Faculty researchers, innovators celebrated at annual award reception

Several faculty members with research and creative activities in myriad areas, from wildlife behavior studies to new theatre projects, were honored Thursday at the annual Faculty Research Recognition Reception.

The awards were presented by Chancellor Daniele Struppa, who commended the faculty for their research activities and vigorous pursuit of external funding.

“I’m really proud of the work you all are doing. It’s very important the work that you do because it is connected to our educational mission, not only for what we do for our undergraduate students but also how we now can support our graduate students.

This year’s honorees included:

Walter Piper, Ph.D., professor in the Schmid College of Science and Technology, and George Willis, associate professor, at the Dale E. Fowler School of Law, were both inducted into The Million Dollar Club, for faculty who have reached a cumulative $1 million level of sponsored funding. Piper receives grants from the National Science Foundation, and Willis directs a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (“LITC”) made possible by a federal grant.

Laura Glynn, Ph.D., associate professor, Schmid College of Science and Technology, was awarded the Distinguished Research Award. Glynn examines the interplay of biological, psychosocial and behavioral processes in pregnancy and their influence on maternal and fetal health and early childhood development.

Jennifer Funk, Ph.D., assistant professor, was awarded the Junior faculty Award. Funk conducts long-term research into plants’ response to drought conditions.

John Benitz, associate professor, was awarded the Distinguished Creative Activity Grant. Benitz coordinated an NEA Grant that supported a series of staged readings of Andrew Carroll’s, If All the Sky Were Paper in a nationwide tour.

Kerk Kee, Ph.D., was awarded the Young Investigator Award. Kee examines organizational communication technologies and health communication strategies.

Gabriele Camera, Ph.D., professor, Argyros School of Business and Economics, was awarded the Innovative Research Award. Camera studies monetary theory and experimental economics.