Shahid Mukhtar, professor of genetics and biochemistry, was recognized for his work mentoring undergraduate researchers with the Phil and Mary Bradley Faculty Award for Mentoring in Creative Inquiry.
Mukhtar mentors students in the project “Dissecting Plant Complexity: From Arabidopsis Mutants to Soybean Drought Mechanisms,” which gives students hands-on research experience focusing on soybean anatomy and physiology under stress, such as drought.
Through tissue sectioning, advanced microscopy and histological analysis, students analyze how drought and other stressors alter plant tissues, helping them gain a better understanding of how environmental pressures affect agricultural systems.
“Dr. Mukhtar is as enthusiastic about working with undergraduates as he is about his own research,” wrote one student nominator. “Even from my first conversation with him, I could tell he’s incredibly passionate about what he does and that he’s excited about including new students. He makes sure I know that he believes in me as a scientist … I’ve learned many important research skills, and I feel more confident in the lab because of him.”
Mukhtar joined the Clemson faculty in 2024. Prior to that, he served for 14 years on the faculty at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he established an internationally recognized research program in plant immune network biology and earned distinction for both teaching and service. He completed his doctoral training at the Max Planck Institute in Germany and postdoctoral work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
This award is made possible by a donation from Phil and Mary Bradley, who helped launch the CI program in 2005 with a gift of $100,000. Since that time, they have continued to support CI by endowing the faculty award since 2006. The Bradleys’ generous gift allows each recipient to receive a plaque and salary supplement. Phil graduated from Clemson in 1965, and Mary was named an Honorary Alumna in 2015.
Jeremiah Carpenter, a Ph.D. student in bioengineering, received the Graduate Student Award for Mentoring in Creative Inquiry. He is a graduate research assistant in the Department of Chemical Engineering, working directly with Delphine Dean in the Bioelectromechanics Lab. He researches the detection of heavy metals in fluids.
Carpenter earned degrees in bioengineering and biomedical engineering from Clemson and has consistently mentored undergraduate researchers through the Creative Inquiry program throughout his graduate career. Students under his mentorship have earned recognition, including success in the Engineering World Health Design Competition.
“What makes Jeremiah especially impactful is how he makes students feel like they belong in research. He always encourages students to go after opportunities they think are out of reach, supporting them and giving them the tools to succeed as they progress toward their research goals,” said a student nominator. “He treats students like innovators and future colleagues, not just undergraduates learning basic research skills.”
About Creative Inquiry + Undergraduate Research
Creative Inquiry + Undergraduate Research combines experiential learning, multi-disciplinary interactions and team-based research. Since it began in 2005, more than 72,000 students from every major have participated in Creative Inquiry projects.
Today, approximately 4,300 students participate in Creative Inquiry each year, exploring a wide range of topics. Projects typically last for multiple semesters, allowing students and faculty to dive deeper as they tackle tough questions and search for solutions to life’s challenges.
