For the Record provides information about recent professional activities and honors of University of Delaware faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Recent presentations, awards and publications include the following:

Presentations

Anita Dini, a graduate student in the Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences, presented her abstract titled “Longitudinal changes in body weight, body fat, and physical activity following a health screening among obese and non-obese male firefighters” at NUTRITION 2023 hosted by the American Society of Nutrition Sciences. Working with Sheau Ching Chai and Richard Suminski, both associate professors, Dini used statistical methods to draw conclusions from 4 groups categorized by different levels of behavior changes. The team measured overall health risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as their amount of regular exercise, body fat percentage, weight, and more. Results determined that 57% of the obese and 40% of the non-obese firefighters made behavioral changes after their awareness of health risks increased. The observational study concluded that health screening and raising awareness of health risks leads to positive behavior changes. 

Awards

Eleftherios “Terry” Papoutsakis, the Unidel Eugene Du Pont Chair Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, has been named a class of 2023-2024 Hagler Fellow by the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University. The Hagler Institute for Advanced Study was established in 2010 with the goal of bringing elite talent to Texas A&M for the duration of their fellowship. Each year, the institute names nationally and internationally recognized scholars as Hagler Fellows: an honor given only to world class professionals with outstanding achievements in their subject areas. Hagler Fellows then participate in advanced study within their fields of research in collaboration with students and staff at Texas A&M for up to twelve months, which can be spread out over multiple years. Papoutsakis has earned the title of Hagler Fellow through his advancements in the metabolic engineering field and through his involvement in high caliber research organizations such as the National Academy of Engineering. The class of 2023-2024 Hagler Fellows will be inducted in the spring of 2024 during the Hagler Fellows Gala. Following the gala, Papoutsakis will work with the Texas A&M College of Engineering for the duration of his fellowship. 

Daniel White, physical therapist and associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, recently received the Excellence in Investigative Mentoring Award from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). This award spotlights a dedicated ACR member for their contributions to the rheumatology profession through continuous and impactful mentoring. White is a mentor to graduate students within the Interdisciplinary Biomechanical and Movement Science (BIOMS) program who aspire to have a career in clinical research. “When training future clinician-scientists, there’s no guidebook for the best practices. Given that science is predominantly built on failure, that is disproving what we think we know, it can be quite frustrating to start in this field,” White said. “Creating an environment where someone can be enthusiastic, even through life lessons and obstacles, is an art best strengthened by a positive attitude and a growth mindset.” 

Valdese West, assistant policy scientist at the University of Delaware’s (UD) Institute for Public Administration (IPA), was inducted into the Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40 Class of 2023. The DBT40 is a program that honors and celebrates 40 leaders under the age of 40 years old who are elevating Delaware’s business community by taking it to new heights. Valdese is known for her belief in the power of positivity and the impact of support for professional growth. She is recognized for her outstanding work at IPA, a research and public service center in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, where she organizes professional retreats and skill-building workshops through the Conflict Resolution Program (CRP). Valdese also serves as the institutional director of the Delaware Municipal Clerks Institute, providing holistic professional training to local government employees working in Delaware and Maryland municipalities. Valdese also serves on the executive committee of the Delaware ACE Women’s Network, where she encourages professional development for women in higher education around the state by planning the Leadership Summit and hosting a session called “Discover Happiness: Grow and Glow Development Strategies.” The 2023 DBT40 honorees were recognized at the awards program on September 13, paying tribute to their creative ideas, ambitions, and direct involvement with the Delaware community.

Publications

Weisong Shi, Professor and Chair of the College of Engineering’s Department of Computer & Information Sciences, has been appointed to serve as the Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Internet Computing. Shi, whose term will run from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2025, will also serve as a member of the Magazine Operations Committee and as an ex officio, non-voting member of the Publications Board.

Dannagal Young, professor of communication, is celebrating the release of her new book, Wrong: How Media, Politics, and Identity Drive Our Appetite for Misinformation, published by Johns Hopkins University Press. In her new book, Young examines how political leaders and media organizations capitalize on social and cultural identities to separate, enrage, and mobilize the public. Young’s book delves into how Americans' political identities drive misinformation, but also presents solutions on how to combat this dangerous trend of misinformation. Young will be leading a relevant discussion at her book launch party on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at Head House Books in Philadelphia. All are welcome to attend and join Young’s discussion on the psychology of misinformation and the role of social identity in American politics.

Rudi Matthee, John and Dorothy Munroe Distinguished Professor of History, published “Writing Capitalism into Iranian History” in Iranian Studies: Volume 56 - Issue 2, pp. 403-07.

Annie Johnson, associate university librarian for publishing, preservation, research and digital access, has published an essay in the book Scholarly Communication Librarianship and Open Knowledge: Law, Policy, Economics and Publishing, edited by Josh Bolick, Maria Bonn and Will Cross (Chicago: Association of College and Research Libraries). Johnson's essay is titled “The Relationship Between University Presses and Academic Libraries: Past, Present, and Future."

The New York Public Library has published Max Beerbohm: The Price of Celebrity to accompany the exhibition co-curated by Margaret Stetz, Mae and Robert Carter Professor of Women's Studies and professor of humanities, and Mark Samuels Lasner, Senior Research Fellow, University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press, that opens on Oct. 20, 2023, in the NYPL's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building (Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street). The text is by Margaret Stetz, with Mark Samuels Lasner. This 96-page-long book will be distributed free to the public in the Wachenheim Gallery, the site of their exhibition.

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