Awards and Recognition

The American Psychological Association (APA) Fellows Committee has elected Abigail Gewirtz, professor and director of the Institute for Translational Research in Children’s Mental Health, to fellow status in the APA American Psychological Association.

Sheila Williams Ridge is quoted in The Atlantic about why kids love garbage trucks so much; Chris Moertel and Michael Olin are interviewed in a FOX 9 story on the U of M’s work towards a groundbreaking treatment for brain tumors in kids; Jeff Hahn and Rob Venette are quoted in a Pioneer Press (PDF) story about how aggressive action in Minnesota has slowed the spread of a tree-killing beetle; Matthew Clark is quoted in City Pages about the development of science-driven Minnesota wines; Michael Rodriguez is quoted in MPR News about a recommendations to close Minnesota’s education gaps; Fang Yu is quoted in a Star Tribune story about aging and outdoors activity; Philip Zelazo helps answer the question, “Why is waiting so hard for kids?” at Greater Good Magazine.

Two U of M researchers have been named 2019 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellows. John Downing, professor at the U of M Duluth and director of Minnesota Sea Grant, and Craig Packer, professor at the U of M Twin Cities and director of the Lion Research Center, are among the 443 members honored this year by AAAS because of their efforts to advance science and its applications.

Tadd Johnson has been named the University of Minnesota’s first senior director of American Indian Tribal Nations Relations. In this inaugural role, Johnson will serve as the liaison between the University of Minnesota and regional Tribal Nations, creating pathways for strong collaborations.

Rick Huebsch has been named director of technology commercialization following a national search. Huebsch takes the helm of an experienced technology commercialization office that is recognized as a leader among its national peers. The office is responsible for managing the technology commercialization activities for the University of Minnesota through directing patenting, licensing, startup, and business development activities. Huebsch had served as the office’s interim executive director for the previous 18 months.

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities ranks 6th among U.S. public universities in Reuters’s 2019 list of the World’s Most Innovative Universities. The global ranking, released in late October, aims to identify the institutions doing the most to advance science, invent new technologies, and power new markets and industries, according to Reuters. This year’s ranking placed the University of Minnesota System, which includes all five of U of M campuses, at 22nd in the world, up from 27th last year. When counting both public and private institutions, the U of M ranks 16th among U.S. universities.

Erika Lee is quoted in the New York Times (PDF) story, “Visiting the Relatives”; Stephen Schondelmeyer comments in Consumer Reports on the rise of prescription drug prices; Joseph Topczewski and Josh Marell are quoted in the Popular Science story, “How to tell if your cleaning supplies are about to kill you”; Phyllis Moen is quoted in a Fortune story about Microsoft’s experimentation with a four-day workweek; Tom VanHeuvelen is quoted in a New York Times (PDF) story showing four decades of rising inequality in American cities; Thomas Stoffregen is quoted in The Economist (PDF) about virtual reality making people sick; Benjamin Toff is quoted in a New York Times (PDF) story showing voters are worn out by a fog of political news; a new "T-suite" surgical room at the U of M is already having an impact in patient care, with comments from Clark Chen at Kare 11.

Rachel Croson has been named the University’s next executive vice president and provost. Pending Board of Regents approval, Croson will join the University on March 30. Croson comes to Minnesota from Michigan State University, where she has served as dean of the College of Social Science since 2016. She is also a Michigan State University Foundation Professor of Economics. Croson completed her undergraduate work in economics and philosophy with a minor in political science at the University of Pennsylvania before receiving her master’s degree and doctorate in economics from Harvard.

The Academies for Excellence recognizes outstanding faculty in the areas of scientific research, educational scholarship, clinical practice, and team science. Members are elected to lifetime membership in one of four academies: the Academy for Excellence in Health Research; the Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning; the Academy for Excellence in Clinical Practice; and the Academy for Excellence in Team Science. See the 2019 inductees.

Amanda Sullivan, Birkmaier Education Leadership Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, received a new $1.25 million grant to support interdisciplinary training to advance learning disability services in Minnesota. Project I-LEAD: Interdisciplinary Learning Disability Education to Advance Development is part of the federal Interdisciplinary Preparation in Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services for Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs program. It provides funding for the preparation of 18 school psychologists and special educators with expertise in research-based supports and individualized instruction for students with high-intensity learning disabilities.