Meet Dr. Zulal Denaux, 2022 VSU Presidential Excellence Award for Research Honoree

Pictured are Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of Valdosta State University, and Dr. Zulal Denaux, professor of economics in the Department of Economics, Finance, and Healthcare Administration and coordinator of international programs for the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration. She is the recipient of the 2022 Presidential Excellence Award for Research.

VALDOSTA — Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of Valdosta State University, recently honored Dr. Zulal Denaux with the 2022 Presidential Excellence Award for Research. 

The Presidential Excellence Award for Research recognizes a faculty member with a strong record of creative scholarship.

Denaux joined the VSU faculty in 2002 and currently serves as a professor of economics in the Department of Economics, Finance, and Healthcare Administration. She also coordinates international programs for the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration.

Denaux enjoys teaching students about the principles of economics, international economics, econometrics, and data analysis. She is considered a subject matter expert in using statistical analysis to determine likely outcomes of various actions in the real world.

VSU: Why do you believe it is important for faculty to conduct research and contribute new knowledge to their fields?

Denaux: Research by nature is “the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.” In other words, faculty members conduct research in order to stay current and relevant in their respective area of focus. By staying current on the latest trends and innovation in our fields, we are able to equip our students with the tools needed for success in the workplace.

We learned a lot about the importance of economic research during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study of such economic theory as scarcity and its implications for the use of resources, and the production of goods and services, allowed society to make adjustments that helped us manage resources during this period.

VSU: How many publications, presentations, and other scholarship have you completed? What drives you to find time outside of teaching, mentoring, and serving the university to conduct this research?

Denaux: I have published 25 peer-reviewed articles in academic journals. I have also made 35 paper presentations at state, national, and international conferences and served on two journal editorial boards. I served as a reviewer for 20 economics journals and reviewed several research submissions to Omnino, VSU’s undergraduate research journal.

My role as a faculty member extends to research; it is part of my job. However, I enjoy conducting research because it allows me to work with our undergraduate students, my colleagues, and international scholars. As an example, this semester I am working on a research project with a Louie A. Brown visiting international scholar from Turkey.

VSU: What advice do you have for other faculty who wish to get more involved in research?

Denaux: Find a mentor or coauthor who is more experienced. In my academic journey I’ve noticed that people are always willing to work with others to help them develop their research agenda. The only requirement is that the faculty is willing to take an active part in the project.

The Presidential Excellence Award for faculty is an annual tradition at VSU, one that recognizes the diverse talents and contributions of the university’s innovative and active faculty. Awards are given for excellence in teaching, research, service, online teaching, and scholarship of teaching and learning.