Akron Update - October 29, 2003

The Online Newsletter for Faculty, Staff and Retirees of The University of Akron - October 29, 2003


Sonia Alemagno and Paula Renker Paula Renker, nursing, and Sonia Alemagno, Institute for Health and Social Policy, were awarded a $147,000 Academic Research Enhancement Award by the National Institute of Nursing Research for “Nursing Strategy for Computerized Violence Screening.” Renker also received a $20,000 Research Challenge Grant from the Ohio Board of Regents for the project. Top Lloyd Anderson Lloyd Anderson, law, served as a consultant in September on a PBS Television documentary on Texas prison litigation. Top Mary Ellen Atwood and Brian Pendleton Mary Ellen Atwood, education, and Brian Pendleton, sociology, received $12,568 from the Ohio Department of Education in flow-through money from the U.S. Department of Education for “SELF — Even Start Literacy Program — Year 5 Summer Supplement.” Top Wieslaw Binienda Wieslaw Binienda, civil engineering, received $26,475 from NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field for “FEA Study of Impact-penetration for Lightweight Jet Engine (supplement.)” Top Deana Burrill and Amy Mast Amy Mast and Deana Burrill, Wayne College Dean’s Office, received Targeted Industries Training Grants from the Ohio Board of Regents in the following amounts: $7,725, Plastipak, Incorporated; and $2,066, Multi Products Company, #1797 Owens Illinois. They also received $5,430 from the Ohio Department of Development for “Holmes County: Community and Employee Training/Educational Assessment Federal Applachian Industrial Retraining Funds.” Top Joan Carletta Joan Carletta, electrical and computer engineering, received $47,081 from the National Science Foundation for “ITR/Collaborative Research: FPGA Wavelet Image Compression Systems for Mobile Wireless Networks (Year 2).” Top George Chase and Darrell Reneker George Chase, chemical engineering, and Darrell Reneker, polymer science, received $15,000 from Hollingsworth & Vose and $15,000 from Fleetguard, Inc., for MPEC Coalescence (sixth-year dues). Top Stephen Cheng and Frank Harris Frank Harris and Stephen Cheng, polymer science, were awarded $300,000 by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research for “Collaborative Center in Polymer Photonics (Year 2). Top Stephen Cheng Stephen Cheng, polymer science, was awarded $110,000 by the National Science Foundation for “Molecular Manipulation on Crystal Orientation, Phase Transformation and Stability in Nano-confined Environments Using Block Co-polymers and Blends as Templates.” Top David Cohen and Alethia Cook David Cohen and Alethia Cook, political science, co-presented a paper they wrote titled “Planning to Combat an Eradicated Adversary: The Evolution of Smallpox Policy in the Clinton and G.W. Bush Administrations” at the American Political Science Association Annual Convention, held Aug. 28-30 in Philadelphia. Top Alethia Cook Alethia Cook, political science, presented a paper titled “First Response in the United States: Learning from a Decade of Terror” at the American Political Science Association Annual Convention, held Aug. 28-30 in Philadelphia. Top Stephen Cook Stephen Cook, law, conducted a Law Day Seminar in September with clients of the Akron/Summit County Small Business Development Center to answer basic legal questions and present the services of the New Business Legal Clinic. Top Roberta DePompei Roberta DePompei, speech-language pathology and audiology, received three grants from the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission — $10,000 for “The Ohio Plan: Developing Local Capacity-systems Change and Access (Federal Traumatic Brain Injury Program),” and $2,000 and $5,400 for a Survey of Educators for the Department of Education, Division of Special Education. Top Ronald Eby Ronald Eby, polymer science, received $79,984 from Foster-Miller, Incorporated for “Characterization of Proton Exchange Membranes (PEMs) for Higher Temperature Air Force Fuel Cells (continued), received $10,000 from NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field