Sruthi Narayanan, associate professor of crop ecophysiology in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, was named Junior Researcher of the Year during the 2025 Clemson University Research Symposium on May 7.
Narayanan’s research aims to unravel the resilience mechanisms agronomic crops use to manage abiotic stress from heat, drought and other climate conditions. This work supports the development of crop varieties that are environmentally sustainable, heat- and drought-tolerant and profitable for growers. She has received support from federal and state agencies, as well as industry collaborators, and mentored numerous visiting scientists, postdoctoral research associates and graduate, undergraduate and high school students in South Carolina. Narayanan has quickly garnered national recognition in her field, being elected to serve in multiple leadership roles within professional societies. Currently, she is the chair-elect of the Crop Physiology and Metabolism Division of the Crop Science Society of America. Among several national awards, Narayanan received the prestigious Crop Science Society of America Early Career Award in 2021.
“I am truly honored to receive the 2025 Junior Researcher of the Year Award. This recognition reflects not only my work but also the dedication and passion of my research team, including students and postdoctoral scholars,” said Narayanan, a faculty member in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences. “I am deeply grateful to my nominators, mentors, family and everyone who has supported me over the years. I view this award as a responsibility to continue pursuing impactful research and to contribute to society through research, education and service.”
Anjali Joseph, the Spartanburg Regional Health System Endowed Chair in Architecture + Health Design and director of the Center for Health Facilities Design and Testing, was named senior Researcher of the Year.
“Anjali and Sruthi offer excellent examples of the powerful impact of university research. The results of their work have been put into practice in the health care and agriculture industries, respectively, to directly improve patient health care and to help farmers boost profitability while supporting the rising global demand for food,” said Tanju Karanfil, senior vice president for research, scholarship and creative endeavors. “I congratulate them on this well-deserved honor and look forward to their future research pursuits.”
For Researcher of the Year, each college nominates a junior faculty member who received their terminal degree within the past 10 years and a senior faculty member. Winners were selected by an interdisciplinary committee.
Read Joseph, Narayanan named Clemson University Researchers of the Year for more information.
