President-Elect: Luis Palacio, PhD, PE
Luis is the Executive Director and CEO of the Diversity and Innovation Institute. He has been a me
mber of the Indiana Academy of Science since 2013, and currently serves as the Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. In addition to his service on the DEI Committee, Luis has been a dedicated judge for the Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair.
Treasurer: Kevin Drury
Kevin is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Huntington University, where he is an active teacher and mentor for students engaging in undergraduate research. As Mathematics Section Leader of the Indiana Academy of Science, Dr. Drury helps his students learn to present their research results at academic conferences and professional forums.
Secretary: Dr. Michelle Marincel-Payne
Michelle Marincel Payne is an environmental engineer and Associate Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. She holds a BS in Nuclear Engineering and MS in Environmental Engineering from University of Missouri-Rolla and Missouri University of Science and Technology. At Rose-Hulman, Michelle co-leads an Undergraduate Research Community to support undergraduate learning through research. She works with students to investigate the use of engineered wetlands to remove stormwater pollutants. Michelle served as the Engineering Section Chair of the Academy and is currently serving on the Academy Council as the Academy Secretary.
DEI Committee: Dr. Medhane Cumbay OR Dr. Wei Lei
Dr. Medhane Cumbay is an Associate Professor of Pharmacology at Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Cumbay’s interest in teaching developed during his graduate studies at Purdue University, where he was awarded a teaching fellowship to develop a biochemistry prep course for students entering the Doctor of Pharmacy program. His interests in teaching lead him to Butler University, where he awarded Outstanding Pharmaceutical Science Professor in 2012, and ultimately to MUCOM. His research interests are focused on cell surface receptor function as it relates to: modulation of cellular signaling and cell-to-cell communication, elucidating drug-receptor interactions, neurodegenerative diseases, and drug development.
Dr. Wei Lei holds the position of Assistant Professor in Pharmaceutical and Graduate Life Sciences at Manchester University, concurrently serving as an Adjunct Professor at Purdue University Fort Wayne. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2015 and subsequently completed postdoctoral training in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Arizona, specializing in signal transduction and drug discovery for pain management. Before joining Manchester University, he held the position of Assistant Professor at the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy in South Carolina. His primary research focus centers on discovering innovative approaches to enhance pain management. By using both in vitro and animal pain models, his laboratory is investigating the effects of novel compounds, including heat shock protein 90 inhibitors, on opioid-induced signaling and behavior. Additionally, Dr. Lei’s lab is engaged in the exploration of non-opioid analgesics derived from botanical sources, such as Arnica. Dr. Lei has contributed to the scientific community as a reviewer for various funding agencies and numerous scientific journals. In addition to his research endeavors, he has actively participated in committees, including the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access (IDEA) Committee, for scientific and professional organizations such as the US Association for the Study of Pain and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
Research Grants Committee: Dr. Wei Lei OR Dr. Catherine Steding
Dr. Wei Lei holds the position of Assistant Professor in Pharmaceutical and Graduate Life Sciences at Manchester University, concurrently serving as an Adjunct Professor at Purdue University Fort Wayne. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2015 and subsequently completed postdoctoral training in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Arizona, specializing in signal transduction and drug discovery for pain management. Before joining Manchester University, he held the position of Assistant Professor at the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy in South Carolina. His primary research focus centers on discovering innovative approaches to enhance pain management. By using both in vitro and animal pain models, his laboratory is investigating the effects of novel compounds, including heat shock protein 90 inhibitors, on opioid-induced signaling and behavior. Additionally, Dr. Lei’s lab is engaged in the exploration of non-opioid analgesics derived from botanical sources, such as Arnica. Dr. Lei has contributed to the scientific community as a reviewer for various funding agencies and numerous scientific journals. In addition to his research endeavors, he has actively participated in committees, including the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access (IDEA) Committee, for scientific and professional organizations such as the US Association for the Study of Pain and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
Dr. Catherine E. Steding has over a decade of rich academic experience in Academia and holds a longstanding membership in the Indiana Academy of Sciences. Her career is marked by a passionate pursuit of diverse research endeavors, spanning from delving into the intricate molecular mechanisms of Breast Cancer to conducting qualitative studies exploring patient perceptions and innovative educational practices. Her broad spectrum of research expertise equips her to offer invaluable mentorship to students across various disciplines and interests.
In her latest academic role at Marian University, Dr. Steding has embraced new opportunities for professional growth, particularly in the realm of educational scholarship. Serving as the Scholar in Residence for the Innovation in STEHM Education Learning Community, she is deeply dedicated to nurturing a wide array of research projects and fostering diverse academic interests.
Member-at-Large: Bill McKnight
Former high school instructor, museum curator and bryologist; current gardening consultant, lecturer and blogger; Academy member since 1985 who has: chaired and/or served on numerous IAS committees & task forces (e.g., Biological Survey, Budget, Code of Ethics, Long-range Planning), served as section chair Plant Systematics and Biodiversity, directed all facets of the Special Publications Program since 1988, organized the Biological Pollution Symposium (1991), organized the 1994 annual meeting, served as Transition Officer (2009-10), organized the Rothrock Sedge Symposium (2022), de facto Academy historian (ongoing) and as such composed reports / historical summaries of IAS activities (e.g., finances, member affiliation, comparison with other academies, research grants allocation, governance and presidents).
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