Accomplishments - July, 2023
Jeffrey Punske, associate professor, School of Languages and Linguistics, and co-author Andrew McKenzie earned the 2023 Canopus Award for Published Short-Form Nonfiction for their 2020 article, “Language development during interstellar travel.” The award was part of the organization’s Excellence in Interstellar Writing, recognizing the “finest fiction and non-fiction works that expand our understanding of the challenges, opportunities, pitfalls, and rewards of interstellar space exploration.”
Eric C. Brevik, dean, College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences, was recently selected as a Fellow of the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), the highest recognition bestowed by the organization. Successful nominees are selected based on their professional achievements and meritorious service. The nomination notes Brevik is recognized as an expert on human impacts on the soil resource, soils and human health, soil science education, soil science history, and links between soils and culture. He has published more than 170 peer-reviewed journal articles and 50 book chapters, presented his work at numerous national and international conferences, and engaged in extensive international collaborations.
Laurie Ryznyk, associate director and professor, SIU School of Medicine’s physician assistant program, presented a lecture, “They Never Asked: Human Trafficking,” at the recent American Academy of Physicians Assistants conference in Nashville. About 9,000 people attended the conference and Ryznyk’s presentation was designed to help health care providers more effectively recognize signs of human trafficking, conduct medical evaluations of potential trafficking victims and employ trauma-informed approaches in patient care.
Joy Zhao, SIU diving coach, has been selected to join the Team USA staff at the World University Games in Chengdu, China, July 28-Aug. 8.
The Saluki swimming & diving program recently earned both team and individual national recognition from the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America academic success for the spring 2023 semester. The men's and women's teams both earned Scholar All-America team honors; the women's team was recognized for its 3.48 GPA, while the men's side was cited for its 3.31 GPA.
Dale Aschemann, clinical assistant professor of law, SIU School of Law, is co-counsel in False Claims Act whistleblower cases heading back to the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Illinois, after a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision in June. The plaintiffs, represented by SIU School of Law alums Aschemann (1998) and Timothy Keller (1994) as lead counsel, allege that supermarket and pharmacy chains SuperValu and Safeway knowingly overbilled Medicare and Medicaid an estimated $250 million. The False Claims Act is the primary way for the United States to hold government contractors accountable in a civil context. Aschemann and Keller anticipate the cases will return to the federal trial court in late summer at which time they will continue their efforts to obtain jury trials.
“Invisible Microcosm,” a solo exhibition by Jiyong Lee, professor, School of Art and Design, is underway through July 29 at Traver Gallery in Seattle. The series “draws inspiration from his (Lee’s) fascination with the microcosm and the scientific study of cells. Intrigued by the process of cellular division and the journey of growth that begins with a single cell and culminates in the creation of life.”
Jan Thompson, director, School of Journalism and Advertising, directed the 15th annual Baha'i Choral Festival Devotional Concert June 14. This was the first professional four-camera livestream performance for the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.
Kenneth Stikkers, professor, philosophy and Africana studies, recently delivered a presentation “Art as a Way of Life: Aesthetics of Existence in the American Philosophical Tradition” to the Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University in Paris, France, in May. The seminar showed the importance of early American philosophy for understanding later American philosophy, such as pragmatism.
