Two MGI professors honored with College of Natural Science awards
Professor Sean Crosson won the Outstanding Faculty Award, and Hannah Distinguished Professor Rich Lenski received the Junior Faculty Mentoring Award.
Two members of MSU’s Department of Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology, or MGI, were recently recognized with awards from the College of Natural Science, or CNS. Professor Sean Crosson won the Outstanding Faculty Award, and Hannah Distinguished Professor Richard Lenski received the Junior Faculty Mentoring Award.
Sean Crosson receives CNS Outstanding Faculty Award
Sean Crosson, the Rudolph Hugh Endowed Chair in MGI, was honored with the CNS Outstanding Faculty Award. This distinction recognizes faculty who demonstrate exceptional achievement in research, teaching, mentoring, and service.
Crosson joined MSU in 2019 after a distinguished career at the University of Chicago, where he rose to the rank of Full Professor and chaired the Committee on Microbiology. At MSU, he has continued to lead a world-class research program focused on microbial signal transduction, physiology, and pathogenesis. His work spans structural biology, genetics, and biochemistry, addressing fundamental questions about how bacteria sense and respond to their environment. His research on Caulobacter crescentus and Brucella abortus has advanced understanding of bacterial stress responses and infection biology, earning continuous NIH funding and more than 120 peer-reviewed publications.
Beyond research, Crosson is celebrated for his mentorship and teaching. He leads BioSci 161, an introductory biology course that reaches hundreds of MSU students each year, and he has guided numerous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduates to successful careers in academia, industry, and government. His trainees now hold faculty positions at institutions such as the University of Florida, Wisconsin, and Michigan-Flint.
Crosson’s service record is equally impressive. At MSU, he has served on the University Council, Faculty Senate, and the College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Search Committee, as well as numerous faculty search and advisory committees. He chaired the Basic and Applied Biology panel for the Strategic Partnership Grant program and played a key role in departmental recruitment efforts.
“Sean truly excels in all aspects of being a faculty member from research, mentorship, service, and teaching,” said MGI Professor Chris Waters, in his nomination letter. “As a bright star in CNS, MSU, and indeed the entire microbiology community, he truly deserves selection for a CNS Outstanding Faculty Award.”
Other nomination letters were similarly glowing, recognizing his wide breadth of knowledge along with his humility and skill as a mentor.
Crosson’s leadership extends beyond MSU. Nationally, he contributes to the scientific community by sitting on the Council of Microbial Sciences for the American Society for Microbiology, serving as a Governor of the American Academy of Microbiology, chairing Gordon Research Conferences, and as a section editor for PLoS genetics. He was recently named an ASM Distinguished Lecturer, and in 2023, he was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
“I’m honored to receive the CNS Outstanding Faculty Award and am grateful to the students, postdocs, and colleagues whose creativity and hard work made this recognition possible,” said Crosson. “The strong collaborative environment within NatSci and across colleges has been essential to our efforts to understand how microbes influence human, animal, and environmental health.”
Richard Lenski honored with Junior Faculty Mentorship Award
Richard E. Lenski, Hannah Distinguished Professor in MGI and the Departments of Integrative Biology and Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, was selected for the Junior Faculty Mentoring Award. This award honors faculty who exemplify outstanding mentorship, guiding early-career colleagues with trust, honesty, and a commitment to their success.
Lenski is internationally renowned for pioneering the Long-Term Evolution Experiment, or LTEE, a landmark study that has transformed understanding of biological evolution and adaptation. His scientific achievements have earned him election to the National Academy of Sciences and global recognition as one of the foremost evolutionary biologists. Yet, despite his stature, colleagues emphasize that Lenski’s dedication to mentoring is as remarkable as his research.
Over the past 25 years, Lenski has mentored numerous junior faculty members, helping them navigate the challenges of academia while fostering confidence and independence.
“Dr. Lenski goes out of his way to support junior faculty as they pursue tenure and learn to balance scholarly and personal activities,” said MSU Research Foundation Professor Shannon Manning in her nomination letter. “After talking to him for even a brief period, it becomes clear that he genuinely cares and wants you to succeed.”
“He attempts to see the world through my eyes and often notes that his perspective is unique and conditioned on his identity and experience,” said Nina Wale, Assistant Professor in MGI and Integrative Biology. “This combination makes him both an approachable and effective mentor.”
Lenski’s approach to mentoring emphasizes not only professional success but also personal well-being. He hosts gatherings to build community, encourages work-life balance, and models integrity and collegiality. His influence extends across disciplines, inspiring collaborations that bridge biology, computation, and beyond.
“Mentoring early-career faculty is doubly rewarding, in my experience, because it’s about helping colleagues think through their potential contributions while also strengthening the scientific enterprise writ large,” said Lenski. “I’ve been so fortunate to work with terrific people at all career stages, from undergrads and grad students to postdocs, junior faculty, and beyond.”
The awards were conferred at a ceremony on November 21, 2025.
For a full list of award winners, visit the College of Natural Science news article.
