Recent achievements for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln community were earned by Guillermo Balboa, Ian Borden, Caro Cordova, Aaron Daigh, Javed Iqbal, Bijesh Maharjan, Nic McMillan, James Schnable and Christian Stephenson.
Honors
Guillermo Balboa, research assistant professor of agronomy and horticulture, was awarded the 2026 Xtra Service Award by the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. Balboa received the award for his dedicated work and for exceeding expectations in his work.
Ian Borden, professor in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, and collaborator Kerry Wilks, won the inaugural Amy Williamsen Comedia Prize for Collaborative Research from the Association for Hispanic Classical Theatre for "The Entremés in Performance: Translations of One-Act Plays from Golden Age Spain.” The bilingual anthology translates short Spanish comic interludes into English for the first time, bridging the gap between classical research and modern theatrical practice.
Caro Cordova, assistant professor of agronomy and horticulture, received the 2026 Excellence in Extension Award from the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. It was awarded to her for her work in the department's Extension program and the impactful outcomes that have resulted from it. The award recognizes her talent for using research to produce practical solutions.
Aaron Daigh, associate professor of agronomy and horticulture and biological systems engineering, presented at the the Soil Science Society of America's Congressional Soils Caucus in Washington, D.C. Daigh, president of the society, discussed public knowledge surrounding soil health's effects on food quality and human health, as well as how it influences agricultural resilience and rural communities. He also highlighted the importance of soil environment in producing maximum crop potential.
Javed Iqbal, associate professor of agronomy and horticulture, was honored with the 2026 Excellence in Research Award from the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. This award recognizes a faculty member who significantly contributes to the department’s research mission through outstanding research programs. Iqbal’s research helps in addressing soil nutrient management issues and their impact on water quality. His research also examines how to best use fertilizer producers and manure for sustainable agriculture and how to develop cost-effective, efficient and site-specific nutrient management practices.
Nic McMillan, assistant professor of agronomy and horticulture, received the Dinsdale Family Faculty Award from the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The award is presented to a faculty member that significantly contributed to teaching, research, or Extension education in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. McMillan's work centers on connecting student mentoring, teaching and research to address the problems facing working grasslands.
James Schnable, professor of and Nebraska Corn Checkoff Presidential Chair of agronomy and horticulture, received the Omtvedt Innovation Award for research from the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The award is given to an individual that demonstrates innovation and excellence in teaching, research and Extension.
Christian Stephenson, assistant professor of practice of agronomy and horticulture, was awarded the 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award by the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. The honor recognizes Stephenson for his exceptional commitment and contributions to the department’s teaching mission.
Appointments
Bijesh Maharjan, associate professor of agronomy and horticulture and extension specialist at the Nebraska Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center, received the Ray and Jolene Ward Professorship in Soil Health Science by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Maharjan is widely known for contributing to soil health science through the development of the Soil Health Gap and Soil Health Cycle, both of which aid researchers and producers in improving soil health function.
