13 UNO Faculty Ranked Among “Top 2%” of World’s Researchers

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is home to some of the world’s leading researchers, including five in the top 500 in their respective fields, according to an annual report from Stanford University and Elsevier.

What’s new: Thirteen current and emeritus UNO faculty have been recognized among the top two percent of cited researchers in the world for single-year and career impact, an increase of three faculty from the 2025 list.

Why it matters: The prestigious list ranks 100,000 – or top 2% – of the world’s leading researchers through their citation influence across 20 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields from the previous year.

What they’re saying:

• Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, UNO Chancellor: “World-class research institutions are built over decades through a sustained commitment to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional talent. This year's rankings reflect the dedication of generations of faculty and university leaders who have helped establish UNO as a destination for some of the world's brightest minds. I am incredibly proud of the research community we have built and the foundation it provides for even greater achievements in the years ahead.”
• Phil He, Ph.D., Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs: “These rankings send a powerful message to prospective students: You can learn directly from some of the world's leading researchers right here in Omaha. What these rankings cannot fully capture is the impact these faculty have as educators, mentors, and leaders who inspire the next generation of researchers and elevate the work of their colleagues. That combination of research excellence and a deep commitment to student success is what makes UNO such a special place to learn, teach, and grow.”
• Sara Myers, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Creative Activity: “Research excellence is contagious. When faculty share their expertise with colleagues and students, they create opportunities for others to achieve at the highest levels. The faculty recognized in these rankings are leading by example and helping cultivate a research culture at UNO where curiosity, collaboration, and a shared passion for discovery continue to build our momentum.”

Top 2% Faculty

Career Impact

• *John T. Price, Ph.D., English professor.
• *Nick Stergiou, Ph.D., distinguished community research chair in biomechanics and professor and director of the Biomechanics Research Building and the Center for Research in Human Movement Variability.
• *Roni Reiter-Palmon, Ph.D., distinguished professor of industrial/organizational psychology, the John Lewis Holland Chair, and director of innovation for the Center for Collaboration Sciences.
• John “Jack” Shroder, Ph.D., professor emeritus of geology and geography, as well as emeritus faculty for the Center for Afghanistan Studies.
• Gurpreet S. Dhillon, Ph.D., John Becker Dean of the College of Business Administration.
• *Yu-Che Chen, Ph.D., Kathleen D. Seline Professor of Public Administration and director of the School of Public Administration.
• L. LaReesa Wolfenbarger, Ph.D., professor emerita of biology.
• Qiuming Zhu, Ph.D., computer science professor.
• *H. Andy Zhong, Ph.D., Ralph Wardle Diamond Professor and Chair, Department of Chemistry.
• Zhenyuan Wang, Ph.D., professor emeritus in math.

*Also recognized for single-year impact

Single-Year Impact

• Justin Nix, Ph.D., distinguished professor for the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
• Tara Richards, Ph.D., School of Criminology and Criminal Justice interim director and David Scott Diamond Professor
• Madhur Mangalam, Ph.D., biomechanics assistant professor.

Criminology and Criminal Justice Professor Benjamin M. Steiner, Ph.D., who passed away in 2019, was also recognized for single-year impact.

Top 500: Five UNO faculty ranked in the top 500 globally in their respective sub-fields for single-year impact:

• Stergiou: Orthopedics, No. 115
• Nix: Criminology, No. 136
• Steiner: Criminology, No. 283
• Richards: Criminology, No. 306
• Reiter-Palmon: Social Psychology, No. 444

Related: UNO recently exceeded $40 million in grant awards for the fourth straight year and set a new single-year record of $42,475,945 in FY 2025-2026, breaking the previous record set in FY 2022-2023.