for “High Temperature Fuel Cells.” Top Edward Evans Edward Evans, chemical engineering, was awarded $100,000 by Aircraft Brake Systems for “Analysis of High Temperature Furnace Processes.” Top Lauri File and Jay Levine Lauri File and Jay Levine, law, served on the “Professionalism Panel: Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Law Practice” at the 13th All Ohio Annual Institute on Intellectual Property in Cleveland in September. Top Carol Flexer and Denise Wray Carol Flexer and Denise Wray, speech-language pathology and audiology, were awarded $195,000 by the Oberkotter Foundation for “Expanding Ohio’s Early Intervention Resources to Promote and Provide Auditory-based Services for Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.” Top Karen Flynn Karen Flynn, classical studies, anthropology and archaeology, received $8,300 from the Akron Community Foundation for “A Situational Analysis of Homeless Teenage Girls in Akron: Identifying Approaches to Promote Success in School Through Women’s Endowment Fund.” Top Mark Foster and Roderic Quirk Mark Foster and Roderic Quirk, polymer science, received $40,000 from the American Chemical Society/Petroleum Research Fund for “Effects of Branching and Chain-end Functionalization on Thermodynamics in Binary Polymer Blends Type AC.” Top Yvonne Gillette Yvonne Gillette, speech-language pathology and audiology, received funding for student internships in the following amounts: The Edge Academy, $10,050; Select Medical, Incorporated, $11,776; Hope Homes, $5,156; United Disability Services, $14,758; Akron Public Schools, $12,060; Hope Homes, $11,576 and United Disability Services, $10,372. Top Lloyd Goettler Lloyd Goettler, polymer engineering, co-presented “Structure and Properties of Polymer Blend Nanocomposites” at the Polymer Nanocomposites 2003, held Oct. 6-8 in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada. Top Lathardus Goggins Lathardus Goggins, Graduate School, received funds in the amounts of $7,964 and $3,750 from the Ohio Board of Regents for two Student Achievement in Research Scholarships, and $10,633 from OMNOVA Solutions Incorporated for a student assistantship with its industrial program. Top				Michael Graham Michael Graham, history, spent the spring semester as the James Cameron Faculty Fellow in the Reformation Studies Institute at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where he delivered the lecture, “The Strange Case of Thomas Aikenhead (1697).” In May, Graham delivered “The Execution of Thomas Aikenhead: Aftermath” at the Scottish Studies Seminar at the University of Glasgow, and was elected a fellow of the Royal Historical Society in May. Top Terry Hallett Terry Hallett, speech-language pathology and audiology, received grants in the amounts of $2,000 for a Recruitment DVD for SLP/A Professions and $5,000 for “Distance Learning Course: Speech and Language Development,” both from the Ohio Master’s Network Initiatives in Education. Top Frank Harris Frank Harris, polymer engineering, received $20,000 from Toyobo Co., LTD for unrestricted research support (polyimides). Top Nancy Harris Nancy Harris, speech-language pathology and audiology, received $3,840 for Speech-Language Pathology Services for Quality Speech Services. Top Kelly Herold Kelly Herold, Senior Vice President and Provost’s Office, received $64,519 from the Ohio Department of Education in cooperation with the Ohio Board of Regents for “Multiyear College Tech Prep Plan, Update.” Top Karen Herrington Karen Herrington, education, received $22,150 from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation for “Bridging the Literacy Gap with Culturally Competent Instruction.” Top Daniel Hickey Daniel Hickey, workforce development and continuing education, received two Targeted Industries Training Grants from the Ohio Board of Regents — $4,500 for McCann Plastics, #1829; and $3,802 for InfoCision Management Corporation, #1795. Top John Hirschbuhl Thomas Gaylord and John Hirschbuhl, Information Technology Services, were awarded $496,750 by the U.S. Department of Education for the “Exercise