Faculty and staff news
Linda Boland, associate professor of biology, has co-authored two papers: “Inhibitory effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on Kv4 potassium channels” in American Journal of Physiology (Cell Physiology) and “Expression of a Poriferan potassium channel: Insights into the evolution of ion channels in metazoans” in Journal of Experimental Biology. The first is research important to understanding the role of fatty acids as regulators of electrical signaling in the brain during learning and memory. The second is the first to identify and study an ion channel from sponges.
William Cooper, University professor, has published two new books, Flashpoint China (Llumina, 2009) and Buchanan’s Reach (Booksurge, 2009). Flashpoint China portrays rising international tensions and their resolution amid presidential selections in Taiwan, China and the United States in 2012. Buchanan’s Reach depicts a university president who works with colleagues to address a mix of opportunities and crises.
Mike Davison, professor of music, traveled to Velencia, Spain, where he showed his documentary, “Cuba: Rhythm in Motion,” and lectured on Cuban music and jazz. As a member of the board of directors of the National Trumpet Competition, he attended the competition at George Mason University in March. In April, he is traveling to Santiago de Cuba to present a paper on son (earliest Afro-Cuban music) and doing research for a book on the topic. In May, he will chair the jazz improvisation contest and give a clinic on jazz articulation at the International Trumpet Guild conference in Harrisburg, Pa. He will take his jazz combo to Mexico and Hamilton Island, Australia, to perform and give clinics about Cuban music.
Jan Hoffman French, assistant professor of anthropology, has a book coming out in May. Legalizing Identities: Becoming Black or Indian in Brazil’s Northeast will be published by The University of North Carolina Press.
Laurel Hayward, director of donor relations and stewardship, received an Award of Excellence in the Advancement Services Project category in the District III awards program of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.
Robert Hodierne, associate professor of journalism, will be a judge for the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards. Founded by a group of journalists covering RFK’s 1968 presidential campaign, the program is one of the few in which winners are determined solely by their peers. The awards honor exceptional investigative reporting, which, in the spirit of Robert F. Kennedy, brings a voice to those affected by injustice, abuse and violations of rights. A past winner, Hodierne will be a judge in the radio category.
Hodierne also has been named an adviser to The World Book Encyclopedia, the bestselling encyclopedia in the world. He will serve as World Book’s adviser on military history and military studies.
Jean-Pierre Laurenceau-Medina chaperoned eight UR students to the East Coast Asian-American Student Union conference at Rutgers University in February. The event is the premiere Asian-American collegiate conference in the United States. Founded in 1977, the conference brings together influential student leaders from major universities. Laurenceau-Medina will be taking four or five students to the 7th annual New England Latino Student Leadership Conference at Eastern Connecticut State University in April.
Katybeth Lee, Career Development Center assistant director, made a presentation about the CDC program “Destination Unknown” at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ annual conference March 7–11 in Seattle.
Mike Leopold, associate professor of chemistry, has received an $85,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to continue his research on proteins. A total of $255,000 is expected over three years. The grant supports summer research for Leopold, three undergraduate students, a post-baccalaureate fellow, supplies and travel to present results.
Leopold’s study is significant to the development of electron transfer model systems and biosensor technology, as well as the understanding of fundamental biological processes such as mitochondrial respiration and photosynthesis.
Richard Morrill, chancellor, received the James T. Rogers Distinguished Leadership Award from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. An active member of SACS for 10 years, Morrill has chaired its board of directors.
Richmond Alumni Magazine has won an award of excellence for overall quality from CASE District III, the Southeast region of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. The magazine is produced primarily by Editor Karl Rhodes, Art Director Samantha Tannich and Graphic Designer Gordon Schmidt. They have won seven CASE awards in the past four years, including one for magazine publishing improvement, three for excellence in feature writing, and three for overall quality.
Tanja Softic, associate professor of art, has received an $8,000 professional artist fellowship in drawing from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Softic has exhibited her prints and drawings worldwide and across the United States in more than 80 group and solo exhibitions. Her most recent solo exhibition, “Lightly Here,” was held at Page Bond Gallery in Richmond in November.
Softic was one of 33 Virginia art students and artists who received a total of $196,000 in fellowships this year from VMFA. Adjunct art professor Heide Trepanier also received an $8,000 professional artist fellowship.
The YWCA of Richmond has named Adrienne Volenik, director of the disability law clinic and clinical professor at the law school, as its 2009 Outstanding Woman of Achievement in Education.
Volenik was one of 10 women to receive awards in such categories as arts, business, communications, health and science, and religion.
The winners were selected from more than 80 nominations, based on their impact on the community, leadership skills, personal and professional achievement, and commitment to the YWCA of Richmond’s mission to eliminate racism, empower women and elevate children.
Volenik will be recognized at an awards luncheon April 29 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.