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

Recent publications, presentations, service and honors include the following:

Publications

Tarang Parekh and Daniel Harris, assistant professors of epidemiology, recently published a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health Interview Survey. The analysis found that between 2021 and 2023, preventive cardiovascular screenings decreased across all disability types except sensory disabilities. The findings, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, underscore the urgent need for disability-inclusive reforms as the nation looks beyond the pandemic.

Alisa V. Moldavanova, associate professor and director of the Master of Public Administration program in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration and a senior faculty fellow at the Institute for Public Administration, recently served as the lead author on the journal article “What Does it Take to Have a Healthy Community? Exploring the Role of Social Infrastructure in Shaping Public Health.” Published in The American Review of Public Administration, this article addressed the ongoing decline of health in the United States while providing additional data to deepen the public’s understanding of the various factors that shape community health. The findings of this publication help to extend previous research that mainly focused on health care systems as a determinant of health outcomes. The article relies on the social determinants health framework, which argues for a more integrative and dynamic approach to public health. As an extension of that framework, Moldavanova, Dorothy M. Daley and John C. Pierce examined the connection between three pillars of social infrastructure (social capital, human capital and creative cultural capital) and community health, showing that each of these pillars have a positive impact on public health.  

Presentations

On June 23, 2025, Adil Bentahar, associate professor in the English Language Institute, delivered the keynote speech at Moulay Ismail University's (Morocco) first conference on English Language Teaching and Digital Futures. His speech, titled "Bringing Reading to Life in Moroccan EFL Classrooms: Way Forward," addressed cultural and social barriers to English as a Foreign Language teachers and students in Morocco.

First-year biomechanics and movement science doctoral student Alix Rule represented UD’s Athletic Training Research Laboratory at the 2025 World Congress on Science and Soccer in Glasgow, Scotland, in June. Rule works with faculty mentor Thomas Kaminski, professor of kinesiology and applied physiology, on his U.S. Soccer study, which aims to set new heading standards for youth soccer worldwide. She presented a poster on “Examination of neck strength and balance in a cohort of U12 boys soccer players over one competitive season.” 

On June 24, 2025, the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration (IPA) co-hosted a collaborative policy forum titled “Addressing Delaware’s Demographic Trends and Infrastructure Challenges: Models for Opportunity and Innovation.” This forum was coordinated and moderated by Julia O’Hanlon, health and aging policy services coordinator at IPA, in partnership with the Delaware Department of Transportation’s Division of Planning, Delaware Population Consortium and WILMAPCO. The keynote speaker, Todd Poole, president of 4ward Planning Inc., presented on the impact of commercial land-use trends, including mixed-income and multigenerational redevelopment. Dan Blevins, principal planner at WILMAPCO, provided a summary of recent demographic trends, projections and implications in Delaware. Mike Quaranta, president of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, and Robert Herrera, co-founder of 9th Street Development Company, discussed public-private perspectives and opportunities for Delaware. Todd Poole also joined the final session with Blevins and Dave Gula of WILMAPCO on suburban corridor planning. Discussions throughout the day focused on Delaware's housing and development challenges. Presenters and participants discussed ways to simplify approval processes and explore strategic partnerships to address the affordable housing shortage while updating regulations to better support community development needs.

On Wednesday, June 11, the annual Delmarva Freight Summit took place in Newark, Delaware, presented by the Delmarva Freight Working Group, which includes the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration (IPA), and WILMAPCO. Troy Mix, associate director of IPA, hosted and helped to coordinate the gathering. Eric Johnson, senior technology editor, Journal of Commerce by S&P Global, offered keynote remarks on trade uncertainty and what it means to local transportation networks. Mark Glagola and Tim Shaw, executives with Logistics Property Company LLC, offered an analysis of the market outlook for industrial real estate. Additional presenters included Cooper Bowers, transportation planner, DelDOT; Ted Foglietta, AICP, vice president, Century Engineering; and Don Weber, PE, senior project delivery Leader, RK&K. The annual Delmarva Freight Summit enhances awareness of major freight planning programs by sharing information regarding significant freight and goods movement trends while encouraging partnership development. IPA is a research and public service center in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration.

Service

In June, trainees with the University of Delaware’s Mandela Washington Fellowship Program partnered with UD’s Partnership for Healthy Communities’ HEALTH for All program, the Route 9 Library and Innovation Center, and the Food Bank of Delaware to volunteer at a community food distribution event. The Mandela Washington Fellowship provides training to young African leaders around strengthening democratic institutions, spurring economic growth, and enhancing peace and security. The Mandela Washington Fellowship Program is co-directed by Yendelela Cuffee, associate professor of epidemiology, and Jessica Edwards, associate professor of English. It is also led by Administrative Co-Directors Tracy Jentzsch, program manager for the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Public Humanities, and Colin Miller, director of global arts in CAS, and overseen by Ravi Ammigan, associate provost for international programs.

Honors

Two University of Delaware students and alumni were among the 500 additional students selected by the National Science Foundation to have their honorable mention status elevated to full recipients of the 2025 Graduate Research Fellowship program. Keely Laurence, a UD doctoral student in biomedical engineering, is working to improve treatment outcomes for individuals living with skeletal muscle injuries resulting from traumatic injury or surgical intervention. These types of injury can cause debilitating effects for patients, such as irreversible loss of muscle mass and function. Under the guidance of Brian Kwee, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, Laurence is exploring ways to precisely engineer skeletal muscle tissue that restores function and improves the efficacy of tissue engineered therapeutics. Her work aims to leverage distinct muscle cell subpopulations to overcome current challenges in the field related to restoring function. Nolan Petrich, who earned his honors bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at UD in May, is now at the University of Colorado-Boulder.

On June 9, 2025, Ed Freel received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award from the Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children (DEAECY). Freel has dedicated his life’s work to public service, working extensively in both state government and education in his current role as a senior fellow at the Institute for Public Administration (IPA) in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, and previously as a University of Delaware professor and Delaware Secretary of State. Freel was one of several award recipients honored as a champion of early childhood education. In a letter addressed to Freel, U.S. Sen. Sarah McBride recognized his achievements by writing, "In championing the vital cause of early childhood education, you have helped to build the foundations of equity, opportunity  and well-being that every child deserves. You understand that when we invest in our youngest learners, we are not only supporting families today–we are shaping the future of our communities.” DEAECY is an affiliate of the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a leading membership organization for those who work with and on behalf of children from birth to age 8.

On June 24, 2025, University of Delaware Police (UDPD) held its annual Award and Recognition Ceremony, which included special honors for several individuals: Master Police Officer Robert Pappa received the Police Chief’s Commendation, which recognizes a department member or private party who – through service to UD and/or the community – exemplifies or enhances the professional standards of UDPD. Pappa also received four other awards, including three Distinguished Unit Commendations. Master Police Officer Valerie Battles received the Medal of Valor, UDPD’s highest honor, which is presented to an officer who is directly responsible for an act of bravery and heroism rendered in the protection of life that potentially placed their life in peril. Lt. Anthony Battle, Sgt. Dan Garibaldi and MPO Pappa received the Lifesaving Award.

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