PHILIPPI, W.Va.—February 6, 2020—Dr. Yi Charlie Chen, a professor of biology at Alderson Broaddus University’s College of Health, Science, Technology & Mathematics, is one of five finalists for the Faculty Merit Foundation of West Virginia Professor of the Year award.
“We are thrilled and not at all surprised that Dr. Charlie Chen has been named a finalist for the 2019 West Virginia Professor of the Year award,” said Dr. Joan Propst, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Dr. Chen’s passion for teaching and dedication to helping students achieve their potential made Chen the obvious choice.”
Dr. Charlie Chen received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Zhejiang University in China. He later earned his second Master of Science degree and a doctoral degree from Washington State University. Before coming to AB, Dr. Chen worked as a postdoctoral fellow at USDA and Oklahoma State University.
Throughout his two decades as an educator at AB, Dr. Chen has set his focus on engaging students in multiple areas, including microbiology, genetics, evolution, research methods, parasitology, immunology, cell biology, and conservation biology.
“I feel blessed and honored to be chosen as a finalist for the Professor of the Year Award,” said Dr. Chen. “The recognition motivates me to continue my efforts as an educator in service to our students. Our faculty and staff work so hard, and this is as much their recognition as it is mine.”
Aside from his regular teaching duties, Dr. Chen has published more than 70 academic papers and chapters in a wide range of scientific journals and books. He has received several significant grants totaling more than one million dollars from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and WV-INBRE, National Science Foundation (NSF), and WV-EPSCoR, Washington State Fruit Tree Commission, and USDA for scientific research.
Interviews with the five candidates will be held on February 18. The finalists will be honored at an April 7 reception and banquet in Charleston, where the 2019 Professor of the Year will be announced.
About Alderson Broaddus University
Alderson Broaddus (AB) University is a private, four-year institution of higher education located on a historic hilltop in Barbour County in Philippi, West Virginia. Since its founding in 1871, AB has been a leader and innovator in higher education, with accolades in the health and natural sciences.
About Faculty Merit Foundation
The Faculty Merit Foundation was created in 1984 to provide a means to recognize and reward innovation and creativity among the faculties of West Virginia’s public and private colleges and universities. Through the Professor of the Year program, the outstanding achievements of those individuals are brought to the attention of the general public. A $10,000 cash award is given to the candidate selected as Professor of the Year, with smaller awards for the other finalists.