UT Institute of Agriculture Presents Top Faculty and Staff Awards for 2023
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture recognized some of its top faculty, staff, researchers and Extension experts at UTIA’s annual awards and promotions luncheon on the UTIA campus in Knoxville on August 15, 2023. Many of the awards are gifts made possible by faculty, alumni and friends of the Institute.
UT Institute of Agriculture Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President Keith Carver hosted the award winners and celebrated their work. “I’m excited to celebrate the amazing work of our UTIA faculty and staff,” says Carver. “These awards are well-deserved and represent our employees’ steadfast dedication to their work, the Institute and the people of Tennessee. The impact of their accomplishments and passion will be felt for generations to come.”
Emma Willcox, professor in the School of Natural Resources, is a recipient of the J.E. Moss Achievement Award. Established in memory of J.E. and Ann Moss, this award recognizes excellent achievement in teaching, research, and Extension for the Institute of Agriculture. Awards are provided each year for each of the four units of the Institute of Agriculture. They are selected by a committee including the senior vice president and senior vice chancellor and the four deans of the Institute. Darcy Smith from AgResearch, Charley Martinez from the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, and Brian Whitlock from the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences also received the award.
“I am honored to be receiving the J.E. Moss Achievement Award,” says Willcox. “I am extremely fortunate to work with many wonderful students who make my job so enjoyable and rewarding.”
Willcox has been at UTIA for 11 years. Her research focus is examining how mammals respond to anthropogenic stressors and the threats that emerging infectious diseases pose to mammal populations. Willcox also teaches a variety of courses at UTIA and enjoys seeing her students graduate and go on to be highly successful wildlife and fisheries professionals.
Willcox earned a doctorate in wildlife ecology and conservation from the University of Florida, a master’s degree in conservation biology from the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology at the University of Kent and a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Cardiff University. Among her many achievements, she has received the B. Ray Thompson Sr. Award for Outstanding Faculty Performance, the UT Knoxville Chancellor’s Excellence in Advising Award, and the Herbert College of Agriculture Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award.
Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. utia.tennessee.edu.