Royal Society of Chemistry Journal Calls John Keith an Emerging Investigator of 2017
An assistant professor at the Swanson School of Engineering was recently recognized for his research efforts on methods to convert carbon dioxide into useful chemicals and fuels. John Keith, who is also the inaugural Richard King Mellon Faculty Fellow in Energy in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the school, was featured in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry in its list, Emerging Investigators in 2017.
The journal’s themed issue highlighted “rising stars” of materials chemistry research recommended by experts in the field. Keith studies atomic-scale reaction mechanisms to understand how to design better catalysts, whether the goal is a commodity chemical made from CO2 or an anticorrosion coating for the US Navy.
Engineering’s Wei Xiong Receives Office of Naval Research Award to Develop Next-generation Steel
A research project led by Wei Xiong, assistant professor in the Swanson School of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, has received a three-year, $449,000 award from the Office of Naval Research. The project, titled “Integrated Computational Materials Design for Additive Manufacturing of High-Strength Steels Used in Naval Environments,” aims to find novel ways to develop next-generation metals, especially new ways to manufacture steel and other alloys that would further enhance additive manufacturing — a technology that builds 3D objects by adding layer-upon-layer of material. Xiong's team also includes Pitt's Esta Abelev and Susheng Tan.
Dean of Pharmacy Patricia Kroboth Receives Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania's 2017 Woman of Distinction Award
Patricia D. Kroboth, dean of the School of Pharmacy since 2002, was one of eight recipients of the Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania's 2017 Woman of Distinction Award. The award each year honors eight women in various disciplines across the Pittsburgh area for their commitment and dedication to their field of work and community. Kroboth, who was given the award in the category of Health Care, said there is “no greater distinction” than being awarded by the Girl Scouts. “It’s wonderful,” Kroboth said. “They build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.”
Bradford's Tammy Haley Awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for Teaching and Dissemination
Tammy Haley, associate professor of nursing at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford since 2003, has been awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for Teaching and Dissemination by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. Haley is director of nursing and radiological sciences at Pitt–Bradford. The School of Public Health recognized Haley for her work using research as a means to engage students, enhance her teaching, add to the body of knowledge in her field and provide service to the global community.
Lindsay C. Page Awarded Education Postdoctoral Fellowship
Lindsay C. Page has been awarded a 2017 NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship from the National Academy of Education. The program supports important research as well as career development opportunities for scholars with potential to make significant contributions to the field of education. One of only 30 postdoctoral fellows in 2017, Page was awarded $70,000 to support her research on improving postsecondary outcomes among college students who are from low-income backgrounds or who are first in their family to attend college. Page is an assistant professor of research methodology in Pitt’s School of Education and a research scientist in the University’s Learning Research and Development Center.
Pitt Alumnus Samir Lakhani Named CNN Hero
Samir Lakhani's (A&S '14) nonprofit project in Cambodia, called Eco-Soap Bank, recycles discarded bars of soap from hotels and distributes it to people in need. Read more about Lakhani and Eco-Soap Bank at CNN.
James Van Poolen Named the National HDI Analyst of the Year
A support analyst who helps provide technical services throughout campus has been named the National HDI Analyst of the Year. James Van Poolen, 31, who has worked at Pitt’s Financial Information Systems for two and a half years, won a national competition for his understanding of industry standards and his commitment to excellent service. Van Poolen and his colleagues support more than 750 customers and respond to more than 500 requests for IT help across campus every month. He accepted his award at a national competition in Washington D.C.
Dave Brienza Recognized for Pressure Ulcer Care
Dave Brienza, associate dean of research in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, received the National Pressure Ulcer Advisor Panel’s Kosiak Award for his significant contributions to the prevention and/or management of pressure injuries. Brienza, a leader in the wound care provider community, received the award at NPUAP's 2017 Biennial Conference in New Orleans.
Pitt-Bradford Recognizes Faculty Members for Years of Service
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Pitt Pharmacy's Kim Coley Named Chair of Editorial Board
Pharmacy faculty member Kim Coley was appointed as chair of the editorial board for the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association’s Pennsylvania Pharmacist publication.
The Pennsylvania Pharmacist is a peer-reviewed publication that includes feature articles; legislative, legal and regulatory information; industry trends; association information; and peer-reviewed articles on pertinent pharmacy subjects.
Coley is a faculty member in the pharmacy and therapeutics department.
Donna Huryn Awarded Fellowship at University of Bologna
Pharmacy faculty member Donna Huryn has been awarded a senior visiting fellowship at the Institute of Advanced Studies of the Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna. She will be spending July in residence at the university in order to collaborate with researchers in pharmacy and biotechnology.
Sean Kelly Selected 2016 Outstanding Reviewer
Education faculty member Sean Kelly has been chosen as a 2016 Outstanding Reviewer by the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis.
Kelly will be honored at the AERA journal publications committee reception April 28, during AERA’s annual meeting.
Pitt Photographer Honored for Sports Photo
Mike Drazdzinski, a digital image specialist/photographer in the University Center for Teaching and Learning, was a winner for the second year in a row in the annual International Color Awards. His Pitt basketball image, “Jumpmen,” received an honorable mention in the sport category.
