Kylie Harmon, Ph.D., Jeremy Losak, Ph.D., and Sudha Raj, Ph.D. were honored with Falk College of Sport Faculty of the Year awards for excellence in research, service, and teaching, respectively. The honorees were nominated by their peers for outstanding teaching, scholarship, and internal and professional service contributions and announced by the Falk College Faculty Council in late April.
Here's a look at this year's honorees with comments from their award presenters:
Kylie Harmon, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise Science Faculty of the Year Award for Excellence in Research
From her presenter, Joon Young Kim, Ph.D.:
"Dr. Harmon's research focuses on neuromuscular adaptations — specifically motor unit behavior and corticospinal pathway changes — in response to aging, disuse, fatigue, and strength training. Her contributions to our research community over the past year have been exceptional, demonstrating both high-level scholarly output and a deep commitment to student research mentorship.
"Dr. Harmon is currently leading four active human research projects in collaboration with many faculty members and students within and outside of the exercise science department. By collecting primary data in her own neuromuscular physiology lab, she upholds the most rigorous standards of scientific practice while advancing the field through original contributions.
"As Syracuse University and Falk College emphasize students' experiential learning opportunities, we would like to specially acknowledge that Dr. Harmon is currently mentoring eight students — four at the undergraduate level and four at the Master's level. Her commitment to student development is powerfully demonstrated by the outstanding recognition of those she mentors: undergraduate student Rylie DiMaio was recognized as a Class of 2026 Falk College Scholars and was named a Syracuse University Scholar, the highest academic honors conferred by Falk College and Syracuse University, respectively. Her research mentorship has also translated directly into meaningful funding opportunities for her students, including two SOURCE Research Assistant awards.
Jeremy Losak, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Sport Analytics Faculty of the Year Award for Excellence in Service
From his presenter, Justin Ehrlich, Ph.D.:
"Dr. Losak has served as advisor or co-advisor of the Sport Management Club since 2019, and as lead advisor during the 2025 calendar year. With up to 80 active members, the club's flagship event is its annual Charity Sports Auction — an undertaking that demands extensive planning, sponsor outreach, collaboration with the JMA Wireless Dome, and budget management. Under Dr. Losak's guidance, the SPM Club raised a record $76,540 in 2025 for the Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. His mentorship advances Falk College's commitment to Sport for Good, teaching students the importance of giving back to the Syracuse community they call home.
"Beyond the SPM Club, Dr. Losak chaired the Falk College Curriculum Committee, served on the Department of Sport Analytics Promotion and Tenure Committee, and advised the SAL Living Learning Community, the SABR Analytics Club, and the Football Analytics Blitz competition. As a Falk alumnus, he also serves on the Emerging Leaders Council.
"For his excellence in service in 2025 and in appreciation of his dedication to the students, faculty, and mission of Falk College and Syracuse University, we are proud to recognize Jeremy Losak as the 2025 Faculty of the Year for Excellence in Service."
Sudha Raj, Ph.D.
Teaching Professor and Graduate Program Director, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies
Evan Weissman Memorial Faculty of the Year Award for Teaching Excellence
From her presenter, Chaya Lee Charles:
"As a Teaching Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, Sudha has demonstrated dedication to excellence in teaching and an exemplary commitment to inclusiveness in the classroom. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate level courses, and she is one of the few Full Teaching Professors in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies in Falk College. She serves as mentor to multiple teaching professors and is instrumental in the evaluation of teaching professors for promotion within Falk College.
"Sudha's creativity and enthusiasm for learning encourage active engagement with unique course material, whether it be through the use of food as medicine or viewing nutrition and health through the lens of immigration and cultural assimilation. Recently as part of a graduate seminar in Food and Nutrition, she established an inter-professional discussion panel with healthcare professionals from SUNY Upstate to foster communication between aspiring dietitians with students and faculty from various other healthcare professions. Expanding on this idea, Sudha created a Functional Nutrition module specifically for SUNY Upstate Medical University medical students.
"One of her significant contributions to teaching innovation is the development of her South Asian – Family, Food, and Healthcare Systems course. This transformative experience provides students a unique opportunity to explore South Asian culture, family dynamics, culinary traditions, and healthcare systems through a semester-long course which culminates in a guided cultural immersion trip to India.
"Recently Sudha was one of two faculty to be recognized with the highly competitive Meredith Professor Teaching Awards for Continuing Excellence from Syracuse University. Last year, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine practice group, and this past fall she was awarded the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Medallion Award for her groundbreaking contributions to the field of nutrition and dietetics.
"Her work in the dietetics field has been extensive and groundbreaking, however her primary goal has always been — and I quote — 'to never lose sight of my primary objective, which has always been to teach and to mentor.'
"I have had the extreme privilege to be one of those students. When I entered the undergraduate program here in the nutrition department, Sudha was my first nutrition professor. I was immediately floored by her vast knowledge in the field, but throughout the years of her not just being my professor, but my thesis advisor and ultimately my professional mentor, I have realized her knowledge is better described as wisdom. Sudha is the supreme example of a quiet force of nature who has the rare ability to not just teach and mentor, but to truly inspire and guide others in the profession and in life. I could not be more humbled and honored to be her colleague and friend, as she is not just the best teacher I have ever had but one of the best humans I have ever known."