Spotlight Scholars
The UMass Amherst Spotlight Scholars initiative shines a light on faculty working for positive social change through research, scholarship, and creative activity. Learn more about the work of these leading minds.
A call for nominations will be issued once a year at the beginning of fall semester. Find information on the nomination process, eligibility, and recognition.
The nomination period for the 2025–2026 UMass Amherst Spotlight Scholar faculty award program is now closed.
Meet the Spotlight Scholars
Evolutionary ecologist Lynn Adler’s research is uncovering important new clues about interactions between pollinators, pathogens, and plants.
Sonya Atalay, provost professor of anthropology, leads a global network of scholars dedicated to braiding Indigenous and Western sciences to study crucial, interconnected challenges facing communities.
UMass Amherst Professor of Computer Science Shlomo Zilberstein’s research seeks to enable artificial intelligence systems that can operate safely and reliably in real-world settings.
UMass Amherst Professor of Linguistics Joe Pater’s research on the sound systems of language synthesizes methods and theories from linguistics, psychology, and computer science.
Pari Riahi, UMass Amherst associate professor of architecture, conducts interdisciplinary scholarship at the intersection of the environmental humanities and the built environment.
UMass Amherst Professor Erinn Knyt’s research has revealed Ferruccio Busoni’s immeasurable, yet overlooked, influence on important musical trends of the 20th century.
Past Spotlight Scholars
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018