31 faculty named among the top 2% of most cited scientists worldwide
Thirty-one researchers at CU Denver are among the top 2% of most cited scientists worldwide, according to the 2025 list compiled by Stanford University and publishing company Elsevier. That’s seven more researchers who made the prestigious list than in 2024.
A total of 26 faculty members from across the university were also named to the 2024 career achievement list, an increase of two.
“This recognition highlights the impact CU Denver faculty are making across many disciplines in research and scholarship,” said Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Phillip De Leon. “We have excellent, passionate faculty conducting research that is making a difference in our communities near and far. The growing number of faculty who are highly cited is continued recognition of CU Denver’s impact as Colorado’s premier public urban research university.”
The top 2% list recognizes leading scientists based on citation metrics. The comprehensive list uses peer-reviewed publications, which represent 22 scientific fields and 174 subfields. The 2025 list is based on citations received in 2024.
“Science is a team sport,” said Priyanka deSouza, an assistant professor of urban and regional planning who studies air pollution and its effects. This is her first time making the list. DeSouza’s work focuses on air quality and its impact. “I’m excited that the work I’ve been lucky to get to do with so many excellent collaborators has been recognized in this manner.”
Another new honoree is Chemistry Assistant Professor Woonghee Lee, whose work focuses on the development and application of computational and experimental research methods geared toward human well-being.
“I am so excited to hear this news,” Lee said. “I love science. I love teaching. CU Denver has been more than supportive, as have my college and department. This accomplishment would not have been possible without the support of my lab team.”
2025 List
College of Architecture and Planning
Priyanka deSouza, PhD, Assistant Professor
School of Business
Wayne Cascio, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Tony Cox, PhD, Associate Professor
Marlena C. Fiol, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Traci Sitzmann, PhD, Professor
Jian Yang, PhD, Professor and J.P. Morgan Endowed Chair and Research Director
School of Education and Human Development
Ester Johanna de Jong, EdD, Associate Dean for Research and Academic Affairs
Joanna C. Dunlap, PhD, Professor
Nancy L. Leech, PhD, Professor
College of Engineering, Design and Computing
Guoying Dong, PhD, Assistant Professor
Martin Dunn, PhD, Dean and Professor
Stephen Gedney, PhD, Distinguished Professor
Wesley Marshall, PhD, Professor
Kristyn S. Masters, PhD, Professor and Chair of Bioengineering**
Kristin Lee Wood, PhD, Professor
Christopher Michael Yakacki, PhD*
Kai Yu, PhD, Assistant Professor
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Benjamin Greenwood, PhD, Associate Professor
Martin Gaudin Lockley, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Jan Mandel, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Woonghee Lee, PhD, Assistant Professor
School of Public Affairs
Mary E. Guy, PhD, Distinguished Professor
Tanya Heikkila, PhD, Professor
Christopher Weible, PhD, Distinguished Professor and interim Dean
Auraria Library
Jeffrey Beall, former Scholarly Communications Librarian
2025 Career Achievement List
School of Business
Tony Cox, PhD, Associate Professor
Jian Yang, PhD, J.P. Morgan Endowed Chair and Research Director
School of Education and Human Development
Nancy L. Leech, PhD, Professor
College of Engineering, Design and Computing
Martin Dunn, PhD, Dean and Professor
Stephen Gedney, PhD, Distinguished Professor
Wesley Marshall, PhD, Professor
Kristyn S. Masters, PhD, Professor and Chair of Bioengineering**
Samuel Welch, PhD, Associate Professor
Kristin Lee Wood, PhD, Professor
Christopher Michael Yakacki, PhD*
Kai Yu, PhD, Assistant Professor
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
School of Public Affairs
Christopher Weible, PhD, Professor and Program Director
Retired
Jeffrey Beall
Jan Bialasiewcz, PhD
Wayne Cascio, PhD
Marlena Fiol, PhD
Rick Gardner, PhD
Laura Goodwin, PhD
Martin Lockley, PhD
Deborah Main, PhD
Jan Mandel, PhD
Weldon Alexander Lodwick, PhD
*no longer at CU Denver
**appointments at CU Denver and CU Anschutz