IN THIS ISSUE: Administration | ACES | AHS | communication | engineering | FAA | LAS
administration
Brad Sheriff, administrative director at the UI, has been appointed to serve on the Business and Finance Committee of the Central Association of College and University Business Officers. The non-profit association represents chief business officers at more than 700 institutions throughout the north central region of the U.S. The association promotes sound principles and practices of educational business administration through both professional development programs and concerted actions in matters affecting the financial health of institutions of higher learning.
agricultural, consumer and environmental sciences
Mark David, professor in the department of natural resources and environmental sciences, has been named a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy. The award was presented at the society’s annual meeting Nov. 12-16 in Indianapolis. The meeting was held in conjunction with the Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America. It is the highest honor the society bestows on its members. David’s research is focused on the biogeochemistry of nutrients in agricultural, forested and aquatic ecosystems. He has conducted interdisciplinary research to study complex systems from a variety of approaches, focusing on the linkages between agricultural and aquatic ecosystems. Fellows are selected through a nomination and review process that analyzes nominees’ achievements in education, research, service and leadership.
Margaret (Peggy) Rosso Grossman, professor and Bock Chair in agricultural law in the department of agricultural and consumer economics, received the 2006 Professional Scholarship Award from the American Agricultural Law Association. Each year, one national award is given to recognize an outstanding publication in the field of agricultural law. Grossman won the award for her article, “Traceability and Labeling of Genetically Modified Crops, Food and Feed in the European Union,” published in the Journal of Food Law & Policy. The awards committee stated that the article “skillfully refined a complex series of European Union regulatory measures and underlying environmental principles (providing) a clear, concise and insightful resource valuable to anyone with an interest in agricultural applications of genetic engineering.”
Gary H. Heichel, professor emeritus of plant physiology and retired head of the department of crop sciences, received the 2006 Monsanto Crop Science Distinguished Career Award presented at the Crop Science Society of America Annual Meetings held Nov. 12-16 in Indianapolis. The meeting was held in conjunction with the American Society of Agronomy and Soil Science Society of America. Heichel was recognized for research on analysis of energy use by cropping systems, carbon dioxide assimilation and photosynthate partitioning and nitrogen fixation and cycling by perennial legumes in cropping systems. The award honors a crop scientist who has had an outstanding record of service over a long period of time. The award criteria include distinguished research and service to the field of crop science.
Heather Miller, program director for the Office of Continuing Education, was nominated to serve on the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education, an agricultural industry leadership council that focuses on enhancing agricultural education programs for higher standards of learning across the state at all education levels. “Heather is a great asset to the council,” said Jay Runner, coordinator of Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education. “She brings practical industry experience to the agricultural education discussion, which will be invaluable in furthering our efforts to continue to raise the quality of education and opportunities for Illinois students.”
Emerson Nafziger, professor of agronomic extension, received the 2006 Crop Science Extension Education Award, presented at the Crop Science Society of America Annual Meeting Nov. 12-16 in Indianapolis. The meeting was held in conjunction with the American Society of Agronomy and Soil Science Society of America. Nafziger conducts applied research and educational programs in the management of corn, soybean, and wheat, and of crop rotations. He helps producers and agronomic professionals solve diagnostic problems in growing crops and he applies economics to input decisions. The award is given annually in recognition of excellence in extension teaching activities in the area of crop science. The award criteria is based on educational innovation developed and used successfully and include demonstrated ability to communicate client attitudes, influence client attitudes, and motivate change in client or audience action.
applied health sciences
Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, head of the department of kinesiology and community health, was selected to be a member of the Science Board of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The board was formed in 2003 to ensure that the messages and programs of the council are scientifically sound. The board’s review and input includes the long-standing President’s Challenge program as well as many other initiatives. The board includes 10 scholars who have made significant contributions to the research and science of physical activity, fitness, health and sports.
Yang Yang, visiting professor of kinesiology, was named the “Qigong Master of the Year” at the ninth World Qigong Congress in Los Angeles. The conference is one of the most prestigious international events in the field. Top qigong masters from China, Europe, Japan and North America attended the conference. Yang spoke about his research at the UI.
communication
Christopher Benson, professor of journalism, was named on two Midwest Emmys from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the documentary “Paper Trail: 100 Years of the Chicago Defender.” Benson, associate producer and co-writer of the documentary, was recognized in the categories of “Outstanding Achievement for Documentary Programs-Documentary of Historical Significance” and “Outstanding Achievement for Individual Excellence Off Camera-Writing: Non News.” The awards were presented Nov. 19 in Chicago.
engineering
Marcelo H. Garcia, Chester and Helen Siess Professor and director of the Ven Te Chow Hydrosystems Laboratory, received the Hans Albert Einstein Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers for “outstanding research contributions to sediment transport engineering, as well as outstanding service through his visionary editorship of the upcoming revised ASCE Manual No. 54 ‘Sediment Engineering.’ ”The award committee noted Garcia’s leadership in basic hydraulic research in sedimentation with increasing interaction with chemists and biologists on the question of transport of contaminated sediments in river ecosystems.
Youssef M.A. Hashash, professor of civil and environmental engineering, received the Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers for “contributions to engineering practice and research on deep urban excavations, including state-of-the-art laser-scanning measuring techniques, numerical simulation tools to integrate field observations with modeling, field data analysis procedures for bracing load calculation and seismic design.”
George H. Miley, professor of nuclear, plasma and radiological engineering, was awarded the “Integrity in Research” award at the International Conference on Future Energy in Washington, D.C. Miley was cited for his multiple achievements in the field of fusion, including dense plasma focus work. Miley also spoke on plasma fusion at the conference.
Marianne Winslett, professor of computer science, was one of 41 fellows named by the Association for Computing Machinery for contributions to practical and theoretical aspects of computing and information technology. Winslett was recognized for her contributions to information management and security. “The breadth and depth of the contributions these computing scientists and professionals have made to our world and the way we live are remarkable,” said association president Stuart Feldman. The association is an educational and scientific society uniting the world’s computing educators, researchers and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field’s challenges.
fine and applied arts
Brian Deal, professor of architecture in the department of urban and regional planning, was awarded the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program’s Project of the Year award Nov. 28 at the 12th annual Partners in Environmental Technology Technical Symposium and Workshop in Washington, D.C. Deal received the Sustainable Infrastructure Project of the Year Award for his work on the project “The Evolving Urban Community and Military Installations: A Dynamic Spatial Decision Support System for Sustainable Military Communities.” SERDP is the Department of Defense’s environmental science and technology program, planned and executed with the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, with participation by numerous other federal and non-federal agencies.
liberal arts and sciences
John Hartwig and Wilfred van der Donk, professors of chemistry, received the 2007 Tetrahedron Young Investigator Awards. Hartwig won the award in organic synthesis and van der Donk in bioorganic and medicinal chemistry. This international award, sponsored by Tetrahedron Publications, recognizes exceptional creativity and dedication. Hartwig and van der Donk will present an award address at a symposium June 27-29 in Berlin. Hartwig is an international leader in the discovery, development and understanding of new transition metal-catalyzed reactions. Van der Donk has answered a long-standing question relating to the action of a key enzyme (COX-2) involved in the body’s physiological response to injury and infection.