Cameron University associate professor Dr. Rajesh K. Nayak has been selected for the U.S. Department of Energy Visiting Faculty Program for the Summer 2026 term. Joining him in this prestigious residency is Evan Capuccio, a 2025 Cameron graduate.
This is the second summer that the duo has been selected for this program.
“Very few faculty from undergraduate institutions have the opportunity to participate in this type of program, so this is a great honor for Dr. Nayak to be selected,” said Dr. Kyle Moore, chair of the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Engineering. “By including Evan in this appointment, the program fulfills its mission of developing the next generation of American scientists.”
One June 1, the duo will travel to the National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colo., to engage in high-level collaborative research. The Visiting Faculty Program is a highly competitive national program designed to increase the research competitiveness of faculty and students by providing access to the world-class resources and expertise found at Department of Energy national laboratories.
"Dr. Nayak’s selection for the Visiting Faculty Program, along with Evan Capuccio, is a testament to the high caliber of academic excellence within our department," said Dr. Ann Nalley, one of the professor’s colleagues. "This opportunity not only elevates Cameron’s research profile, but provides a transformative, hands-on experience for our students at a premier national facility."
Nayak is the recipient of the 2025 Harold and Elizabeth Hackler Award for Teaching Excellence – Cameron’s highest faculty honor – and the Bhattacharya Endowed Lectureship for Excellence in Research Award. He has also received CU’s Faculty Award for Excellence in Research Mentoring in recognition for his dedication to student mentorship.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Cameron University's ongoing commitment to providing students with what the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Engineering calls "The Cameron University Experience" – one that combines rigorous classroom instruction with real-world, national-scale research opportunities.
PR#26-056
