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

Recent appointments, publications and honors include the following:

Appointments

Allison Karpyn, professor in the College of Education and Human Development’s Department of Human Development and Family Sciences and co-director of its Center for Research in Education and Social Policy, has been appointed to Delaware’s Food is Medicine Committee. Housed under the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy, the committee is a statewide initiative to improve health outcomes, lower healthcare costs and strengthen local food systems through the power of nutrition. Karpyn brings extensive experience in research related to food insecurity, policy and program evaluation, among other areas.

Publications

Jennifer Horney, director of UD’s public health program, edited a new book published by Johns Hopkins Press. The Conversation on Extreme Weather focuses on the impacts of climate change on the environment, health, housing and employment. The collection of essays from The Conversation, an independent news site featuring articles written by scholars and experts, explores how climate change contributes to record-breaking heatwaves, droughts and floods, aiming to enhance readers’ understanding of extreme weather and how they can prepare for the future. The collection features several UD research groups, including the Gerard J. Mangone Climate Change Science and Policy Hub and the Disaster Research Center.

Honors

Jennifer Saylor, associate dean of faculty and student affairs and associate professor in the School of Nursing, received the 2025 Excellence in Honors Mentoring Award. The prestigious award from the Honors College recognizes faculty who go above and beyond to guide, inspire and push their students to excel as scholars and have a positive, lasting impact on their students’ academic and professional lives. In nominations, Honors students praised Saylor as someone who “constantly challenged me to be my best and gave me space to share ideas…allowing me to learn and grow,” and someone who “recognizes the challenges of balancing rigorous academics with personal well-being.” Another student noted that Saylor “embodies everything an outstanding Honors mentor should be.” Saylor received the award at the Honors Medal Ceremony at the Field House on May 22.

Caitlin Gallo, a doctoral candidate in the Biomechanics and Movement Science program in the College of Health Sciences, received the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Biomechanics Interest Group Dissertation Award at the ACSM Annual Meeting in Atlanta in May. The award recognizes early research achievements based on scientific quality. Gallo’s research focuses on addressing broad public health concerns around participating in contact and collision sports. Specifically, Gallo is investigating repetitive head impacts and concussion effects on cognitive function, quality of life, and postural control in aging adults. Her research also examines lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, cardiovascular health, and social engagement, and how these factors may interact with head trauma history to influence outcomes later in life.

In Memoriam 

Pedro Sierra Sr., retired custodial technician, passed away May 23, 2025. Mr. Sierra retired in 2012 after 16 years at UD.

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