Awards/Honors > Emerging Scholars > 2012 | Diverse: Issues In Higher Education

The Poetic Gift – Karen An-Hwei Lee

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:16:04 -0600

Dr. Lee's highly acclaimed 2004 book of poetry, In Medias Res, was described by publisher Sarabande Books as “an investigation into how God hides in language.” In Medias Res won the 2005 Norma Farber First Book Award from the Poetry Society of America and was a Kathryn A. Morton Prize winner.

Regenerative Medicine – Franklin West

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:09:23 -0600

Dr. Franklin West works seven days a week, but, with enthusiasm, he says his career is more a lifestyle than a job. And it is easy to understand his drive: As a researcher studying stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, West’s potential successes have wide-ranging implications.

The Fruits of Perseverance — Byron Williams

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:01:47 -0600

Dr. Williams is a rising star in his field, not simply for his technical abilities but also for his work ethic and commitment to helping others, which has garnered him admiration from both the community and colleagues including Dr. Donna Reese, head of Mississippi State’s Computer Science and Engineering department.

Visionary Thinker – Osagie Obasogie

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:54:14 -0600

After watching the major motion picture “Ray,” which chronicled the life of musician Ray Charles, Dr. Osagie Obasogie grew curious about how blind people understand and experience race and racism. He wondered whether the absence of sight shielded people from the day-to-day realities of race in this country.

Cell Biology Pioneer – Magdalena Bezanilla

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:06:51 -0600

Dr. Bezanilla recently received a five-year Lucile Packard Foundation grant and a Faculty Early Career Development, or CAREER, award from the National Science Foundation. She received the American Society for Cell Biology Women in Cell Biology junior award and, most notably, the 2010 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, or PECASE.

Sparking Interest in STEM – Frances Williams

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:54:10 -0600

One of Dr. Williams’ more impressive accomplishments at the university is the establishment of the $6.5 million Center for Materials Research, which features a “clean-room,” which Williams describes as “a facility with a low particle count … needed because we are making devices on a macro- and nano-scale, with features that are smaller than a strand of hair.

Breaking Down Access Barriers — Jenny Lee

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:45:39 -0600

For the past 15 years, Dr. Lee has devoted her time to teaching, service and research on college access for underserved populations.

Righting Social Wrongs — Alexes Harris

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:37:00 -0600

A Ph.D. in sociology and countless accomplishments later, Dr. Alexis Harris has demonstrated her dedication through a body of work that focuses on social stratification associated with racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal justice system.

The People’s Mathematician — Mariel Vazquez

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:29:40 -0600

Vazquez is an internationally known researcher in the emerging field of DNA topology. Vazquez, an associate professor of mathematics at San Francisco State University, studies how human DNA, the DNA of bacteria and the DNA of viruses become untangled. Her work could affect the design of antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs.

A Thirst for Knowledge – Geanncarlo Lugo-Villarino

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:57:30 -0600

Back in 1991, Geanncarlo Lugo-Villarino was working in a shoe store. Growing up poor in Mexico, he had a shaky grasp of English and graduated from high school in San Diego with a 2.7 average. At 38, he has a Ph.D. from Harvard University in immunology and a lengthy list of peer-reviewed publications and fellowships, awards, scholarships and other honors.

Preserving Family, Tradition and Native Culture – Majel Boxer

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:03:22 -0600

As a young, petite, Native American woman, Dr. Majel Boxer stands out among her mostly male, mostly White colleagues in Fort Lewis College’s Native American and Indigenous Studies department. But don’t let her stature fool you — this faculty member is highly accomplished and has helped affect change in tribal communities.

Second Chance at Life – Kristian Brown

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:19:47 -0600

Brown is both a transplant surgeon at Detroit Medical Center and an assistant adjunct professor of biomedical engineering at Wayne State University. He has co-written more than 11 scholarly papers, won numerous research awards and earned a Ph.D. in engineering.