Faculty Excellence Honored at 13th Annual Outstanding Faculty Awards
Five faculty members representing Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science’s three colleges were recognized for their excellence in research, teaching, service, and clinical education at the 13th Annual Outstanding Faculty Awards.
Their dedication to student success, mentorship, and community engagement reflects the University’s mission to develop diverse health leaders dedicated to social justice and health equity.
Lejeaune Lockett, DM, MSPH, Director of International Affairs, received the Outstanding Service Award for her longstanding commitment to service and leadership across the University. Through the Office of International Affairs, Dr. Lockett has helped advance the “Global-International Experience” pillar of The CDU Advantage by expanding the University’s involvement in global initiatives and consortiums.
“I’ve been at CDU for 16 years and this award represents 16 years of gratitude for being in an environment where I can explore my passions and be of service,” said Lockett. “Serving others is deeply rooted in who I am. My dad always told me to make a difference in whatever I chose to do, and I live by those words each day.”
Rajan Singh, PhD, professor of medicine in the Internal Medicine department, received the Outstanding Research Award, which recognizes faculty members with exceptional track records of research grant funding and publications. Dr. Singh has been a part of the CDU community for more than two decades and his research focuses on obesity, metabolism and aging. His work has been supported through multiple National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants.
Sarina Singhi, APRN, PMHNP-BC, was honored with the Outstanding Clinical Educator Award, which recognizes clinicians who demonstrate excellence in patient care while exhibiting outstanding educational and mentoring capability in the training of future clinical practitioners.
Orette Clarke, DO, ’17 MSBS, received the Outstanding Teaching Award, for his student-centered approach and commitment to excellence in instruction. This marks the fourth consecutive year a faculty member from the Physician Assistant Program has earned the distinction.
“What drew me to CDU as a student was its mission to serve — and to serve wholeheartedly,” said Clarke. “That commitment continues to guide me now as a faculty member. In every interaction and throughout every stage of my career, I strive to lead with service while encouraging future leaders to carry forward that same spirit of service.”
Cynthia Gonzalez, PhD, MPH, received the Outstanding Professor Award for her long-standing contributions to student learning. A professor in the Masters of Public Health Program, Dr. Gonzalez has been a part of the CDU community for 25 years, beginning as a teenager in the NIH National High School Student Summer Research Apprentice program.
“I do not know any other place like CDU, where people are encouraged to show up as their authentic selves,” said Dr. Gonzalez. “As a first-generation Chicana professor from Watts, this recognition deepens my commitment to the work we’ve done here for the last 60 years and to advancing CDU’s mission for future generations.”
The ceremony also recognized graduates of the ACUE Faculty Development Program, celebrating their commitment to advancing teaching excellence and student success across the University.