For the Record, Feb. 6, 2026

Article by UDaily staff Photo by Evan Krape February 06, 2026

University of Delaware community reports new publications, exhibitions, grants, presentations, honors and memorials

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

Recent publications, exhibitions, grants, presentations, honors and memorials include the following:

Publications

Lindsay Naylor, associate professor in the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences, has written a new book, All Geographers Should Be Feminist Geographers: Creating Care-Full Academic Spaces. In the book, Naylor examines that while care is a critical component of human life, it has remained on the margins of higher education and theory, heightening unequal relations along gender, race and class lines. Naylor argues for a feminist approach in geography that is both world-dismantling and world-making, pushing back against a neoliberal academy. To read more about her book, check out an interview with Naylor at the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment website.

Ravi Ammigan, vice provost, Global Engagement; Matt Drexler, director, Study Abroad; Marie Gleason, senior study abroad coordinator; and Amy Greenwald Foley, director, Global Outreach and Partnerships, published 100 Years of Study Abroad: Reflections from University Students, Alumni, Faculty, and Staff. This edited STAR Scholars Network volume commemorates a century of global learning at the University of Delaware and brings together a collection of personal essays written by students, alumni, faculty and staff that capture the profound impact of studying across diverse cultural and national contexts. The stories highlight moments of adaptation, resilience, discovery and engagement that many authors describe as instrumental in shaping their personal, academic and professional growth and the 100-plus year trailblazing history of study abroad at UD.

Heinz-Uwe Haus, professor emeritus in the Department of Theatre and Dance, published in the the recent issue of revista alternante (Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Nr 1 (50), 2026) an essay “Biblical certainties – Notes on Theodor Damian: Cuvânt însetat de tăcere / Words that thirst for silence,” Editura Eikon, Bucharest 2025, 124 pp. The Romanian-American poet and scholar Damian expresses the meaning and forms of the legend of Mary of Egypt in poetic reflection. His poems are a kind of shorthand for how to approach life in a way that pleases God. They create a “use value” (Brecht) for the Christian heritage by exploring and appropriating its broad richness. "The collection is a testament to the Christian spirit and his tireless pursuit of ultimate truth and meaning…. the author mobilizes the incomprehensible: He opens up a dimension of magic that points to something greater— an anthropological constant," Haus said.

Daniel Lee, associate professor of entrepreneurship in the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, has released a National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) working paper examining “fast failure” in entrepreneurship. The study draws on a randomized experiment involving 553 science- and technology-based startups across 12 U.S. co-working spaces. Lee’s research provides new insights into how intensive, short-term entrepreneurship training influences venture outcomes, including survival, funding, employment and revenue growth. The findings suggest early training interventions may help entrepreneurs make more informed decisions about whether to continue or exit ventures. The paper is currently under review at the Journal of Financial Economics.

New research by Daniel White, associate professor of physical therapy, and Sydney Liles, a biomechanics and movement science doctoral student and alumna of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, found that adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who had patterns that included little activity in the morning and evening had roughly double the risk of death from any cause over eight years. The secondary analysis examined hip accelerometer data from nearly 2,000 participants to identify daily activity patterns linked to mortality. Their findings, published in the journal Arthritis Care and Research on Dec. 22, 2025, highlight how patterns of activity throughout the day may provide important insight into health risks for adults with knee OA.

Exhibitions

'Homestead' by Greg Shelnutt, found and altered chairs, rough-cut lumber, paint, recycled nails, twine, found steel, concrete and paint, 86 inches, x 23 inches x 23 inches, 2025.