Winners were selected from 6,178 entries from 75 countries. Entries are posted at the International Color Awards' website.
2017 Carnegie Science Awards Honorees
Seven Pitt faculty members are among the 2017 Carnegie Science Awards honorees:
- Kevin P. Chen, the Paul E. Lego Professor in Electrical Engineering in the Swanson School of Engineering’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is the winner in the Innovation in Energy category.
- Alex Jones, faculty member in the Swanson school’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of the computer engineering program, is the winner in the Innovation in Technology category.
- John Kellum, faculty member and vice chair for research in the School of Medicine’s Department of Critical Care Medicine, director of the Center for Critical Care Nephrology and director of the Center for Assistance in Research Using eRecord, is the winner in the Life Sciences category.
- Chandralekha Singh, faculty member in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences Department of Physics and Astronomy and director of the Discipline-based Science Education Research Center, is the winner in the University/Post Secondary Educator category.
- Kara Bernstein, faculty member in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, received an honorable mention in the Emerging Female Scientist category.
- Emily Elliott, faculty member in the Dietrich School’s Department of Geology and Environmental Science, received an honorable mention in the Environmental category.
- Peyman Givi, Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, the James T. MacLeod Professor and co-director of the PhD program in computational modeling and simulation in the Swanson school’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, received an honorable mention in the University/Post-Secondary Educator category.
Carnegie Science Center established the awards program in 1997 to recognize and promote outstanding science and technology achievements in western Pennsylvania. Winners will be honored May 12 at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland.
Pitt Professors Awarded for Groundbreaking Research Discoveries
Pitt School of Medicine professors Yuan Chang and Patrick S. Moore will receive the 2017 Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize, one of medicine’s most prestigious prizes. The award is given annually to medical researchers who have made significant contributions in the fields of immunology, cancer research, microbiology, and chemotherapy.
The duo’s lab, currently located within the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, is credited with discovering two of the seven known human viruses that directly cause cancer. Chang and Moore discovered the Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus, or human herpesvirus 8 (KSHV/HHV8) in 1994. The virus causes Kaposi's sarcoma, the most common AIDS-related malignancy and one of the most frequently occurring cancers in Africa. Prior to this discovery, medical researchers had worked for nearly 15 years to find an infectious agent associated with Kaposi's sarcoma. The pair also identified Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV)—the cause of Merkel cell carcinoma, one of the world's most clinically aggressive skin cancers—in 2008.
The two have been widely recognized for their work, which has garnered some of the highest national and international honors in medicine, infectious disease and cancer.
Kenyon Bonner Honored by Alma Mater for Leadership
Washington & Jefferson College will honor alumnus Kenyon R. Bonner, vice provost and dean of students at the University of Pittsburgh, with its 2017 Maurice Cleveland Waltersdorf Award for Innovative Leadership. The award, named for an economics professor at W&J, recognizes outstanding alumni and students who attain a high level of achievement and exemplify spirit and leadership qualities.
Jean Truman Named Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at Pitt-Bradford
Jean Truman will become assistant dean of academic affairs at Pitt-Bradford at the end of the spring term. A faculty member in nursing, Truman is coordinator of the Associate of Science in Nursing program and teaches in the RN-BSN program.
In her new role, she will focus on academic assessment efforts while continuing to teach in the nursing program.
Truman holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Case Western and received the Pitt-Bradford Alumni Association Teaching Excellence Award in 2015.
Debora Miller Honored by American Physical Therapy Association for Leadership
The Section on Health Policy and Administration of the American Physical Therapy Association has given Debora L. Miller its LAMPLighter Award for Leadership.
Miller is vice dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, vice chair of compliance and administration and a faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy.
SHRS Names Rory Cooper Associate Dean for Inclusion
The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences recently appointed Rory Cooper as its associate dean for inclusion. Cooper, distinguished professor and FISA/Paralyzed Veterans of America chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, also is director of the Human Engineering Research Laboratories.
SHRS Dean Anthony Delitto said: “Dr. Cooper is a most appropriate choice to fill the role of associate dean for inclusion in our school. He has a personal and professional understanding of and appreciation for the needs of people with disabilities and has worked tirelessly to improve access to services, education, housing and transportation and is a strong, visible advocate for the disabilities community.”
Cooper has 20 patents awarded or pending, has authored or co-authored over 300 peer-reviewed journal publications, and has co-authored two books and co-edited three others including "Care of the Combat Amputee."
Pitt's John Wallace and Hashaam Jamil Receive Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Awards
School of Social Work faculty member John Wallace and Pitt junior psychology and sociology major Hashaam Jamil were among the awardees in Coro Pittsburgh’s 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Awards. The annual awards recognize those who have honored King’s legacy by demonstrating an inclusive approach to leadership.
Wallace received the Distinguished Individual Leadership Award and Jamil received the Distinguished Emerging Leadership Award in a Jan. 28 ceremony at the DoubleTree in Downtown Pittsburgh.