As Merrimack College continues its transformation into a leading Catholic research university, some of the faculty contributing to that transformation were recently celebrated.
Three Merrimack faculty members helping to foster a culture of research were honored at the College’s annual Tolle Lege Reception on Wednesday, April 30, in the Collegiate Church of Christ the Teacher. The honorees represent critical aspects of the College’s research ecosystem, from student support to new faculty research.
Anthony Fernandez, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, received the Outstanding Research Mentorship Award for his efforts to help his students achieve their research goals.
“He has mentored over 20 graduate and undergraduate students during his time at Merrimack,” said April Bowling, vice president for research and vice provost for graduate innovation, who presented the awards. “Anthony is the quintessential heart of the type of faculty that makes Merrimack the place it is today. He has tirelessly and selflessly contributed to the development of our students and junior faculty.”
Juliana Cohen, professor of nutrition and public health, was recognized with the Spirit of Discovery Award for the opportunities her research has provided her students.
“She and her four undergraduate and graduate research assistants are currently in California collecting data for her next big study,” Bowling explained. “Her research centers on the identification, evaluation and dissemination of effective school policies and initiatives to address diet-related disparities and reduce the risk of obesity amongst children.”
The Early Career Researcher Award, which recognizes a faculty member in their first three years at Merrimack who has shown immense productivity in their field, was given to Amy Shafrir, assistant professor in health sciences and nutrition. In 2024, Shafrir published 10 research papers on pelvic pain and endometriosis.
“It’s not lost on me that I was on the hiring committee for (Shafrir),” Bowling said. “She personifies that you can be an incredibly productive researcher, an incredibly impactful teacher and a contributor to the curriculum and progress of your school.”
Now in its 22nd year, the Tolle Lege Reception celebrates the recent inductees into the McQuade Library’s Tolle Lege Collection, which catalogs published work from Merrimack faculty, students and alumni. The collection added 155 pieces published in 2024 by more than 100 Merrimack authors.
“(Starting in 2003,) now-retired library director Barbara LaChance and former Merrimack College Augustinian the Rev. Jim Wenzel, O.S.A., wanted to acknowledge and celebrate Merrimack’s growing community of authors,” explained Lyena Chavez, head librarian at McQuade Library. “Now a tradition every year, McQuade librarians curate a special collection of Merrimack community publications and host an event honoring Merrimack’s authors of the past year.”
