IN THIS ISSUE: COMMERCE AND BUSINESS | ENGINEERING | VET MED
commerce and business administration
Xuming He, professor of statistics and director of the Illinois Statistics Office, has been named a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics. The honor recognizes his fundamental contributions to the theory and practice of statistics in a number of areas, including robust statistics, regression quantiles, data smoothing, data depth, and the MCMC bootstrap; consulting in government and industry, including directing the Illinois Statistics Office; excellence in teaching and mentoring of young researchers; and service to the profession in editorial and other organizational duties.
engineering
Gul Agha, professor of computer science, was elected to the European Academy of Sciences. Some 520 members have been elected in recognition of their contributions to science. The academy is a multi-national body that promotes science and technology, scientific cooperation, and creates centers for research.
veterinary medicine
Robert Clarkson, professor of veterinary clinical medicine, served as a member of an advisory panel at Cornell University to help develop an NIH-funded electron paramagnetic resonance center. He also gave an invited lecture at the conference “Lanthanide Chemistry for Diagnosis and Therapy” in Heidelberg, Germany, in July.
Wanda Haschek-Hock, professor of veterinary pathobiology, was elected secretary-treasurer of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology. The three-year term began at the group’s annual meeting in June. She also was selected to serve during 2003 as secretary for a regional research project, “NC-129 Mycotoxins in Cereal Grains.” She will serve as vice-chair during 2004 and chair for 2005.
Herbert E. Whiteley, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine during an awards ceremony Sept. 25. Whiteley, who earned a Purdue DVM in 1977, received the award for his contributions to comparative ophthalmic pathology, his broad influence on veterinary medical education, and his teaching skills that have inspired both his peers and his students. Awardees, eligible five years after earning the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, are nominated by their peers and selected by a screening committee that includes School of Veterinary Medicine alumni and faculty members. Whiteley also was named to serve on the Illinois State Board of Health. The board advises the department director on public health policy, emergencies, and control of health hazards; reviews department rules and program proposals; and recommends solutions to public health issues.