in Hard Choices” Fund for the Improvement of Education. Top Michelle Hoo Fatt Michelle Hoo Fatt, mechanical engineering, received $3,000 from Schlumberger for “Analysis of High Pressure Rubber Seals (continued).” Top Wilson Huhn Wilson Huhn, law, has had two articles recently accepted for publication. “Assessing the Constitutionality of Laws That are Both Content Based and Content Neutral: The Emerging Constitutional Calculus,” will appear in the Indiana Law Journal. “The Jurisprudential Revolution Unlocking Human Potential in Lawrence and Grutter” will appear in the William and Mary Bill of Rights Journal. Top Iqbal Husain Iqbal Husain, electrical and computer engineering, received $78,975 from Delphi Automtove Systems for “Time Line Implementation for Sensorless Switched Reluctance Motor-actuator.” Top Sadhan Jana Sadhan Jana, polymer engineering, received $24,000 from NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field for “Synthesis, Characterization and Properties of Carbon-fiber Reinforced PMR-clay Nanocomposites.” Top Lu-Kwang Ju Lu-Kwang Ju, chemical engineering, received $74,138 from the National Science Foundation for “Study Microaerobic Metabolism Using Luminescence Techniques.” Top Eleanor Klosterman Eleanor Klosterman, social work, was awarded $100,000 by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for “University of Akron as Provider for Campus Training Opportunities for Program Staff.” Top Margery Koosed Margery Koosed, law, reviewed proposed legislation in the Ohio legislature for the Ohio State Bar Association Criminal Justice Committee in September. Top Cindy Kovalik and Sajit Zachariah Sajit Zachariah and Cindy Kovalik, educational foundations and leadership, were awarded $342,878 by the U.S. Department of Education for “Redesign for Competent Use of Technology by Teachers PT3 — Preparing Tomorrows Teachers...” Top Sharon Kruse Sharon Kruse, College of Education Dean’s Office, received $23,234 from the Northeast Ohio Research Association through Cleveland State University for a study of high-achieving schools in urban areas. Top Lisa Lenhart and Evangeline Newton Lisa Lenhart and Evangeline Newton, curricular and instructional studies, received $70,000 from the state of Ohio through Cleveland State University for “Reading First Professional Development Start-Up.” Top Arkadii Leonov and Roderic Quirk Roderic Quirk, polymer science, and Arkadii Leonov, polymer engineering, received $40,000 from Proctor & Gamble for “Investigation of Durable-press Treatment of Cellulose Fibers (continued).” Top Stephanie Lopina Stephanie Lopina, chemical engineering, received $10,000 from the National Science Foundation for “CAREER — Poly/(ethylene oxide\) Star Molecules for Targeted Drug Deliver.” She also received funding for two summer 2003 student fellowships from Summa Health Systems, each in the amount of $2,611, to help with two research projects — “Evaluation of a Tissue Engineered Bioconstrcut for the Healing of Full-thickness Dermal Wounds in a Swine Model,” and “An Analysis of Efficacy of Cyclosporin Delivered Locally Via a Controlled-release Polymeric System in Inhibiting Intimal Hyperplasia.” Top Laurence Ma Laurence J.C. Ma, geography and planning, co-edited “The Chinese Diaspora,” a collection of essays examining the Chinese migration experience worldwide, which has just been published by Lanham:MD: Rowman and Littlefield. Top Bi-Min Zhang Newby and Ping Wang Ping Wang, and Bi-Min Zhang Newby, chemical engineering, received $7,800 from the National Science Foundation for “REU Supplement to Novel Self-assembling Interfacial Biocatalysis in Organic-aqueous Biphasic Systems for Environmentally Benign Chemical Processing.” Top				Molly O'Brien Molly O’Brien, law, performed “The Ballad of Nathan DeRolph” at the Symposium on School Finance, which was sponsored by the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy in Funding for Public Schooling on Sept. 17 in Columbus. O’Brien also drafted and circulated recommended revisions to Ohio jury rules for the Supreme Court Task Force on Jury Service. Top Surya Patnaik Surya