Three Faculty Recognized for Research, Teaching Excellence

During the 2025 Commencement celebrations, three members of the St. John Fisher University faculty have been honored with the University’s most prestigious scholarship and teaching honors.

Dr. Alexey Ignatchenko, associate professor of chemistry in the School of Arts and Sciences, received the Trustees’ Award for Distinguished Scholarly Achievement. The Award for Teaching Excellence at the undergraduate level was given to Dr. Hugh Lambert, assistant professor of accounting in the School of Business, while Dr. Remah Ali, visiting assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the Wegmans School of Pharmacy, was given the Award for Teaching Excellence at the graduate level.

The Trustees’ Award for Distinguished Scholarly Achievement is the highest honor that the Board of Trustees can bestow on a faculty member, second only to an honorary degree. It is given to full-time faculty members in recognition of outstanding scholarly work, ranging from writing books and articles, to presenting papers at professional conferences.

Dr. Alexey Ignatchenko, Award for Distinguished Scholarly Achievement

Ignatchenko is a world-recognized expert in the catalytic production of ketones through the decarboxylation of acids, boasting an impressive 15 years of academic experience alongside eight years in the industrial sector. Currently serving as an associate professor at Fisher, Ignatchenko has made significant contributions to the field of catalysis, both through innovative research and dedicated teaching.

His research interests are diverse and impactful, encompassing materials design and synthesis via organic chemistry methods, mechanisms of organic reactions on surfaces, and DFT computational modeling of surfaces and surface reactions. In addition to his research, Ignatchenko has been an active organizer within the scientific community, notably leading the American Chemical Society (ACS) Spring 2019 catalysis symposium “Elucidation of Mechanisms & Kinetics on Surfaces” and the catalysis session at the North Eastern Regional ACS meeting NERM2022. His output includes 12 patents and 29 publications in peer-reviewed journals, showcasing a unique combination of computational and experimental approaches.

Ignatchenko has also contributed significantly to the academic community through his role as a reviewer for National Science Foundation panels, Department of Education grant applications under the SBIR-STTR program, and for 12 prestigious journals, including the Journal of Nanoparticle Research, Chemistry – A European Journal, and ACS Catalysis.

With 11 years of teaching experience, Ignatchenko has instructed courses in organic chemistry, computational chemistry, and advanced topics in chemistry, while supervising the research of more than 40 undergraduate students. His commitment to education is further demonstrated by his coordination of the ACS-sponsored Chemistry Olympiad in the NW New York ACS local section since 2014.

Ignatchenko’s professional memberships and awards are numerous, including the 2022 Special Recognition Award from the Rochester Local ACS Section for coordinating the ACS National Chemistry Olympiad for high school students and the 2018 Salutes to Excellence Award for creating a new Chemical Demonstration Center at Fisher. He has been a member of the ACS since 1995 and has received accolades such as the Best Young Scientist of the Scientific Industrial Group “Altay” in 1990 and the second prize among young scientists at Moscow State University in 1987.

His professional journey includes roles as a visiting faculty at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, adjunct assistant professor at the University of North Dakota, research scientist at EERC, University of North Dakota, principal research chemist at Eastman Chemical, research associate at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and postdoctoral associate at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Ignatchenko received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Moscow State University, in Moscow, Russia.

The Awards for Teaching Excellence are chosen by students and are given annually to full-time faculty members for outstanding work in the classroom. Award recipients must demonstrate thorough knowledge of their subject matter, solid preparation for class, clear and effective communication, and genuine enthusiasm for their job.

Dr. Hugh Lambert, Award for Teaching Excellence

Prior to becoming a university professor, Lambert had a 20+ year career in business. He is a CPA and has served as a public accountant, internal auditor, and partner in a nationally recognized business valuation consultancy. He has provided expert testimony in the New York State Court system, as well as to an American Arbitration Association panel.

In addition to his extensive business experience, Lambert brings a lifelong love of learning and a passion for creating ethical, technically strong accountants who have great communication, and critical thinking skills. He trains aspiring accounting professionals as strong financial leaders of the companies, industries, and communities in which they’ll serve. Lambert has taught introductory accounting classes, as well as advanced topics in auditing, taxation, information systems, and valuation of privately held businesses. He is a family business fellow in Fisher’s Family Business Program who has moderated panels on succession planning and has helped educate “Next Gen” family business leaders about financial matters and corporate governance.

In a letter nominating Lambert for the award, a student praised him for his teaching acumen.

“Dr. Lambert is extremely helpful in making classroom concepts apply to the real, ever-evolving world of accounting. His experience in the industry helps him convey actual examples of procedures and processes in the classroom,” they wrote.

Another agreed, adding, “Throughout my time here I have found him to be one of my favorite professors. He shows a lot of interest in his students and wants them to succeed. He is always willing to help and is very understanding.”

Lambert has published papers in the CPA Journal, Tax Notes, Elder Law Attorney, and New Accountant. His research interests include taxation and tax policy, auditing and auditor judgments, and family business succession planning, as well as mental toughness, resilience, and stress management for accounting students, CPAs, and other high-performing business professionals.

After earning his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Fairfield University, Lambert pursued his MBA from New York University and his Ph.D. from the University of Scranton.

Dr. Remah Ali, Award for Teaching Excellence

Ali is a distinguished educator with over 12 years of experience in pharmacy education, making significant contributions to both traditional classroom settings and online environments. Her journey in academia began as a clinical instructor of pharmaceutical sciences at The Syrian International Private University for Science and Technology, where she was honored with the Instructor of the Year Award in 2010.

Ali pursued her advanced studies in the United States, earning a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology from Purdue University. During her time at Purdue, she was awarded the Borch Endowment Research Fellowship and the Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Endowment Research Fellowship, highlighting her exceptional research capabilities. She also holds an M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Wright State University, where she received the Graduate Student Excellence Award, and a B.Sc. in Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Kalamoon in Syria.

One student nominator wrote, “Dr. Ali is one of the most knowledgeable people I have had the chance to meet, and continues to find new and exciting ways to share information with us. Furthermore, her kindness and understanding toward each of us has been incredibly helpful with aiding us in navigating the coursework and balancing the school load with our own personal lives. She is a prime example of what every professor should strive to be, and her dedication and love for teaching are what make going to class and learning that much more enjoyable.”

Since 2021, Ali has been serving as a visiting assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences in the Wegmans School of Pharmacy. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she is actively involved in service to the academic community. She serves as School of Pharmacy delegate to the Faculty Assembly and is a member of several committees, including the Online Advisory Committee, Admissions Committee, and Professional Development Committee. She is also a member of the American Association of Cancer Research and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

“She has a deep interest in all of her students and our success,” wrote another student nominator. “She pushed me to learn, interact, and advocate for myself, which was something that I truly needed.”

Her contributions to pharmacy education have been recognized with numerous honors and awards, including the Teacher of the Year Award from St. John Fisher University in 2023, and the prestigious Fulbright Science & Technology Scholarship in 2011.