DANBURY, Connecticut — The Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) recently announced the names of 12 Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) faculty members who are recipients of 2024-25 Board of Regents Faculty Awards. The awards, presented for excellence in research and teaching, are given to assistant and associate professors in tenure-track or tenured positions, as well as adjunct faculty members, and are awarded at the CSCU university and CT State Community College level, with overall winners recognized in the teaching and research categories at the System level as well.
Western Connecticut State University Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Carlos Santibáñez-López, who received awards for research at both the university level and the System level, is a biologist who specializes in the evolutionary diversification of venomous arthropods like scorpions and spiders. His research has included exploration of arachnid systematics, evolutionary biology, comparative genomics and bioinformatics. According to Santibáñez-López, this work has direct implications for public health and provides the basis for developing more efficient antivenoms while uncovering the potential for some of the components to become new drugs.
In his letter nominating Santibáñez-López for the Research Award, WCSU Professor of Biology Dr. Joshua Cordeira wrote, “Carlos is a distinguished scientist specializing in the evolutionary diversification of venomous scorpions and spiders. He uses advanced computational and genetic techniques to explore how adaptations like venom arise from evolution and affect the diversity of life on earth.”
Cordeira continued, “Carlos is an expert arachnologist with an extraordinary publication record. He conducts research which is widely recognized externally and has made significant impacts on his field. Carlos’ level of research productivity in the last five years has been exceptional. His publication record is even more impressive considering the high teaching load and the limited resources for research. Carlos has authored or co-authored 23 peer-reviewed publications; three of these articles are featured on the journal cover, emphasizing the quality, impact, and recognition of the work; two of these articles include undergraduate and graduate student authors, highlighting his commitment to mentorship; and he has authored or co-authored three book chapters, has made 13 oral or poster presentations at professional conferences, he has more than 1,000 citations and a 5-year h-index of 20 on Google Scholar. The h-index is a reliable measure of scholarly achievement. A score of 20 is considered good for a full professor having researched for 20 years. Carlos reached that milestone in only five years!”
Santibáñez-López also has adeptly facilitated research partnerships with colleagues at UConn, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Eastern Connecticut State University, and the Natural History Museum “Bernardino Rivas” in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Reflecting on his award, Santibáñez-López said, “I am deeply humbled and truly honored to receive this prestigious award. This recognition is a testament to the unwavering support system that surrounds me: my incredible faculty, whose mentorship and collaboration have been invaluable; my amazing colleagues, whose willingness to brainstorm, challenge ideas, and push boundaries brings so many concepts to life; and my cherished friends and family, whose constant encouragement means the world. I am committed to continuing on this path, pushing the boundaries of research, and, most importantly, inspiring the Hispanic community in Connecticut and beyond to pursue their passions and dreams with unwavering determination.”
Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.