Education Spotlight
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Nasri Nesnas, professor of chemistry at Florida Institute of Technology after 22 years on the faculty, has been appointed the Edward H. Karajian Professor. Nesnas conducts cutting-edge research into the use of light-responsive molecules for mapping the brain and new approaches to fighting cancer.
The Edward H. Karajian Endowed Professorship was established in 2017 upon the retirement of emeritus civil engineering professor Edward H. Karajian after 46 years as a dedicated faculty member and administrator at Florida Tech. The endowment was established through donations from Karajian’s family, friends, colleagues and former students.
“It is both humbling and inspiring to have my mark forever on Florida Tech's history,” Karajian told the university when the donation was announced. “I am honored to continue to inspire and challenge the next generation of scholars.”
Nesnas said he is honored to become Florida Tech's second Karajian professor.
“I have always been impressed with Professor Karajian's passion and enthusiasm, particularly the impact he has had on student success and the growth of our school,” he said. “It is humbling to follow in the footsteps of our first recipient, Professor Paul Cosentino, whose tremendous contributions to our students' educational experience have been incredible.”
“We are extremely grateful to Professor Karazhan, the Karazhan family, and all those who have donated to this fund,” Nesnas continued.
Cosentino, like his mentor, Karajian, is a distinguished professor of civil engineering who founded Florida Tech's Department of Civil Engineering in 1978 after founding the university's marine engineering program and mentored every incoming civil engineering student at the university until his retirement more than 40 years later, Cosentino noted.
“Neither Nasri nor I have ever made such an impact,” Cosentino said. “We are both so honored to be called Professor Edward H. Karajian.”
According to Karajian, the purpose of the professorship was to recognize a Florida Tech faculty member who has enhanced students' education through outstanding leadership and mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students and a proven track record of involvement in student activities and projects. It also allows Karajian's family to continue to recognize his contributions to FIT.
The recipient receives an annual salary increase of 5 percent of available funds and is selected by a Faculty Assembly committee made up of colleagues from the School of Science and Engineering. A new Kalajian Professor is appointed every five years to ensure that multiple professors are recognized.
“I personally thank the faculty members who served on the selection committee,” Karajian said recently, “and they have selected two outstanding recipients for the Karajian Professorship.”
Nesnas will serve in the position until June 2029.
A distinguished chemist, Nesnas has received research funding from a variety of government and private agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, NASA, and Intel, and has impacted the lives of many from the classroom and laboratory.
“Over the past 22 years, mentoring thousands of students and working closely with over 100 students through career and research advising has been the most rewarding part of my career,” Nesnas said.
As Nesnas’ selection indicates, the Karazhan Professorship is not limited to engineers. That is by design.
“It was created to include the sciences because I personally recognized that science courses enhanced my undergraduate engineering education,” Karajian said, “and, of course, I would have liked to have included other disciplines, such as humanities and business. But my hope was that this model would be adopted by retiring faculty from other universities, and that one day similar 'professorships' could be found at all Florida Tech colleges.”
It was also important to include a requirement that the award recipient participate in student activities. Karajian certainly understood the value of student involvement in and outside of the classroom. He was integral in founding the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) student chapter and the National Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge Competitions. He also helped Ashok Pandit found the Florida Tech chapter of Chi Epsilon, the civil engineering honor society.
Nesnas is inclusive and supportive of his students, encouraging them to present at conferences and involving them in his research: Recently, he took six undergraduate and graduate students to the American Chemical Society conference in New Orleans, where the students had the opportunity to present their research and learn about the latest research findings from leading experts at top institutions.
“Meeting with some of these researchers has led to new collaborations and opportunities for students to pursue internships and graduate degrees,” Nesnas added.
He has been recognized thus far for his success in his field and in the classroom.
Last year, Nesnas was named Outstanding Chemist by the Orlando Chapter of the American Chemical Society. Criteria for the award include outstanding research, departmental and university leadership, mentoring of colleagues, public outreach, advancing chemistry through publications, and peer recognition. In 2016-17, he also received the Kelly Bruce Clark Professor of Teaching Excellence Award, one of the university's highest honors.
Karazhan said he was pleased to have such worthy laureates as the first two Professors Karazhan and expressed his gratitude to those who supported the fund, which he hopes will continue.
“I am grateful to my family, friends, alumni and colleagues who have donated to the endowment that will fund the Karajian Professorship,” he said. “I hope that donations to the endowment will continue, and I intend to continue giving.”
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