Missouri S&T has named two new Kummer Impact Professors, a five-year appointment recognizing faculty for their contributions to research and S&T’s national reputation.   

Dr. Amy Belfi, an associate professor of psychological science, will begin her appointment on July 1. Dr. Rui Bo, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, will begin his appointment on Sept. 1.  

Belfi earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Iowa, focusing on music, emotion and memory with patients who had focal brain damage, then completed a postdoctoral position at New York University. She joined the S&T faculty in 2017. Belfi’s research, which has received funding from the National Institutes of Health, focuses on music and health, specifically with memory triggers and emotions in older adults.   

“It is an incredible honor to be selected as a Kummer Impact Professor,” Belfi says. “Given that S&T has primarily been focused on engineering, it is especially meaningful that I was selected for this role coming from a non-engineering discipline. I am absolutely thrilled to be raising the profile of psychology on campus as well as raising the profile of S&T in the psychology community at large.”  

With this new role, Belfi will support her first student in S&T’s new Ph.D. program in psychology and begin studies investigating the neural correlates of music-evoked memories in younger and older adults to improve memory functioning as people age.  

“Dr. Belfi has had a profound impact on our students and campus since joining the S&T community,” says Dr. Clair Reynolds Kueny, chair of psychological science. “Her work as both a mentor and researcher continue to put the psychological science department and S&T on the map for this critical work.” 

Bo earned a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2009. He then worked as a principal engineer and project manager for Midcontinent Independent Transmission System Operator, one of the world’s largest energy market operators. He also joined S&T’s faculty in 2017. 

“Dr. Bo is a prolific researcher widely respected for his contributions to power grid analysis,” says Dr. Jonathan Kimball, chair and Fred W. Finley Distinguished Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering. “He is constantly searching for new ways to enhance the economic operation and resilience of our electricity supply. He is passionate about impacting the future of society through his research and in the classroom.” 

In his new role, Bo will lead large, interdisciplinary research initiatives that align with the strategic goals of the Kummer Institute and S&T.   

“Being chosen as a Kummer Impact Professor is a tremendous honor that holds deep personal and professional significance for both me and my research group,” he says. “This recognition validates the value and impact of our ongoing research and innovation, while also providing essential support for our graduate students’ work. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to our field, drive further innovation and positively impact our community.”  

“I plan to use the resources provided by this role to support and empower our graduate students in their research endeavors, while also fostering greater collaboration across various disciplines,” he says. “These efforts aim to advance innovative solutions and further elevate our institution’s national standing.”