Awards and Accolades

Awards and Accolades

By University Relations - Communications
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Christopher Castro
Christopher Castro
Dr. Mayar Al Mohajer
Dr. Mayar Al Mohajer
Robert Mundheim
Robert Mundheim
Dr. Daniel Persky
Dr. Daniel Persky
Glory A. Novak
Glory A. Novak
Ben Champion
Ben Champion
Dr. Frank G. Walter
Dr. Frank G. Walter
John Palumbo and Peter Ellsworth
John Palumbo and Peter Ellsworth
Clockwise starting top left: Keith Boesen, Rose Martin, Carol Rollins, Theodore Tong
Clockwise starting top left: Keith Boesen, Rose Martin, Carol Rollins, Theodore Tong
Bruce Brockman
Bruce Brockman

Congratulations to these recently honored University employees and programs.

Christopher Castro Selected as Fulbright NEXUS Scholar

Christopher Castro, associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, has been named a 2014 Fulbright Regional Network for Applied Research scholar. Also called NEXUS, the yearlong program brings together scholars, researchers and professionals from different countries in the Western Hemisphere for seminars and exchanges. The 20 Fulbright NEXUS scholars will form four separate teams to examine specific aspects of climate change in Latin America. In January 2015, Castro will travel to Mexico City to research weather and climate change projects at the Universidad Nacional Autónomia de México. His research activities will include using regional atmospheric modeling to improve short-term weather forecasts and climate change projections in Latin America.

Dr. Mayar Al Mohajer Named Educator of the Year

The American Colleges of Physicians has selected Dr. Mayar Al Mohajer, assistant professor of medicine in the Department of Medicine's Division of Infectious Diseases, to receive the Arizona Chapter Educator of the Year Award for 2014. The American College of Physicians is a national organization of physician specialists who seek to enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care through excellence in the practice of medicine. Mohajer's research focuses on staphylococcal infections, device-related functions and antibiotics stewardship. He will be recognized during the organization's awards presentation ceremony on Oct. 25 at Arizona State University.

Law Professor Named Lifetime Achiever by 'The American Lawyer'

Robert Mundheim, professor of corporate law and finance at the James E. Rogers College of Law, was named a Lifetime Achiever by "The American Lawyer" magazine. Mundheim is one of eight lawyers to be selected. He previously served as general counsel at the U.S. Treasury Department, where he helped negotiate the release of U.S. hostages in Iran in 1981. Mundheim has also served as special counsel to the Securities and Exchange Commission, chairman of American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, and three decades on the Council of the American Law Institute.

Dr. Daniel Persky Receives Leadership Award From the National Cancer Institute

Lymphoma specialist Dr. Daniel O. Persky, associate professor of medicine at the College of Medicine, has been chosen to receive the 2014 Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award from the National Cancer Institute. Persky is one of 12 physicians from across the country and the first UA Cancer Center member to receive the award. This recognition is given to exceptional cancer investigators for their contributions to the advancement of clinical research through collaborative team science. Persky serves as the chair of the UA Cancer Center's Data Safety and Monitoring Committee and as principal investigator for a study on how imaging scans can be used to tailor therapy for patients with an early stage of a lymphoma subtype.

Glory A. Novak Elected President of National Association

Glory A. Novak, department administrator in the Department of Psychiatry, was recently elected president of the National Association of Academic Psychiatry Administrators. The organization provides education, professional development, networking and benchmarking opportunities for administrators in academic settings. Its mission is to improve mental health care delivery, education and research through professional management in departments of psychiatry, which are affiliated with academic medical centers all across the country. As president, Novak will provide leadership and develop and implement the organization's strategic goals.

Ben Champion Receives 2014 DuPont Emerging Leaders Scholarship Award

Ben Champion, director of the UA Office of Sustainability, was selected as one of six awardees to receive a 2014 DuPont Emerging Leaders Scholarship by the Design Futures Council. This scholarship recognizes his contribution to creating more sustainable communities. As a scholarship recipient, Champion received support to attend the 13th annual Leadership Summit on Sustainable Design last month in Utah. At the UA, Champion works with other University units to identify, promote and coordinate sustainability goals and initiatives.

UA Physician Receives the 2014 Public Health Service Award

Dr. Frank G. Walter, professor of emergency medicine at the UA College of Medicine and professor of pharmacy practice and science at the UA College of Pharmacy, was selected as a recipient of the 2014 Public Health Service Award, presented by the Arizona Medical Association and the Arizona Department of Health Services. It is the highest recognition for public health service in Arizona. Walter was recognized for his exceptional work as a public health and preparedness advocate. He also serves as medical director for the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Public Health Emergency Preparedness.

Entomological Society of America Honors Peter Ellsworth and John Palumbo

Two employees in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Department of Entomology have been chosen to receive awards from the Entomological Society of America, the largest organization to serve professional and scientific needs of entomologists and individuals. Peter Ellsworth, integrated pest management specialist and director of the Arizona Pest Management Center, will receive the Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest Management for his contributions to cotton pest management advances. John Palumbo, associate research scientist, will receive the Distinguished Award in Extension for his translational research and outreach programs, which provide the Arizona vegetable and melon industries with innovative insect management solutions that help reduce reliance on toxic insecticides. Ellsworth and Palumbo will be recognized in November at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America in Portland, Oregon.

Arizona Pharmacy Association Honors Four UA Faculty Members

Four College of Pharmacy faculty members were honored with awards at the Arizona Pharmacy Association 2014 Annual Convention. Keith Boesen, instructor of pharmacy practice and science and director of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, was awarded the GenerationRX Award. Rose Martin, clinical instructor of pharmacy practice and science and director of the Medication Management Center, was named Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year. Carol Rollins, clinical professor of pharmacy practice and science and director of the PGY2 Nutrition Support Pharmacy Program residency program, was selected as a 2014 Arizona Pharmacy Association fellow. Theodore Tong, the R. Ken Coit Endowed Chair and executive director of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, was selected as an Arizona Pharmacy Association Hall of Fame inductee.

UA Listed as a Top-10 Musical Theater School

The UA was included as one of the top-10 universities for musical theater programs in a recent article on eHow.com. Bruce Brockman serves as a professor and director of the School of Theatre, Film & Television, which trains students in all aspects of musical theater. The Arizona Repertory Theatre serves as the school's professional theater training company, and provides hands-on learning opportunities for students.

We want to know about your good news. If you, your department or a colleague have 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 this information:

  • Name of the person or team receiving the honor.
  • Name of the organization granting the honor
  • A description of the 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 affiliations.

Questions? Please contact Amanda Ballard at 520-626-4407 or amandaballard@email.arizona.edu.

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