ACES professors Shadi Atallah and Andrew Margenot are among 15 Illinois faculty selected for the 2024-25 Emerging Research Leaders Academy by the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute. Designed for mid-career faculty to achieve research success, the program provides vital leadership and team science training to pursue large, multi-PI grants, lead campus research initiatives, enhance their own research programs, and ultimately position Illinois for research excellence.

Atallah is an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics; Margenot is an associate professor in the Department of Crop Sciences.

Applicants are nominated by a dean, department head, or director, and chosen by the Selection Committee. Applicants are evaluated based on their commitment to the program (both anticipated attendance and enthusiasm), future leadership potential, and how their participation will benefit their career as well as campus.

Throughout the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters, the cohort will attend a series of monthly, in-person workshops designed to support the development of strategic leadership and management skills and inspire the application of those skills to research.

The 2024-25 cohort will develop a 5-year action plan for their personal and research growth. On April 16, 2025, the cohort will present their action plans to peers, department heads, and other campus leaders, receiving certificates of completion and recognition as Emerging Research Leadership Scholars during the celebration reception.

ERLA is offered in partnership with the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Center for Social & Behavioral Science, College of Applied Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Grainger College of Engineering, and Office of Proposal Development.

Read more about the program and see the full list of participants from IHSI.