Awards and Recognition

Paul Orchard is quoted in the Wired story “In a World First, a Patient's Antibody Cells Were Just Genetically Engineered;” Joanne Slavin is quoted in the New York Times story “Are Flaxseeds All That?;” Neil McKay is interviewed at MPR News about the Dakota phrase that will be on the new state seal; Jeff Bender is quoted in USA Today about why “eggflation” isn’t over; Christy Boraas is interviewed in a KARE 11 story about how a Supreme Court decision on the abortion pill could restrict access in Minnesota; Myles Shaver is quoted in Twin Cities Business about whether high taxes are driving people out of Minnesota; Rebecca Wurtz is quoted in USA Today about a growing COVID-19 variant that has taken off this holiday season and how to protect yourself; William Northrop is quoted in a KARE 11 story about how warming up your car before driving in cold weather can damage the engine; Matt Simcik is interviewed in a KSTP story about ‘forever chemicals’ in Minnesota and the Pentagon’s view that PFAS are crucial to national security.

Professor Jenna Marquard, Cora Meidl Siehl Chair in Nursing Research for Improved Patient Care, was inducted into the American College of Medical Informatics (ACMI) during a ceremony in November. The ACMI is a college of elected fellows who have made significant and sustained contributions to the field of medical informatics. It is the central body for a community of scholars and practitioners who are committed to advancing the informatics field.

Ann Masten, Regents Professor in the Institute of Child Development (ICD), has received the 2024 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Psychology for her landmark body of work that identified “ordinary magic” as a contributor to resilience in children. Over the course of Masten’s career in resilience science, which began in the 1970s, she has uncovered adaptive processes and factors that support the ability of individuals to overcome adversity and harmful experiences.

Humphrey School Professor Samuel Myers Jr. has been awarded a two-year, $417,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study racial disparities in drowning deaths. The objective of the research is to assess the effectiveness of public policies—such as boating regulations, swimming pool standards, learn-to-swim initiatives, and lifeguard training—at reducing drowning deaths, and for whom.

Laura Fingerson has joined the Research and Innovation Office (RIO) leadership team as its new assistant vice president for research and chief of staff. She will oversee RIO operations and assist VP Shashank Priya with a broad spectrum of executive responsibilities and commitments, including planning, coordinating, and implementing the research agenda and serving as an important liaison with University leadership staff. Fingerson has held leadership roles in higher education administration for over 10 years, most recently with Strategic Education, and has a strong background in institutional evaluation and effectiveness. Fingerson takes over the role from long-time RIO chief of staff Lisa Warren, who is retiring in January.

Nfamara Dampha is quoted in the MPR News story “U of M scientist advocates for developing countries at global climate summit;” Carley Rice is quoted in a Star Tribune story about sustainable holiday decorating ideas; Priscilla Flynn is quoted in the Sahan Journal story about combatting a distrust of tap water; Bill Doherty is interviewed in a MPR News story about how to have hard political conversations; Frank Douma is quoted in the Minnesota Reformer story “People with disabilities hope autonomous vehicles deliver independence;” Tonya Schoenfuss is quoted in the New York Times story “This May Be the World's Smelliest Cheese;” Susan Hafenstein and Carol Bator are mentioned in a KTTC TV about Hormel Institute research that may have discovered a key to eradicating poliovirus; Tom Hoverstad is quoted in a Mankato Free Press about the warm and dry November and December.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities engineering professor Georgios Giannakis has been elected as a 2023 International Fellow for the Royal Academy of Engineering. He is one of only 73 leading figures in engineering and technology worldwide to be honored this year. The fellows are honored for their exceptional contributions to pioneering new innovations, leading progress in business or academia, providing high level advice to government agencies, or promoting wider understanding of engineering and technology.

Amy Hewitt, director of the Institute on Community Integration and professor in educational psychology, has been awarded the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) George S. Jesien Distinguished Achievement Award. The honor is in recognition of her career of excellence and leadership in support of AUCD’s mission to advance policy and practice for and with people living with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.

Matt Simcik is quoted in an MPR News story about cities struggling with the costs of removing PFAS from drinking water; Sarah Jackson is interviewed in “Gifts aplenty at AppleHouse Holiday Boutique” at CBS Minnesota; Julie Weisenhorn is quoted in a Mankato Free Press story about gardeners preparing for hardiness zone changes; Tiffany Wolf is quoted in the New York Times story “There's a Moose on the Loose in Minnesota;” Jay Austin is quoted in a CBS Minnesota story about Lake Superior, now one of the fastest warming lakes in the world; Abby Schuft is quoted in a Post-Bulletin story about how expanded rural broadband could help combat bird flu; Clarence Shannon is interviewed at MPR News about the connection between chronic pain and cold weather; George John is interviewed in Fox Business about how a credit card debt crisis paired with potential record holiday spending threatens an uncertain economy; David Samuels is quoted in the Star Tribune story “Cargill speeds up timeline to end deforestation in Brazil. Will it be enough?;” Peter Neff is quoted in The Globe and Mail's "Unearthing climate history frozen in time;" Jason Wolff is highlighted in the Architectural Digest story "How to Move with a Child Who Has Autism Spectrum Disorder."

Researchers from the College of Veterinary Medicine along with collaborating institutions in the U.S. and UK received $3.5 million in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the National Science Foundation, and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, to study the transmission of viruses during “commingling events”—when unfamiliar animals or people come together in a defined space and time with intensive and sustained contact. The researchers, led by Noelle Noyes, associate professor in the U of M College of Veterinary Medicine, will work with partners to untangle these dynamics.