Awards and Recognition

The University of Minnesota will lead a five-year, $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create an international “network-of-networks” that seeks to accelerate the discovery and development of quantum information systems. Quantum sciences are key to creating the next generation of computing and communications systems. The project, which is called Global Quantum Leap (GQL), will create a close link between nanofabrication and quantum technology, a connection that so far has been lagging and that will require a worldwide effort. The network will be led by University of Minnesota Professor Steven Koester, the Louis John Schnell Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering in the University’s College of Science and Engineering.

A multi-region, multi-institution research and outreach proposal led by the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has been awarded a two-year, $1 million grant to assess the impact of COVID-19 on food and agricultural systems and to develop strategies for coping with future crises. Lessons from COVID-19: Positioning Regional Food Supply Chains for Future Pandemics, Natural Disasters and Human-made Crises is one of 17 projects nationwide to receive funding through a new program area of the USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative targeting rapid response solutions to the pandemic through applied research, education and extension activities. 

Tai Mendenhall, Department of Family Social Science, has been honored with the Excellence in Professional/Clinical Practice Award from the Families and Health Section of the National Council on Family Relations.

David Johnson, Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development, is the 2020 recipient of the Council for Exceptional Children‘s Division on Career Development and Transition Patricia L. Sitlington Research Award in secondary special education and transition. The award is presented to an individual who has contributed to positive outcomes for transition-aged youth with disabilities and the field through amassing a body of research. The award is named in honor of Patricia L. Sitlington, a distinguished leader who has contributed significantly to knowledge in the field through research. 

Christopher Federico is quoted at CNBC about the psychology of why so many people don't vote; Sayeh Nikpay is quoted in Reuters about how health plans from Biden and Trump would affect the U.S. economy; Peter Sorensen is quoted in a Minnesota Public Radio story about thousands of goldfish removed from a Twin Cities lake; Paloma Gonzalez-Bellido is quoted in the New York Times story, “When It Comes to Octopuses, Taste Is for Suckers”; Mark Schleiss is quoted in Verywell Health about the question of herd immunity through COVID-19 infection; Beth Thielen is quoted in Time about how to safely socialize indoors this winter; Richelle Moen was interviewed by The Current about how to talk with family about divergent politics; Doug Hartmann is quoted in a USA Today story about NBA players prioritizing social justice initiatives over symbolic protests next season.

The University of Minnesota Medical School’s Department of Family Medicine and Community Health is excited to announce the creation of the Josie Robinson Johnson Endowed Chair in Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and to appoint Andrea Westby, as the inaugural holder. This chair honors the significant and ongoing contributions of civil rights activist and community leader, Josie Robinson Johnson. Johnson has dedicated her life to promoting equality and inclusion while breaking down barriers to access education, housing and employment. Her work has left a lasting imprint on the nation and made a profound impact on countless lives. 

Paulo Kofuji and Alfonso Araque, both in the Department of Neuroscience, recently received a five-year, $2.2 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to study how manipulation of astrocytes—glial cells in the brain—in the brain’s amygdala regulate fear.

Economics Professor Loukas Karabarbounis was recently awarded the 2019 Bernácer Prize “for his influential research on the interaction between labor and capital market imperfections and macroeconomic outcomes." The Bernácer Prize is awarded annually to European economists under the age of 40 who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of macroeconomics and finance.

The University of Minnesota’s Community-University Health Care Center (CUHCC) in Minneapolis received an “Excellence in Health Care” award from UCare for their quality care in prepaid medical assistance and MNCare. CUHCC was one of two Federally Qualified Health Centers to receive an award this year at UCare’s annual “A Salute to Excellence!” The event recognized 21 clinics and care systems in Minnesota for top results in the 2019 Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set measures.

Jakub Tolar is interviewed at CBS Local about COVID treatments; Ann Masten is quoted in The Wall Street Journal about ways to recharge as the pandemic drags on; Marlene Zuk is quoted in the NBC Today story, “Gay male penguins steal lesbian couple's eggs at Dutch Zoo”; Michael Osterholm is quoted in the Washington Post about the U.S. hitting its highest daily number of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began; Paul Vaaler is quoted in a New York Times story about the antitrust suit against Google; a U.S. orchestra study has found that the trumpet is the riskiest instrument for spreading COVID-19, with comments from researcher Jiarong Hong at Classic fM; Michael Wilson is quoted in the National Geographic story, “How animals choose their leaders, from brute force to democracy”; Brian Harrison is quoted in a Washington Post story about what Pope Francis's comments about gay families could mean for LGBTQ people worldwide; Joan Gabel and Matt Hanson are quoted in a Star Tribune story about student mental health; Richard Frase is quoted in the New York Times story, “Judge Dismisses Third-Degree Murder Charge in George Floyd Killing”; Nicholas Phelps is quoted in a National Geographic story about how intensifying hurricanes are helping invasive species spread across the U.S.