Circle of Excellence 2026
2026 Circle of Excellence Recipients
TEACHING
Dr. Elizabeth Waring
Dr. Elizabeth Waring is an associate professor of biology, teaching courses from introductory biology to upper-level classes in plant biology, ecology, environmental physiology and field botany. A plant ecophysiologist by training, she earned her Ph.D. from Texas Tech University and focuses her research on plant ecology, freshwater systems and environmental change. As an educator, Waring is known for her hands-on, field-based approach to teaching, helping students move beyond the classroom and into real-world scientific discovery. She has mentored dozens of students in research and is a leader in experiential science education through her work with the River Field Studies Network. In 2025, she was named a DaVinci Institute Creativity in Education Fellow in recognition of her innovative teaching.
RESEARCH
Dr. Nnamdi S. Ekesi
Dr. Nnamdi S. Ekesi is an associate professor of biology whose research advances high-impact areas at the intersection of microbiology, immunology, molecular biology and computational biology. His work focuses on host-pathogen interactions and their role in infectious disease, gut health and antimicrobial resistance. He integrates diverse approaches to understand complex biological systems and create prevention and treatment strategies. He has directly supervised more than 30 undergraduate, graduate, and optometry students and expanded research opportunities to over 60 additional students through Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs). He supports student professional development and access to STEM through initiatives such as organizing the Tahlequah Science and Technology Seminars and leading outreach and demonstrations for middle and high school students. His students regularly present at conferences and symposiums, with several receiving poster awards, and many progressing into careers in medicine, dentistry, nursing and the biomedical sciences. Through his work, Ekesi advances scientific discovery while creating meaningful, hands-on research experiences that prepare the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals.
SERVICE
Dr. Justin T. McBride
Dr. Justin T. McBride (Cherokee Nation citizen) is an associate professor in the Department of Languages and Literature and serves as the coordinator of the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program in Broken Arrow. He teaches both online and Broken Arrow-based courses in composition, grammar, linguistics, second language acquisition and Native American literature. Dr. McBride's research focuses on Native American linguistic and cultural expressions in an ethnically plural society. As the former Language Director for the Kaw Nation for nearly a decade, McBride has been actively involved in indigenous language revitalization efforts since 2001 and has served as a language consultant for numerous tribal organizations and independent language scholars on projects involving Native American language research, teaching, materials development and curriculum planning.
