The Oklahoma State University College of Education, Health and Aviation is pleased to announce Dr. Tim Baghurst and Dr. Guoping Zhao as EHA Research Fellows. This inaugural honorary title was established to celebrate and encourage outstanding faculty research and scholarship contributions.

“Research involvement is a critical component in the professoriate and those that exemplify such qualities through disseminated research results are highly valued professionals,” says Bert Jacobson, associate dean for research, engagement and administration. “We are excited to introduce this prestigious accolade as a way to further support research efforts within our college and showcase the impressive work of our faculty.”

Baghurst, associate professor in health and human performance, joined the OSU faculty in 2012 and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas. His research interests include modeling  health and professional dispositions within health professions, male body image and muscle dysmorphia, skills and fitness testing in physical education and coaching and ethics in sports. Baghurst coordinates the sports and coaching science program and also developed the coaching science undergraduate degree and minor at OSU.

Zhao, professor in social foundations, is an internationally recognized scholar in the fields of philosophy education, comparative philosophy and Chinese education. Her work covers a broad range of topics, including theories of the subject, ethics, spirituality, democracy and politics of education and philosophical dialogue between Western modern and postmodern philosophy and Chinese philosophy. Zhao holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and joined the OSU faculty in 2002.

“Dr. Baghurst and Dr. Zhao are bright reflections on our college and their respective schools and programs. With their expertise and success in scholarship productivity, they have the distinct platform to further develop a research culture within the college and serve as a model to our faculty and students,” says Jacobson. 

As Research Fellows, Baghurst and Zhao will mentor, encourage and support faculty in their research endeavors as well as foster research collaboration among faculty, students and the university. Each will serve a two-year appointment and receive a $4,000 annual stipend. The College of Education, Health and Aviation will recognize Baghurst and Zhao during its Excellence Awards ceremony on Friday, May 11.