LSU College of Science Honors 2025 Hall of Distinction Honorees
March 27, 2025
BATON ROUGE – The LSU College of Science is pleased to announce our 2025 inductees into the Hall of Distinction, honoring their exceptional contributions to scientific leadership.
For over 20 years, the College has recognized individuals who demonstrate excellence
and a strong commitment to advancing science. This esteemed recognition highlights
those who have profoundly impacted our College, University, and the wider STEM community.
On Friday, March 28, the LSU College of Science will welcome three distinguished individuals
into the 2025 Hall of Distinction.
2025 Hall of Distinction Honorees
John Wefel, PhD - Professor Emeritus, Physics & Astronomy
Dr. John Wefel is a distinguished physicist whose career has spanned over five decades,
shaping the fields of high-energy astrophysics and space physics while leaving a lasting
impact on space science education and research infrastructure.
Dr. Wefel earned his Ph.D. in 1971 from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He subsequently held positions as a NAS/NRC Resident Research Associate (1971-1973), a Research Physicist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (1973-1975), and a Robert R. McCormick Fellow (1975-1977) and Senior Research Associate (1977-1982) at the University of Chicago. In 1982, he joined the faculty at Louisiana State University (LSU) as an assistant professor, earning promotion to full professor in 1989.
A leader in advancing space science in Louisiana, Dr. Wefel played a pivotal role in several key initiatives. He served as LSU’s representative to the University Space Research Association (1991-2015) and was the founding director of the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium (LaSPACE) from its establishment in 1991 until 2015. He also directed the Louisiana NASA EPSCoR program (1994-2015) and co-directed the International School of Cosmic Ray Astrophysics (ISCRA) from 1995 to 2015. His dedication to scientific advancement and education earned him the distinction of Fellow of the American Physical Society in 2004.
Dr. Wefel’s research focused on high-energy cosmic rays, utilizing innovative instruments aboard high-altitude balloons and orbital satellites to explore the origins and interactions of energetic particle radiation. His contributions include leadership in groundbreaking experiments such as the Superconducting Magnet Instrument for Light Isotopes (SMILI), the Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter (ATIC), and the CALorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET) aboard the International Space Station.
The ATIC experiment, which conducted long-duration balloon flights over Antarctica, led to a 2008 Nature publication suggesting a possible signal of dark matter. CALET, a critical ongoing cosmic ray observatory, has been operational since 2015, with its NASA funding recently extended through 2029.
Beyond research, Dr. Wefel has been instrumental in fostering the next generation of scientists and engineers. Under his leadership, LaSPACE has supported over 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students in research, trained more than 2,000 K-12 educators, and engaged over 2,300 students in hands-on ballooning programs designed to promote STEM careers. He was a major influence on the national Space Grant program, serving as Chair of the National Council of Space Grant Directors (2000-2002) and co-founding the National Space Grant Alliance to advocate for continued funding and support.
As the inaugural director of Louisiana’s NASA EPSCoR program, Dr. Wefel helped secure
more than $22 million in funding for aerospace-related research projects, strengthening
collaborations between Louisiana’s research institutions and NASA. His commitment
to international education is evident in his long-standing role with ISCRA, where
he continues to mentor young scientists in cosmic ray astrophysics.
Dr. Wefel retired from LSU in 2013 but remains active as Professor Emeritus, contributing
to research programs based on the International Space Station. His work has been continuously
funded by NASA, NSF, DOE, ONR, the Air Force, and the Louisiana Board of Regents for
over 30 years. With more than 150 scientific journal publications, 240 conference
papers, and leadership in global scientific collaborations, Dr. Wefel has cemented
LSU’s reputation as a leader in high-energy astrophysics. His legacy extends far beyond
his research, encompassing a profound dedication to education, mentorship, and the
advancement of space science worldwide.
Isiah Warner, PhD - Boyd Professor Emeritus, Chemistry
LSU Boyd Professor Isiah Warner is a distinguished chemist, educator, and mentor with nearly five decades of academic experience. His career spans Texas A&M University, Emory University, and Louisiana State University, where he has served for nearly 30 years. A leading researcher in analytical and materials chemistry, Warner has authored approximately 380 refereed publications and pioneered advancements in fluorescence spectroscopy, measurement science, and materials chemistry. His innovative work has led to over 10 patents and the development of GUMBOS (Group of Uniform Materials Based on Organic Salts), with applications in nanotechnology, environmental chemistry, and drug development.
