Honors and awards
July 2019
Avalos voted into Iowa Latino Hall of Fame
Hector Avalos, professor of philosophy and religious studies, is a 2019 inductee into the Iowa Latino Hall of Fame. Avalos, who hails from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, is being recognized for his contributions to improve the quality of life in Iowa. His recent work at Iowa State examines the extent to which religious biases still affect the study of biblical history, translations, archaeology and ethics.
Anand receives NSF CAREER award
Robbyn Anand, assistant professor in chemistry, received a 2019 Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation. The award honors faculty members who serve as exemplary researchers and teacher-scholars. She will use the five-year, $620,000 award to develop analytical techniques that address current limitations to the selective separation and enrichment of chemical compounds from difficult-to-handle fluids. It will also support Anand's development of a workshop-style college course that promotes diversity in science by engaging students in discussions about work-life balance, workplace climate, entrepreneurship and networking.
Lambert receives national teaching award
Misty Lambert, associate professor in agricultural education and studies, received the 2019 Educator Award from the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture. Lambert joined Iowa State in 2017 and educates agriculture teachers and teaches graduate courses. She also serves as the program director of the Science with Practice program, which helps undergraduates gain research and work experience.
Reber receives NSF CAREER award
Jacqueline Reber, assistant professor in geology and atmospheric sciences, received a 2019 Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation. The award honors faculty who serve as exemplary researchers and teacher-scholars. She will use the five-year, $343,000 award to research viscous and brittle deformations and examine how the interplay between these behaviors can impact earthquakes, using original machines she conceived and designed. Reber will also use the CAREER funds to develop materials for a new science communications class to be offered in fall 2020 in collaboration with the Greenlee School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the College of Design.
Coats named a fellow in American Chemical Society
Joel Coats, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences in the entomology department, has been named a fellow in the American Chemical Society, for outstanding achievements and contributions to science, the profession and the society. Specifically, Coats was recognized for his "pioneering research on the intersection of chemistry and the causation of biological activity and ecosystem responses," and for training more than 50 graduate students and postdoctoral scientists. His service to the ACS is in its agrochemicals division, where he held many leadership roles and offices, providing guidance in planning and financial management and encouraging and supporting students and new scientists. The 2019 fellows were announced July 15 and will be honored at the society's national meeting this fall.
Gupta receives NSF CAREER award
Mohan Gupta, assistant professor in genetics, development and cell biology, received a 2019 Faculty Early Career Development award from the National Science Foundation. The award honors faculty members who serve as exemplary researchers and teacher-scholars. He will use part of the $1.1 million award over five years to develop experiential learning activities for students in Science Bound and hire several of the program's students for paid summer research jobs. Gupta and his lab team also will partner with The Sky is the Limit ISU learning community, which unites open-option students under shared common interests. The science-based section will serve 30-40 students who want to learn about research that uses model organisms, such as the yeast cells Gupta studies.
Small animal hospital identified as veterinary trauma center
The Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital at the College of Veterinary Medicine has been identified as an American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care provisional Veterinary Trauma Center. To meet this standard, a hospital must have board-certified specialists available around the clock in emergency/critical care, radiology and surgery. As of January, ACVECC had identified 21 veterinary trauma centers in the country. In the next 18 months, the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital will apply to be verified as a Level II trauma center.
Reiman Gardens achieves volunteer certification
Following comprehensive assessment, training and coaching, Reiman Gardens has received Service Enterprise certification through Points of Light, a nonprofit organization founded by former president George H.W. Bush dedicated to solving societal problems by involving more people in volunteerism. Certification signifies that an organization has the capacity and management expertise to strategically engage volunteers to meet its needs and improve its performance. The gardens joins more than 500 certified Service Enterprises across 23 states.
Segner is best among emerging artists
Mixed-media painter and College of Design May alumna Anna Segner won the Leysens Family Award for Best of Emerging Iowa Artists at the 2019 Des Moines Arts Festival June 28-30. She will join the department of art and visual culture as a fulltime lecturer in August.
Arts and events
'Die Fledermaus' is a farce of mistaken identity, flirtation and a practical joke with unanticipated consequences. It opens Nov. 7 in Fisher Theater.
