Fenghai Guo, WSSU chemistry professor appointed Provost Fellow for Research, Sponsored Programs

The Winston-Salem State University Office of the Provost has named Dr. Fenghai Guo, professor of organic chemistry, as the Provost Fellow for Research & Sponsored Programs. The announcement was made March 5.

In this role, Guo will provide expert guidance and management for research in the Office of Sponsored Programs, drawing on his invaluable experience from a faculty perspective.

“Dr. Guo’s leadership and success in writing and securing extramural grants from various federal funding agencies, including the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, have proven invaluable for nearly two decades,” said Dr. Michael McKenzie, interim provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “He has supported the WSSU community through his passionate and steady mentorship of faculty and students in research and will continue to provide this type of guidance in this position.”

With his familiarity with research and innovation at WSSU, Guo will seamlessly integrate into this position and offer exceptional leadership for the university’s research-minded faculty, McKenzie said.

Guo’s work with faculty and staff will include:

• Supporting research development by collaborating with investigators to develop grant proposals and manage research grants.
• Establishing a data-driven, collaborative environment – overseeing sponsored programs while promoting interdisciplinary research across campus.
• Facilitating compliance and reporting by supporting faculty and staff in upholding the necessary regulatory and operational processes for research at WSSU.

Guo said he is excited about the opportunity and looks forward to working with faculty and staff in this role.

“My goals are to provide great customer service and make sponsored research activities a smooth process for both faculty and staff,” Guo said. “As a faculty member who has been working very closely with the Office of Sponsored Programs, I really appreciate all the hard work the OSP personnel has put in. From a faculty perspective, I can also see all the hard work the faculty members have put into writing proposals. My goal is to make the process smoother for both faculty and OSP personnel.”

Guo earned his doctorate degree in organic chemistry from Clemson University. He completed his postdoc training at the University of Texas, Austin, and Northwestern University before joining WSSU in 2012. He received the John Fountain Master Teacher Awards in 2020 and 2024, as well as the Wilveria B. Atkinson Distinguished Research Award for his research at WSSU.

Guo has mentored several students who are currently pursuing their doctorate and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees at Wake Forest University, Rice University and UNC Chapel Hill.

He will continue to serve as a professor throughout the limited-term appointment as provost fellow.

McKenzie also named Dr. Mesia Moore Steed, chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, Provost Fellow for Faculty Affairs on March 5.