Distinguished Faculty Award in Research: Dr. Cuihong Jia
Jia, who joined ETSU in 2014, has quickly established herself
as one of the university's premier researchers.
Dr. Cuihong Jia, an associate professor in the East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine’s Department of Biomedical Sciences, earned the Distinguished Faculty Award in Research.
Jia, who joined ETSU in 2014, has nearly three dozen publications under her belt and has quickly established herself as one of the university’s premier researchers – translating $50,000 in internal college grants to more than $2.5 million in federal funding, including $662,499 from the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Defense in 2024.
Much of Jia’s research is on neurological issues including the sense of smell, post-traumatic stress disorder and multiple sclerosis.
“Dr. Jia’s research promises to deliver real benefits for the people of East Tennessee and beyond,” wrote Jia’s nominator.
Jia discovered her passion for research in high school and received her undergraduate degree in biology from Northeast Normal University in China before pursuing graduate and doctorate degrees from Loyola University in Chicago.
At the Quillen College of Medicine, Jia said she has appreciated the comradery among faculty and staff who often go out of their way to help each other.
“I think it's not really hard to talk to the people around here and people always open the door whenever you have a question, no matter if you are junior faculty or senior,” said Jia. “They are always really open to me and have introduced me to resources they have available.”
Since joining ETSU, Jia has trained more than two dozen students in her lab and is
a sought-after educator for research students.
For Jia, research is a team effort, and she’ll be the first to shout out her colleagues for their role in her success.
“Medical research is teamwork,” said Jia. “I have an undergraduate student, graduate student and lab technician working in the lab on a daily basis, and I think I learn much more from them than they learn from me.”
Since joining the college, Jia has trained more than two dozen students in her lab and is a sought-after educator for research students. In her nomination packet, previous students complimented Jia, crediting her with their successful applications to graduate and medical schools.
“Not only is Dr. Jia an exceptional scientist, she is a genuine person fully invested in furthering scientific knowledge, as well as encouraging others to do the same,” wrote one student in her nomination packet.
And while Jia appreciates the recognition, she sees it as extra motivation.
“I’m truly honored for this award and I really appreciate it,” said Jia. “I see it as a recognition for what we’ve done in the past; however, I think it will give us significant motivation for me and for our team to do a better job in the future.”
East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.
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