Warner’s groundbreaking contributions have earned him numerous prestigious accolades, including the Presidential Young Investigator Award from President Reagan, the ACS Award in Analytical Chemistry, and election as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the National Academy of Inventors. His research in multidimensional fluorescence measurements has revolutionized the field, influencing commercial instrumentation used worldwide.
A dedicated educator and mentor, Warner has been widely recognized for his contributions to STEM education and diversity initiatives. His accolades include the 1997 Presidential Award for Excellence in STEM Mentoring, the 2000 Carnegie/CASE Louisiana Professor of the Year, the 2002 HHMI Professor designation, the 2003 ACS Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences, the 2016 SEC Professor of the Year, and the 2021 ACS J. Calvin Giddings Award for Excellence in Education.
Born and raised in segregated Bunkie, Louisiana, Warner overcame significant barriers to become one of the most influential chemistry and STEM education figures. As Chair of LSU’s Chemistry Department in the 1990s, he transformed it into the nation’s leading producer of African American Ph.D. graduates in chemistry. He also founded the LSU Office of Strategic Initiatives, securing approximately $50 million in external funding to support STEM education and mentorship for underrepresented students. His leadership has significantly increased minority student graduation rates and their success in prestigious graduate programs nationwide.
Warner has left an enduring legacy through his exceptional contributions to research, education, and mentorship, shaping national efforts to promote accessibility and excellence in science education while inspiring the next generation of scientists.
Dr. Erich Sturgis - Alumnus, Executive Committee and LSU Foundation National Board member
Dr. Erich Sturgis is a distinguished alumnus of the LSU College of Science and a renowned
figure in surgical oncology. He currently serves as Professor and Deputy Chair with
tenure in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Baylor College of
Medicine, where he also holds the Brown Foundation Endowed Chair and serves as Vice
Chair of Clinical Affairs and Head, Neck, and Thyroid Multidisciplinary Program Director.
His career spans decades of excellence in patient care, research, and education, making
significant contributions to cancer treatment, particularly in head, neck, and thyroid
cancers.
Dr. Sturgis earned his B.S. in Biochemistry from LSU in 1985 and his M.D. from Georgetown University in 1990, followed by extensive surgical training, including an internship at Tulane, a research fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, and specialized fellowships in oncologic surgery and molecular epidemiology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He also obtained an M.P.H. from UT Health Science Center in 2004.
During his 23-year tenure at MD Anderson, he performed over 4,000 surgeries for complex head, neck, and thyroid cancers while advancing the understanding of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer. His research has identified key genetic predispositions, such as p53 variations, and emphasized the importance of HPV vaccination in cancer prevention.
A recognized leader in his field, he has received prestigious honors, including the ASCO Young Investigator Award and the National Cancer Institute's Outstanding Investigator Award. With over 340 peer-reviewed publications, 60 invited reviews and book chapters, and more than 230 invited lectures, his contributions to cancer research, prevention, mentorship, and education have been profound.
Dr. Sturgis remains deeply committed to LSU and its students. As an advocate for the College of Science’s Prehealth Advising Support and Education (PHASE) Program, he has played a vital role in mentoring premedical students. He was instrumental in securing LSU students' participation in the MD Anderson Summer Externship Program, providing them with invaluable clinical experience. Between 2016 and 2020, 24 LSU students benefited from this initiative, many of whom have gone on to medical and doctoral programs. He frequently visits campus to share career insights and provide mentorship, further demonstrating his dedication to the next generation of healthcare professionals.
The Sturgis family’s legacy at LSU is longstanding. His grandfather, Madison B. Sturgis, was a professor of agronomy, and Sturgis Hall on campus bears his name. Continuing this tradition of giving back, Dr. Sturgis and his wife, Shannan, have been dedicated members of the College of Science Dean’s Circle since 2015. He served as Chair of the College of Science Executive Committee from 2019 to 2022 and has been instrumental in advancing the college’s mission. He also spearheaded the establishment of a $500,000 endowed graduate scholarship in Chemistry and Biochemistry, honoring his grandmother, Adah Proctor Sturgis, and pioneering women in science.
Dr. Sturgis’ impact on the scientific and medical communities, along with his enduring contributions to education and mentorship, underscores his profound legacy as an LSU College of Science alumnus.