American University’s College of Arts and Sciences is proud to announce the installation of three prestigious endowed faculty chairs, Anthony Riley, Stefano Costanzi, and Jin Y. Park. Spanning disciplines from neuroscience to chemistry and philosophy, these individuals exemplify the depth and diversity of liberal arts scholarship within the College.

The ceremony, held on February 18 in the Hall of Science, was led by Acting Provost Vicky Wilkins, underscoring AU’s commitment to academic excellence and faculty achievement. This milestone comes as American University recently achieved the prestigious R1 research designation, the highest classification for research universities in the United States, awarded by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.  

College of Arts and Sciences Dean Linda Aldoory describes how humbling it is to be able to honor such a prestigious group of scholars. “It’s a testament to the dedication of our faculty and the generosity of our donors, who are helping to advance groundbreaking research and enrich the academic journey of future College of Arts and Sciences students.”

Meet the esteemed faculty members whose contributions to scholarship and education are shaping the future:

Professor Anthony Riley has been appointed to the Trone Family Eminent Scholar Chair in Neuroscience and Behavior in recognition of his pioneering work addressing mental health, addiction, and cognitive disorders. His research bridges the gap between scientific discovery and real-world solutions.

Professor Stefano Costanzi is the new Horace S. and May Davidson Isbell Faculty Chair in Chemistry and Policy, which honors his interdisciplinary approach to chemistry and policy, particularly his work on countering chemical weapons and enhancing global security.

Professor Jin Y. Park has been named to the William Fraser McDowell Professorship, acknowledging her outstanding research in Buddhist philosophy and intercultural ethics, as well as her commitment to public scholarship that focuses on social equity and nonviolence.  

Professor Anthony Riley
Trone Family Eminent Scholar Chair in Neuroscience and Behavior

Left to right: Dean Linda Aldoory, Tony Riley, Provost Vicki Wilkins. Photo by Jeff Watts

Professor Anthony “Tony” Riley has been named the Trone Family Eminent Scholar Chair in Neuroscience and Behavior in recognition of his pioneering research.  

Established by the David and June Trone Family Foundation, the endowed chair supports innovative approaches to tackling addiction, cognitive disorders, and other pressing public health challenges—bridging the gap between scientific discovery, policy, and real-world impact. AU Board of Trustees member and former US Representative David Trone, D-Md., and his wife, June, made the gift through the David and June Trone Family Foundation. This gift follows their long history of philanthropic support at the University.

For 50 years, Riley has explored what drives drug use and addiction, studying factors like age, sex, genetics, and drug history. His research also looks at emerging synthetic drugs before they’re officially classified. At American University, he collaborates with colleagues to examine how diet affects vulnerability to cocaine and fentanyl and how HIV influences drug use and addiction. His work helps uncover new risks and potential interventions in substance use disorders.

Most recently, Riley’s team has been investigating how the body senses and processes the effects of drugs—and how disruptions in this process might contribute to increased drug use and loss of dysregulation.  

“We are exploring as well how drug history may impact the potential use of psychedelics in therapeutic interventions of PTSD, depression and substance use disorder in general. Many of these drug interactions (with HIV, diet, and drug history) involve changes in cognitive function that argue that understanding such changes may be instrumental in drug treatment and prevention,” says Riley. “The support provided by the Trone Chair will directly impact our work addressing the neuroscience of behavioral pathology and its implications for public health. Further, it will increase the visibility and importance of AU as a university committed to basic research in the life sciences.”

Professor Stefano Costanzi
Horace S. and May Davidson Isbell Faculty Chair in Chemistry and Policy

Left to right: Dean Linda Aldoory, Stefano Costanzi, Provost Vicki Wilkins. Photo by Jeff Watts

Stefano Costanzi has been named the Horace S. and May Davidson Isbell Faculty Chair in Chemistry and Policy in recognition of his interdisciplinary excellence in chemistry, policy, and information technology. The endowed Faculty Chair was part of the generous Horace S. and May Davidson Isbell Fund created in 1983 to support and promote research in natural products.  

Costanzi’s research focuses on chemical weapons countermeasures, arms control, and nonproliferation. Developing computational tools and leveraging large language models, he aims to enhance global security by streamlining the process of determining, based on a chemical’s name, whether it is subject to regulatory controls. Through his involvement with the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition and other international initiatives, he contributes to policy discussions and strategies to mitigate chemical threats. Through partnerships at American University and beyond, he aims to translate research into real-world solutions.

Costanzi says that a crucial element of his work is educating and mentoring the scientists, policymakers, and thought leaders of tomorrow. He oversees AU's Science and Policy Undergraduate Certificate and teaches courses on chemical weapons, biochemistry, and dual-use research that will empower students to navigate scientific complexity, policy frameworks, and ethical considerations. He will also continue to incorporate cutting-edge technologies into his curriculum, ensuring that students are well-versed in AI tools and computational analyses—ready to lead and innovate in diverse professional arenas. 

“The resources provided by the Isbell Faculty Chair, he says, “will allow me to amplify and accelerate my interdisciplinary work, expanding collaborative projects within and outside the university and increasing the translational impact of my research.”

Professor Jin Y. Park
William Fraser McDowell Professorship

Left to right: Dean Linda Aldoory, Jin Park, Provost Vicki Wilkins. Photo by Jeff Watts

Jin Y. Park has been awarded the William Fraser McDowell Professorship in recognition of her outstanding scholarly achievements, her international recognition, and her service to the field of philosophy and religion. The professorship was established in 1937 by the Board of Trustees as a permanent memorial endowment honoring Bishop McDowell, a longtime trustee and friend of the University.

Park’s research focuses on Buddhist philosophy, intercultural ethics, and modern East Asian philosophy. As the McDowell Chair Professor, she will continue to explore issues of social equity in the context of marginality and investigate how nonviolence can guide us toward a more equitable society, while addressing the current violence and polarization in our society. She will also bring back the McDowell Conference to American University, which has been on hold since the pandemic, and invite diverse scholars to campus to share their insights with the community.

“The McDowell Chair Professorship will help me advance my research on marginality, violence/nonviolence, and gender,” Park says. “I also plan to deepen my involvement in public scholarship, with the aim of sharing my work with a wider audience and introducing diverse perspectives to American society through non-Western thought traditions, women’s voices, and the voices of other marginalized groups."