Patnaik, mechanical engineering, received $34,846 from NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field for “Assessment of Force and Displacement Methods in the Design Optimization of Flexural Structures.” Top R. Byron Pipes Byron Pipes, Akron Global Polymer Academy, received $15,000 from NASA Langley through Old Dominion Univesity for “Ultra Nanostructured Composite Fibers II.” He also co-presented “Scale Effects in Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Ropes” at the Polymer Nanocomposites 2003, held Oct. 6-8 in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada. Top Coleen Pugh Coleen Pugh, polymer science, was awarded $254,000 by the National Science Foundation for “Architectural Effects in the Phase Formation and Miscibility of SCLCPs Prepared by ATRP.” She also received $12,000 from the National Science Foundation for “International: Joint U.S.-Germany Workshop on Polymers Western Europe Program.” Top Laura Purnell and Charlene Reed Laura Purnell and Charlene Reed, education, received $19,314 for “Project GRAD Akron” from the Project GRAD Summer Institute. Top Laura Purnell and Elizabeth Stroble Elizabeth Stroble, College of Education Dean’s Office/Senior Vice President and Provost’s Office; and Laura Purnell, education; received $49,950 from the Ohio Board of Regents for “Reconceptualizing the NCATE Diversity Standard: Professional Preparation for Culturally Competent Educators.” Top Andrew Rancer Andrew Rancer, communication, wrote a chapter titled “Argumentativeness, Verbal Aggressiveness and Persuasion” for the book “Perspectives on Persuasion, Social Influence and Compliance-Gaining,” published in 2004 by Allyn & Bacon Publishers. Top Nikola Resanovic Nikola Resanovic, music, won the 2003 Cleveland Arts Prize in Music in recognition of his achievements as a composer. The Arts Prize awards will be presented at the Cleveland Art Museum on Oct 21. Top David Ritchey David Ritchey, communication, has been named by PR News as the PR Professional of the Year in Education. PR News showcased its award winners in its Oct. 13 issue. Top Kathleen Ross-Alaolmolki Kathleen Ross-Alaolmolki, nursing, was awarded $226,311 by the Bureau of Health Professions in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for “Accelerated Option for Baccalaureate Preparation in Nursing.” Top Jeffrey Samuels Jeffrey Samuels, law, presented the “Madrid Protocol” in September at the All-Ohio Intellectual Property Law Conference, held in Cleveland and Cincinnati, and at the meeting of Iowa Intellectual Property Law Association in Des Moines. Top Daniel Sheffer Daniel Sheffer, biomedical engineering, received $5,420 from the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine for graduate student support. Top James Singletary and Oletha Thompson Oletha Thompson and James Singletary, Academic Achievement Programs, were awarded $467,144 by the U.S. Department of Education for Upward Bound Program, 2003-2008. Top James Sperling James Sperling, political science, presented a paper titled “German Security Policy: The Logic of Appropriateness; the Logic of Outcomes” at the German Studies Association Meeting in New Orleans on Sept. 20. Top Tirumalai Srivatsan Tirumalai Srivatsan, mechanical engineering, received $3,000 in unrestricted research support from Materials Modifications, Inc. Top Oletha Thompson and John Vesalo Oletha Thompson and John Vesalo, Academic Achievement Programs, were awarded $288,383 by the U.S. Department of Education for Upward Bound Math and Science Competition, Year 5. Top John Troche John Troche, engineering and science technology, received $81,600 from the Ohio Department of Education in cooperation with the Ohio Board of Regents for “Tech Prep Expanded Enrollment: Engineering and Manufacturing FY 03.” Top James White James White, polymer engineering, co-presented “Mechanisms of Melt Mixing to Form Montmorillonite-Polymer Nanocomposites with Application to Halogenated and Acrylonitrile Based Polymers” at the Polymer Nanocomposites 2003, held Oct. 6-8 in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada. Top