Awards & Accolades
New fellows of the National Academy of Inventors (from left): Liesl Folks, Mark Van Dyke and Terry Matsunaga.
John Ruiz, associate professor of psychology
Bruce Tabashnik, Regents Professor of entomology
ASEMS program staff, advisory board and faculty mentors.
Four CAPLA faculty members have been recognized by the American Institute of Architects Southern Arizona (clockwise from top left): Robert Miller, Brad Lang, Claudia Kappl-Joy and Oscar Lopez.
Fostering Success serves students who are or have been in foster care or are struggling with homelessness or housing insecurity, as well as those who are considered unaccompanied youth.
Sama Alshaibi, professor of art
John Ruiz appointed to U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
John Ruiz, associate professor of psychology, has been appointed to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ruiz, who is also a member of the BIO5 Institute, will serve a four-year term.
The task force is an independent volunteer panel of national experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine that makes recommendations about clinical preventive services such as screenings, counseling services and preventive medications.
Ruiz serves as director of the health psychology concentration for the psychology doctoral program and as director of diversity, equity and inclusivity in the Department of Psychology. His research focuses on how people's social lives influence their physical health.
Learn more about Ruiz and his appointment in this story on the Sarver Heart Center website.
Three University inventors elected as National Academy of Inventors fellows
Three University inventors have been elected as fellows of the National Academy of Inventors. They are: Liesl Folks, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs; Mark Van Dyke, associate dean of research and professor of biomedical engineering at the College of Engineering; and Terry Matsunaga, research professor of medical imaging at the College of Medicine – Tucson.
Folks holds 14 U.S. patents and has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed papers. Van Dyke has 40 U.S. patents and has been an author on more than 160 scientific publications. Matsunaga is listed on 17 patent applications and is an inventor on 23 issued patents.
Read more about the University's newest NAI fellows on UANews.
Agropolis Fondation honors Bruce Tabashnik
Bruce Tabashnik, Regents Professor of entomology and member of the BIO5 Institute, has won the 2021 Louis Malassis International Scientific Prize for Agriculture and Food in the distinguished scientist category. The prize, awarded every two years by the Agropolis Fondation of France, recognizes individuals who have made an exemplary contribution to promoting innovations that improve sustainable agricultural and food production systems.
Tabashnik, who has been with the University since 1996, focuses his research on the evolution and management of insect resistance to crops genetically engineered for pest control. The award recognizes his research promoting sustainable control of crop pests.
The Agropolis Fondation is a scientific cooperation foundation dedicated to research, training and innovation in agriculture and sustainable development. The award is named for Louis Malassis, a French agronomist.
Tabashnik was recognized during a ceremony in November. The honor comes with a cash prize of 20,000 euros, which is between $22,500 and $23,000.
You can read more about the award in the Agropolis Fondation's official announcement.
Insight Into Diversity honors ASEMS program
Insight Into Diversity magazine has named Arizona's Science, Engineering and Math Scholars program as one of its 2021 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award winners. The honor recognizes organizations that make efforts to empower underrepresented students to succeed in science, technology, engineering and math disciplines.
ASEMS supports women and underrepresented students in STEM degree programs through academic, research and career readiness services. The program serves more than 400 undergraduate students each year.
Insight Into Diversity, which focuses on diversity in higher education, has been in publication for more than 45 years.
Read more about the honor and the ASEMS program in this UANews story.
Architecture faculty members win AIA awards
Faculty members in the School of Architecture won multiple awards from the American Institute of Architects Southern Arizona. The winners were celebrated during the AIA Arizona Awards Gala, held Nov. 12 at Phoenix Art Museum.
Chairman's Award: Robert Miller, Director of the School of Architecture.
Design Pedagogy Award: Brad Lang, adjunct lecturer, for his leadership of a studio to design a Navajo Code Talkers Museum and Veterans Center.
Interior Merit Award: Oscar Lopez, senior lecturer, and Mihir Bavishi of Tucson-based architecture firm s p a c e BUREAU for achievements in the planning, conception, design and execution of the Tucson retail store Why I Love Where I Live.
Consultant Award: Claudia Kappl-Joy, lecturer, and her firm CLL . Concept Lighting Lab for contributions to the development and realization of good design through innovation, technology, teamwork and dedication to improving the quality of the built environment.
Read more about the winners on the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture website.
Fostering Success program honored for innovation
The Fostering Success program has been awarded the Region VI Innovative Program Award from NASPA, a professional organization serving the field of student affairs. The award honors an institution or group that has implemented an innovative program that furthers student growth, improves service to students and enhances life on campus.
Fostering Success is a peer mentoring campus community for students who are or have been in foster care or are struggling with homelessness or housing insecurity, as well as those who are considered unaccompanied youth. Students in the program work one on one with peer mentors, who help them navigate hurdles and achieve academic, career and social goals.
NASPA, founded as the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, is now called NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The association has more than 15,000 members.
Fostering Success was honored during a ceremony in November. You can watch a video of the ceremony here.
Sama Alshaibi wins artist award from Phoenix Art Museum
Phoenix Art Museum has named Sama Alshaibi, professor of art, the recipient of the 2021 Arlene and Morton Scult Artist Award. The honor recognizes a mid-career artist working in Arizona for excellence in their work and growth throughout their career.
Alshaibi specializes in photography, video and sculptural installations. She was named a Guggenheim Fellow in Creative Arts in 2021. Her work has been featured in exhibits around the world, including exhibitions in Italy, Bolivia, Egypt and New York.
Alshaibi was selected for the award by a panel of curators and artists. The award includes a $5,000 prize and a solo exhibition at the museum.
You can see some of Alshaibi's work on her website.