Martinez Named First Moorman STEM Endowed Professor at Southern Miss

Tue, 10/28/2025 - 09:44am | By: Dr. David Tisdale

Dr. Jose Martinez says being named the first Moorman STEM Endowed Professor at The University of Southern Mississippi is an honor that also carries significant responsibility, and he’s looking forward to the task at hand.

A member of the Southern Miss School of Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering (SCSCE) faculty since the fall of 2022, Martinez’s duties in this new role include overseeing the activities of students in the university’s Moorman STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Jump Scholars program.

While the Moorman STEM professorship is awarded on an annual basis, its focus on meaningful student engagement encourages recipients to serve for multiple years, fostering enduring relationships and long-term impact.

“As the first Moorman STEM Endowed Professor, I aim to establish high standards in support, advisement, research, and other areas that Moorman scholars need to succeed in their college years,” Martinez said. “We want students to be well prepared for the challenges they will face once they graduate from Southern Miss.”

Wick and Randall Moorman, sons of the late Southern Miss administrator and English professor Dr. Charles Moorman, established the Moorman STEM Professorship to support a faculty member working with students in these fields. Their commitment to STEM education at the university also includes their financial gift to create the Moorman STEM Jump Scholarship, which supports students majoring in a STEM field who come from underrepresented and at-risk backgrounds.

Martinez’s research expertise includes artificial intelligence-based navigation and mapping techniques for terrestrial robotic systems. A previous nominee for Assistant Teaching Professor of the Year, he holds a master’s degree from Southern Miss and a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University.

“Dr. Martinez exemplifies the spirit of innovation and outreach that the Moorman STEM Endowed Professorship was created to recognize,” said Dr. Sarah Lee, director of the SCSCE. “His leadership of the university’s robotics program and his dedication to engaging students in STEM learning continue to have a lasting impact on our students and community.”

Students’ majors in the Moorman Jump Scholarship program span multiple STEM fields, including biology, computer science, mathematics, criminal justice and forensic science. The one common denominator among them is a passion for research—a passion Martinez looks forward to cultivating and supporting.

“We all have something in common, and that is we are interested in research in the STEM fields,” Martinez said. “I can guide them [students] through their research activities by providing advisement on best practices, processes and procedures. Additionally, interdisciplinary research opens numerous opportunities. That is always beneficial and something we should not overlook as STEM researchers.”

College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Chris Winstead described Martinez as “a highly engaged faculty member whose commitment to student outreach and connection is widely recognized.”

“With expertise in information systems and robotics, he is uniquely positioned to inspire and engage students across science, engineering and technology in our STEM programs,” Winstead continued. “Through this professorship and the Moorman Jump Scholars program, he will make a significant and lasting impact on our students.”

Learn more about the endowment here.