Habay Named SU's 2018 Outstanding Research Mentor

SALISBURY, MD---Dr. Stephen Habay of the Chemistry Department has earned Salisbury University’s 2018 Outstanding Research Mentor Award.

Presented at SU’s 17th annual Student Research Conference (SUSRC), the honor celebrates faculty who are excellent supervisors of student research or creative work.

Habay was nominated by numerous students who applauded him as “a prime example of what a great mentor looks like.”  They called him “a phenomenal teacher” who “goes above and beyond” and “cares about his students and their success.”  They said he often “manages multiple students at a time in the lab,” and his dedication has provided them with “the confidence to work independently.”

One said:  “Dr. Habay mentors in a way which maximizes both education and growth as a student research,” adding that he is hands-on when questions arise, yet allows students to be creative in their respective projects.  

Another declared: “I can say with 100 percent confidence that joining his research group was the best decision I have made throughout my college career.”

“Dr. Habay is a fantastic researcher and student research mentor! We are very fortunate to have him at SU,” said Dr. Clifton Griffin, the campus’ dean of graduate studies and research. 

Since arriving at SU in 2008, Habay has mentored over 30 student research projects. This includes six funded by the University’s Guerrieri Summer Research Fellowships, and nine federally funded through the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health (NIH). Habay has published two research articles with undergraduate co-authors, and his students have earned honors from the American Chemical Society, as well as travel grants. Ten of his students have presented professionally at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, National Organic Chemistry Symposium, Capital Science Conference and Interscholastic Student Chemists Competition, among other regional events. Nearly all of his research mentees have gone on to graduate school or launched careers in their field in the public and private sectors.

Habay earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and completed postdoctoral work at the University of California, Irvine. In 2015, he earned a nearly $300,000 Academic Research Enhancement Award from NIH to expand undergraduate lab opportunities and enhance equipment at SU. In 2017, he earned the University System of Maryland’s highest faculty accolade:  the Regents’ Award for Excellence in Teaching. He also serves on the advisory board for SU’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity.  

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.