Greg Shelnutt, professor of art, will have his sculpture on display as a part of the national group exhibition, “Annotated Forms: Craft in Conversation with the Archive,” at the Craft Alliance, St. Louis, Missouri, March 6- April 26, 2026. The exhibition was juried by Craft Alliance's 2026 Visiting Artist, Kimberly Winkle. Winkle is a maker and educator based in Cookeville, Tennessee, known for her distinctive work in furniture, objects and woodturning, which combine refined form with color and surface pattern. She serves as professor and director of the School of Art, Craft & Design at Tennessee Tech University and holds a BFA in ceramics from the University of Oklahoma and an MFA in fFurniture design from San Diego State University. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and featured in publications such as Fine Woodworking and 500 Chairs.

Grants

Jiniya Chakradhar and S M Rakib Uz Zaman — both doctoral students in the Department of Biological Sciences — were awarded grants from Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, during the fall cycle of its Grants in Aid of Research (GIAR) program. Chakradhar’s research project is titled “Functional Characterization of the Cataract-Linked RNA-Binding Proteins Celf1 and Elavl1 in Lens Development and Cataract.” Her adviser is Professor Salil Lachke. Rakib Uz Zaman’s research project focuses on “Investigating the Mechanisms by Which Gremlin 1 Regulates Fibrotic Lens Disease.” His adviser is Melinda Duncan, associate vice president for research and director of the Delaware INBRE program. UD’s awardees were among 48 selected from hundreds of applications submitted nationwide, with funding ranging from $300 to $5,000.

Presentations

Matthew Trevett-Smith, director of CTAL and assistant professor of anthropology, organized a multi-institutional panel, “Driving Impact Together: Collaborative Success Stories from CTLs and Undergraduate Vice Provosts,” featuring Teresa Focarile (Boise State University), Stephanie Laggini Fiore (Temple University), Megan L. Mittelstadt (University of Georgia), Emily Moerer (Temple University), Marisa Anne Pagnattaro (University of Georgia), and Susan Shadle (Boise State University) for the 2026 UERU National Conference. He also organized and participated in a multi-institutional roundtable, “Building Bridges: A Roundtable on Fostering CTL and UVP Partnerships” collaborating with Molly Hatcher (University of Texas at Austin), Michael Palmer (University of Virginia), and Cassandra Volpe Horii (Stanford University) for the same conference. Also at the conference, Trevett-Smith worked with Meghan Biery, FYS program manager, Nathan Elton, executive director, postgraduate and student success integration, Sally Healy, director, academic coaching and tutoring, Rose Muravchick, associate director, CTAL, and Charissa Powell,department head, student success and curriculum partnerships, UD Library, Museums and Press, to co-organize two sessions, “Digitally Integrated and On Demand: Bridging Student Success Through the LMS” and “Reshaping Foundations: Optimizing Physical Spaces for Seamless Student Support.” In addition at the conference, Trevett-Smith joined a multi-institutional panel, “Scholarship Reconsidered: A Panel Discussion of “Boyer-ness” in Contemporary U.S. Higher Education” organized by Scott Greenberger (Grand Canyon University) and also featuring Laura Cruz (Penn State University Park), Will Miller (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) and Michael Reder (Connecticut College).

Adam Foley, director of diversity education, assessment and outreach, presented a poster, “AI as an Equity Enabler: Developing Student-Centered, Data-Driven Approaches to Inclusive Excellence Under Evolving Policy Landscapes” for the 2026 UERU National Conference.

Honors

Duygu Phillips, assistant professor of entrepreneurship in the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, has received a 2024–25 Schulze Publication Award in the Research Insight category. The award recognizes her article, “Using Humble Language Can Drive Market Success,” published on the Entrepreneur & Innovation Exchange (EIX), a peer-reviewed platform for entrepreneurship research. Named for Best Buy founder Richard M. Schulze, the Schulze Awards honor the most impactful EIX and FamilyBusiness.org contributions. Phillips’ work was recognized for its clarity, practical insight and relevance to entrepreneurs worldwide.

In Memoriam

Estelle Tabasko, who conducted benefits orientations for new University employees from 1973-1992 eventually becoming assistant benefits manager, passed away Jan. 27, 2026.

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