Three faculty members received the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for Excellence, the highest honor bestowed by NC State and the university’s Board of Trustees. Chancellor Randy Woodson will recognize the awardees during the Celebration of Faculty Excellence on April 8.
The 2025 honorees are:
- Brian Gilger, Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences
- Jacob Jones, Kobe Steel Distinguished Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- Xiangwu Zhang, Samuel S. Walker Distinguished Professor, Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science
The award was named in honor of Alexander Quarles Holladay, NC State’s first professor of history and its first president. This year’s award winners have made outstanding and sustained contributions to the university through achievements in research, teaching, or extension and engagement. Honorees receive an engraved medal and framed certificate, and will be recognized at NC State’s spring commencement ceremony on May 3.
“We are excited to announce this year’s Holladay Medal recipients,” said Chancellor Randy Woodson. “These incredible faculty represent our strong commitment to excellence in education, teaching, research and service. We are grateful to have them as members of the Wolfpack.”
Dr. Brian Gilger
Gilger received his DVM from The Ohio State University and an M.S. from Auburn University, where he also completed a residency in ophthalmology. He joined NC State in 1995 as an associate professor of ophthalmology in the Department of Clinical Sciences. Since his arrival, he has earned renown for his innovative research, clinical expertise and impactful teaching methods, and has profoundly advanced the understanding and treatment of ocular diseases, particularly in horses.
Gilger’s career has been dedicated to uncovering the pathogenesis of equine eye diseases and translating this knowledge into improved diagnostic and treatment methods for veterinarians. He exemplifies the dual role of a clinical researcher, driving discovery both at the research bench and in the barn stall. His contributions are widely recognized, with his findings published in the top 10 highest-impact ophthalmology journals. Among his most significant achievements are innovative and practical treatments for critical equine eye conditions. His unique ability to analyze diseases from multiple perspectives has allowed him to develop effective solutions for the distinctive challenges presented by the equine species.
Beyond his research, Gilger is highly respected by his peers, as evidenced by numerous appointments to national boards and advisory councils in both equine and human ophthalmology. At NC State, Gilger remains a vital contributor to the classroom, clinic and various committees. He has mentored countless DVM students, interns, residents, graduate students and undergraduate researchers, fostering the next generation of veterinary professionals and researchers. His scientific achievements have earned him numerous awards, honors and advisory appointments. His exceptional contributions to both human and equine ophthalmology are matched only by his dedication as a mentor and a colleague. Gilger is a fellow of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and the American Board of Toxicology.
Dr. Jacob Jones
Jones received his Ph.D. from Purdue University and then completed an international postdoctoral fellowship from the National Science Foundation (NSF) at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. He joined NC State in 2013 and is now a Kobe Steel Distinguished Professor in Materials Science and Engineering, a University Faculty Scholar and director of the NSF-funded Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center.
A distinguished scientist and exceptional collaborator, Jones integrates research excellence with a deep commitment to student education and success. His research focuses on the development and application of advanced neutron and x-ray scattering techniques to study the crystallography of complex, hierarchically structured materials, as well as the kinetics and mechanisms of material synthesis and phase evolution. Internationally recognized as a leading expert in ferroelectric materials, Jones has provided unprecedented insights into the atomic-structure dynamics underlying piezoelectric and electromechanical phenomena, significantly advancing the field. He has published more than 300 peer-reviewed papers, holds four patents, and is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Edward C. Henry Award for the best paper published in the Journal of the American Ceramic Society. His scientific achievements are complemented by his leadership in research and professional communities.
Jones represents the university in leadership roles within international organizations and national research initiatives. As the director and principal investigator for STEPS, Jones leads a team of researchers from 10 institutions to improve phosphorous sustainability. He is the director of the NSF-supported Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network, a collaboration with Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He previously served as the director of the Analytical Instrumentation Facility. Jones exemplifies the ideals of a scholar, mentor and leader, consistently advancing his field while fostering the next generation of scientists and engineers. His remarkable contributions have significantly elevated NC State’s reputation in materials science and engineering on national and international stages.
Dr. Xiangwu Zhang
Zhang received his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from Zhejiang University and was a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NC State and at the Center for Electrochemical Systems and Hydrogen Research at Texas A&M University. He joined the NC State faculty in 2006 and is now the Samuel S. Walker Distinguished Professor in the Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science and the associate dean for research in the Wilson College of Textiles.
Zhang is a globally recognized leader in multifunctional fiber and textile materials, particularly for energy storage and batteries. He has made significant contributions across research, teaching, extension and engagement, leaving a profound impact in each area. During his tenure at NC State, Zhang has secured more than $8.5 million in research funding from diverse sources demonstrating his ability to achieve both theoretical breakthroughs that sustain governmental funding and practical solutions that meet industry needs. His award-winning research has led to 14 invited book chapters, 300 peer-reviewed journal articles, and more than 340 technical conference presentations. He also holds seven patents, further underscoring his innovative contributions to the field.
While excelling as a researcher, Zhang has also served as associate dean for research, taught two classes annually, and mentored numerous graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral scholars and visiting researchers. Zhang’s leadership extends beyond the classroom. In his roles within the Wilson College of Textiles, he has successfully increased graduate student enrollment, expanded the college’s research capabilities, strengthened the research office staff, introduced proposal writing assistance and launched a junior faculty mentoring program focused on research success. He has been honored with several accolades at NC State including being named a University Faculty Scholar and a member of the Research Leadership Academy and the Academy of Outstanding Teachers. Zhang is a member of several industry organizations, including the Materials Research Society, Sigma XI and the American Chemical Society, a fellow of the International Engineering and Technology Institute and has received the Fiber Society’s Distinguished Service Award.
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