Two kean university professors named among world’s top 2% of scientists

UNION, N.J. — Two faculty members from Kean University have been named among the top 2% of scientists in the world, according to the 2023 Stanford/Elsevier ranking, marking a significant milestone for the university’s growing research efforts.

Professor Jennifer J. Chen, Ed.D., chair of Kean’s Department of Early Childhood Education, and Assistant Professor Supratik Kar, Ph.D., of the Department of Chemistry and Physics, were recognized among 223,152 scientists worldwide for their contributions to their respective fields.

“The well-deserved recognition of these two distinguished faculty members reflects Kean’s growing impact in advancing research and reinforces our mission as New Jersey’s first urban research university,” said Kean Vice President for Research Susannah Porterfield, Ed.D.

Chen’s work focuses on early childhood education, teacher education, and the influence of artificial intelligence on young learners. She expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that it highlights the impact of her research. “I feel incredibly blessed, honored and humbled to be among this notable list of the world’s top 2% scientists,” Chen said.

Kar, a specialist in medicinal and biomolecular chemistry, has been included in the ranking for three consecutive years. His research focuses on computer-aided drug design for viral diseases, and this year, he was also ranked in the career-long category. Kar said the recognition underscores his commitment to producing research that addresses global challenges.

“My research is driven by the goal of creating solutions that benefit society, and this recognition motivates me to continue pushing boundaries,” Kar said.

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