Two biology, geology and environmental science faculty members were recognized for outstanding research in aquatic ecosystems.
Assistant Professor Rich Walker received the 2025 Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from Oak Ridge Associated Universities. His research explores how cicada emergences affect stream ecosystems by delivering massive nutrient pulses that influence fish behavior and freshwater ecology.
UC Foundation Associate Professor Francesca Leasi learned a new species of deep-sea meiofauna had been named after her: Musellifer leasiae, which is found in sediments off Antarctica. The species is the third named in her honor, recognizing her contributions to invertebrate biology.
Yelamarthi Named Engineering and Computer Science Dean
Kumar Yelamarthi became dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science on July 1. He came to UTC from Tennessee Tech University, where he served as associate dean of academic affairs in the College of Engineering.
UTC Provost Jerold Hale cited Yelamarthi’s strong record in securing research funding, expanding academic programs and building collaborative partnerships as key strengths that align with UTC’s research growth goals.
“UTC’s deep integration with the Chattanooga community was unlike anything I’ve seen before,” Yelamarthi says. “I’m excited to join this dynamic environment.”
Grant Aids Behavioral Health Workforce
UTC is the recipient of a $2.4 million federal grant to bolster the pipeline of highly trained behavioral health professionals serving children, adolescents and young adults in underserved areas of Southeast Tennessee. The four-year award provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration supports UTC’s newly launched B-HIP initiative—an acronym for the project titled Behavioral Healthcare through InterProfessional Training. Led by a collaborative faculty team from the UTC College of Health, Education and Professional Studies, B-HIP will engage students from UTC’s social work, clinical counseling, school counseling and school psychology graduate programs in hands-on, interprofessional learning experiences.
UTC Social Media Wins Gold
The Division of Communications and Marketing earned a gold award in the 2025 Circle of Excellence competition from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
The CASE award recognized the social media campaign celebrating student and Olympic gold medalist Olivia Reeves (Chattanooga ’24). Social Media Director Laura Bond (Chattanooga ’07, ’10) and Social Media Specialist Kaylah Santos (Chattanooga ’21) documented Reeves’ gold medal win in weightlifting at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the subsequent celebrations on campus and in the community.
The campaign included an Instagram takeover, a behind-the-scenes reel from Paris, live updates from Reeves’ homecoming events and branded posts. A collaboration with NBC Olympics attracted 1.3 million viewers, and a viral moment with rapper Snoop Dogg extended the campaign’s national visibility. The campaign reached 406,400 unique users on Instagram and Facebook, generated more than 211,600 impressions and totaled more than 1.6 million views on Instagram Reels.
