judges that consider a variety of factors, including funding, revenue, impact, inventiveness, mentorship and potential. The 2022 panel consisted of representatives from the following:
- Research, Innovation & Impact
- Tech Parks & Tech Launch
- Office of the Provost & Faculty Affairs
- Government & Community Relations
- Marketing & Communications
Our Commitment To Inclusion
At the University of Arizona, we embed the principles of diversity and equity into Every Wildcat, Every Day – practicing both inclusion and compassion in every interaction from every office, division, and college. We believe in tackling the greatest global challenges of today and tomorrow through action-oriented, community-based inclusive excellence. This campaign is a celebration of all women – cisgender, transgender, and all who identify.
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