Awards & Accolades

Congratulations to these recent honorees.

Hua and Hruby named fellows of the National Academy of Inventors

Hong Hua, professor in the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, and Victor Hruby, Regents Professor Emeritus in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the College of Medicine – Tucson, have been named fellows of the National Academy of Inventors. They will be honored during a ceremony on April 10 in Phoenix.

The NAI is a member organization of U.S. and international universities, governmental and nonprofit research institutions. Its mission includes recognizing and encouraging inventors with patents issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Its fellows program recognizes those who have "demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society."

Hua is a leading researcher of augmented reality systems, some of which have resulted in improvements to head-mounted displays in areas such as resolution, field of view, accurate 3D depth perception and rendering speed.

Hruby is a world leader in peptide research, focusing primarily on the chemistry, conformation-biological activity relationships and molecular mechanisms of information transduction and of biological functions associated with peptide hormones and neurotransmitters and their receptors that modulate health, disease and human behavior. He is a member of the BIO5 Institute.

Read more about the University's newest NAI fellows on UANews.

Peterson is recognized for distinguished leadership by Psychonomic Society

Mary Peterson, professor and director of the Cognitive Science Program in the Department of Psychology, has received the 2019 Clifford T. Morgan Distinguished Leadership Award from the Psychonomic Society. She was presented with the award in November at the society's annual meeting in Montreal.

The Psychonomic Society is an international organization of cognitive psychologists that aims to "foster the science of cognition through the advancement and communication of basic research in experimental psychology and allied sciences."

Its Clifford T. Morgan Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes those with at least 10 years' experience in the field who "demonstrated sustained leadership and service to the discipline." Peterson, one of three recipients, was recognized her role in 2009 as the society's governing board chair while the organization faced financial challenges.

Peterson's research involves using cognitive neuroscience techniques to understand how humans perceive the world visually. She began at the University in 1988.

In August, she also received the American Psychological Association's Early Career Psychologist Champion Award, which recognizes those who champion the interests of early career psychologists.

Marks wins award for clinical excellence

Michael Marks, professor of practice in the College of Applied Science and Technology, has won the Sarah Haley Memorial Award for Clinical Excellence from the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies. He was recognized at the society's annual meeting in Boston in November.

The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies is an organization that "promotes advancement and exchange of knowledge about traumatic stress." Its Sarah Haley Memorial Award for Clinical Excellence recognizes a clinician or group of clinicians "in direct service to traumatized individuals." The award is named for a psychiatric social worker known for her work treating Vietnam War veterans experiencing trauma.

Marks was recognized for "improving access to mental health care for veterans in rural communities and providing other professions such as first responders with psychological and behavioral resilience-building tools," according to the society.

Marks, a faculty member in the Human Services and Military Families programs, helped create Supportive Education for Returning Veterans, a program that helps veterans transition from combat zones to academic life.

Denno is named regional civilian aide to Army secretary

Linda Denno, interim dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology, has been named the civilian aide to the secretary of the Army for Southern Arizona. Denno was recognized last month at an investiture ceremony at Fort Huachuca, west of Sierra Vista, where the college is located.

Civilian aides to the secretary of the Army are appointed from regions throughout the U.S by the Army secretary and are typically "business or civic leaders who possess a keen interest in the welfare of the Army and their communities," according to the Army.

Their responsibilities include informing the public about why a strong Army is vital to national security; partnering with the Army's Soldier for Life program to help soldiers transition from the Army; connecting prospective recruits with resources; promoting good relations among the Army, Congress and the public; and advising the secretary on regional issues.

Denno, a political science scholar, has taught courses on American politics and institutions, political philosophy, constitutional law, and national security studies. At her investiture ceremony, Denno said she has long supported veterans and their families and has helped create academic programs specifically aimed at advancing the careers of soldiers and veterans.

MacFarland is honored for 'breakthroughs' in inclusive education

Stephanie MacFarland, assistant professor of practice in the Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies, has won the June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education Award from TASH, a disability advocacy organization. She was honored at the organization's annual conference in Phoenix last month.

TASH's mission includes promoting "the full inclusion and participation of children and adults with significant disabilities in every aspect of their community, and to eliminate the social injustices that diminish human rights." The organization was once known as The Association for the Severely Handicapped.

Its June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education Award honors "the important and courageous contributions of individuals and school districts in advancing inclusive education and equitable opportunities for students preschool through grade 12, particularly those with the most significant disabilities and support needs."

MacFarland specializes in preparing teachers and consulting in the field of deaf-blind education with an emphasis in communication development.

Arizona Repertory Theatre wins Mac Awards for 'Spring Awakening' musical

Arizona Repertory Theatre earned several Mac Awards from the Arizona Daily Star for the company's April production of the musical "Spring Awakening," including best musical and an award for musical direction for Hank Stratton, ART's artistic director. The Mac Awards were announced on Jan. 2.

The awards, covering a variety of categories, are presented annually to members of Tucson's theater community. The awards are named after Mary MacMurtrie, "who, through her Tucson Children's Theatre, spent much of the last century turning local youth into actors, directors and audience members," according to the Arizona Daily Star.

"Arizona Repertory Theatre's production of 'Spring Awakening' was near flawless and always engrossing," an article in the newspaper stated. "The musical about teens grappling with unwanted pregnancy, suicide and confusion about life had clarity and an expansive heart" under the direction of Stratton, a seasoned stage and screen actor who is also an assistant professor in the School of Theatre, Film and Television.

Two students won Mac Awards for their leading performances in "Spring Awakening." Rachel Franke, who graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre, won the Mac Award for best actress in a musical for her portrayal of Wendla Bergmann. Zach Zupke, also a 2019 musical theatre BFA graduate, won the Mac Award for best actor in a musical for his performance as Melchior Gabor.

---

We want to know about your good news. If you, your team or a colleague has won any major awards, been honored nationally or internationally, or accomplished some other major feat that deserves recognition, let us know about it.

To submit your news, please send us an email with the following information:

• Name of the person, team or unit receiving the honor with full University titles.
• Information about the award/honor and the organization that granted it. Please include a link to the official announcement of the award/honor.
• When the honor was announced and when it will be presented (or was presented).
• A photo of the honoree. If others appear in the photo, please provide their names and identifying information, such as their University title or other affiliation.

Questions? Contact Lo Que Pasa at uaatwork@email.arizona.edu.