André Franco, an assistant professor at the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, has been selected as the latest recipient of the prestigious Fischer Faculty Fellowship.
Established through a generous gift from Burnell “Burney” and Barbara Fischer, the fellowship is designed to support early-career faculty by providing the resources to build momentum early in their academic careers by offering resources to pursue their research agendas and publishing opportunities. Franco, a soil ecologist who joined the O’Neill School in 2022, studies how global environmental changes impact soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. His work—ranging from tropical rainforests to temperate grasslands—unravels the critical roles played by soil fauna, such as nematodes and earthworms, in regulating climate and land-use responses.
“I was deeply honored to learn that I had been selected as the next Fischer Fellow,” Franco said. “As I started planning my research activities, I came to appreciate the immediate and far-reaching impact of this award on my roles as both a researcher and a mentor.”
The fellowship includes a stipend and is matched by the O’Neill School in the form of an annual course release. Franco has already utilized this support to increase efforts on grant proposals and research publications, including submitting a new proposal to the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture-Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. Additionally, he participated in a semester-long teaching academy to further strengthen his classroom instruction.
“Burney’s and Barbara’s vision is not only shaping my career at a pivotal stage but also enriching the training environment for those who have chosen to grow within my research program,” Franco added. “This support cascades outward, greatly benefiting the students and early-career scientists I mentor.”
Fischer, a clinical professor emeritus at the O’Neill School, created the fellowship to ensure that the next generation of leaders has the support needed to address pressing environmental challenges.