Recent achievements within the University community have been won by Mark Bacon, Larry Barksdale, Erin Bauer, Alisa Belflower, Caitlin Buck, Kate Carlin, Cody Creech, Angel Coleman, Sruti Das Choudhury, Ellie Granger, Abla Hasan, David Holding, David Karle, Andrea Koeber, Justine LaViolette, Elijah Luebbe, Quinlan McFadden, Kacey Nelkin Pedersen, Ethan Petrik, Chase Porter, Nick Prosek, Emma Sidel, Paul Staswick, Jerry Volesky and Marilyn Wolf.
Honors
-
Alisa Belflowercoordinator of musical theater studies at the Glenn Korff School of Music and the Johnny Carson School of Theater and Film, was elected the National Association of Singing Teachers National Vice President for Auditions for 2022-2024. Belflower will take office immediately as vice president-elect, then take over as vice president this summer.
-
Kate Carlin, Andrea Koeber, Elijah Luebbe and Kacey Nelkin Pedersen from the Office of Research and Economic Development’s Office of Sponsored Programs have been selected for the Society of Research Administrators International’s Future of the Field Recognition Program, which aims to shine a light on newcomers who are innovating and influencing the profession of research administration. The four were selected by a committee of peers from more than 100 nominations worldwide. Selection was based on the nominees’ career history, outstanding professional growth, and significant contributions to the advancement of research administration. They have been officially recognized at SRA Annual meeting of the International in October in New Orleans.
-
Angel Coleman and Quinlan McFaddenMasters of Architecture students, have been accepted into the American Institute of Architecture Students 2022 CRIT University program. The program aims to support student research and is an exclusive opportunity for students to receive additional guidance from a professional advisor. Coleman’s research seeks to reinvent high school, integrating aspects of architecture and design to create a place where every student can find a space to learn and belong. McFadden’s research will explore how combining building typologies and land uses can achieve housing strategies that are achievable through density while maximizing visual compliance.
-
Sruti Das Choudhury, an assistant research professor in the School of Natural Resources, will lead a research team that received $50,000 from the Genome to Farm Phenomenon Initiative. The study, “Event-based Plant Phenotyping Using Deep Learning: Algorithms, Tools and Datasets,” aims to aid plant phenotyping research through image-based segmentation.
-
hunting carrier and Ethan Petrick placed in the Hearst Journalism Awards national audio competition on February 9. Porter, who graduated in May 2021 with degrees in broadcasting and philosophy, finished first for his entries, “The Progression of Lincoln Broadcaster efilex to his own radio show” and “Battle of the Joshes: How an Internet meme raised over $13,000 for Children’s Hospital and Medical Center”. Petrik, a senior sports media and communications executive and two-time broadcasting major, finished 15th for his entries, “Former sprinter Husker finds outlet in songwriting” and “As Lincoln grows, bird-friendly communities can protect native species.” Learn more about rewards.
-
David KarleProgram Director and Associate Professor of Architecture, and Mark BaconLecturer, got an honorable mention for the 2022 American Institute of Architects Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture Practice and Leadership Award. Their project, “Integrated Pedagogy”, presented an industrial partnership with GHS Concepts and creation of a student scholarship contest. It was one of three projects to win an award in the category.
-
Paul Staswick, professor of agronomy and horticulture, retired on January 3 after a 36-year career in research and teaching. Staswick’s career has focused on fundamental aspects of plant biology related to plant productivity, crop quality, and disease resistance mechanisms. Early in his career he worked on the biochemistry of soy proteins. In addition to research, Staswick has developed and taught AGRO 810 Plant Molecular Biology Course for 34 years. The course covers the molecular genetic basis of biological function in higher plants, genome organization, gene structure and function, regulation of gene expression, recombination DNA and the principles of genetic engineering.
-
marilyn wolffounding director of the School of Computing and professor of engineering Elmer E. Koch, received the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Leon K. Kirchmayer Higher Education Award 2022 for inspiring teaching of graduate students. wolf, a IEEE Fellow, has helped a new generation of researchers conceptualize, build, and validate modern embedded computing systems through influential textbooks, high-impact lectures, and graduate student mentorship.
-
The Husker Animal Welfare Judging Team placed fifth in the American Veterinary Medical Association’s annual Animal Welfare Judging competition. The team included Caitlin Buckjunior major in animal science; Ellie Granger, junior animal science and pre-veterinary major; and Nick Prosek, a first-year animal science student. Participants in the annual competition were given a structured opportunity to practice their assessment skills and present their findings to an expert panel of scientists and veterinarians with particular expertise in animal welfare.
Appointment
-
Cody Creech, associate professor of agronomy and horticulture and Nebraska Extension dryland farming systems specialist at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff, has been named the Fenster Professor of Dryland Agriculture. The chair is named for Charlie Fenster, an arid land culture specialist who served at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center for several decades. The Fenster Chair aims to perpetuate scientific advances in dryland agriculture by supporting research and extension programs that improve the profitability and sustainability of dryland agriculture in the Panhandle.
-
David Holdingprofessor at the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, started a one-year term as Associate Head of Department on January 1. He assists Martha Mamodepartment head and John Lindquistalso Associate Head of Department, in the day-to-day decisions and future planning of the department.
-
jerry voleskiprofessor of agronomy and horticulture, and Nebraska Extension range and forage specialist at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center was appointed acting director of the Center for Grassland Studies.
Works
-
Abla Hassanassociate professor of practice in modern languages and literatures, published a new academic book, “On Pain and Suffering: A Quranic Perspective” (Lexington Books) January 31. The book is an academic response to covid-19 and argues for a distinction between two fundamental Quranic stories – the creation of Adam and Eve and the exile of the devil from paradise.
-
A one-of-a-kind forensic medicine guide has been published by the departments of entomology and forensic medicine. The publication, “Death Scene Insect Succession in Nebraska: A Guidebook,” is a manual for forensic students and law enforcement personnel investigating crimes. It provides information on insect succession and patterns in Nebraska and how to collect and preserve insects of forensic significance as evidence for criminal investigations. The developers of the guide are Justine LaViolette, Erin Bauer, Larry Barksdale and Emma Sidel.
This column is a regular feature of Nebraska Today. Faculty, staff, and students can submit achievements to be considered for this column by emailing Achievements@unl.edu. For more information, call 402-472-8515.
