2015-16 Wilson H. Elkins Professorships to Support Research in STEM Disciplines, Business Data, and African American Studies
Adelphi,
Md. (Aug. 14, 2015) -- The 2015-16 University System of Maryland
(USM) Wilson H. Elkins Professorships have been awarded to faculty members at
four USM institutions, in disciplines spanning organic chemistry, business data
analytics, African American studies, and teaching in the STEM (science,
technology, engineering, mathematics) disciplines.
The Elkins
Professorships support professors and researchers who demonstrate exemplary
ability to inspire students and whose professional work and scholarly endeavors
make a positive impact at their institutions, across the USM, and beyond.
Candidates
for the Elkins Professorship must possess a solid record of achievement in
their academic or professional disciplines; demonstrate a desire and ability to
lead and inspire undergraduate and graduate students; show significant
achievement beyond their traditional disciplines; and demonstrate ability and
intent to pursue scholarly or professional endeavors beyond USM.
This
year's award winners are, by institution/professor:
Coppin State University-to support the
work of Hany F. Sobhi, associate
professor of organic chemistry at Coppin State University. Dr. Sobhi continues to make significant contributions to
his field by developing new biomarkers for the diagnoses of specific inherited
metabolic diseases and thoroughly engaging undergraduate students in related
applied research projects. ($80,000)
Bowie State University-to support the work of George Ude, professor in the Department
of Natural Sciences, as he continues and enhances his dedication to STEM
teaching, research, and service and for his significant incorporation of
students in those experiences. The knowledge and skills gained from his work
have the potential to have a long-standing impact on the university and the USM.
($13,401)
University of Baltimore-to support the work of Jaya Singhal, Baker Professor of
Business Analytics in the Merrick School of Business. Dr. Singhal's award will
position her to extend beyond her academic discipline of business analytics and
study trade-and-innovation dynamics. She will investigate the impact of
innovation on changing levels of trade benefits and pursue innovations in
curriculum development and teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
($38,000)
University of Maryland, College
Park-to support
the recruitment of Oscar A. Barbarin, a celebrated authority in multiple social sciences disciplines, to be the new chair of the Department of African American Studies. He has contributed to the social sciences
during the course of 41 years. The award recognizes his great promise for
continuing the tradition of excellence at the University of Maryland, College
Park and across the USM. ($40,000)
The Wilson
H. Elkins Professorship honors the late Wilson H. Elkins, who led the
University of Maryland flagship campus to new levels of distinction as its
president from 1954 to 1978. The Wilson H. Elkins Endowment Fund supports the
professorship awards in combination with institutional and system resources.
This endowment and others like it further USM's mission of teaching, research,
and public service.
For more
information, visit the Wilson H. Elkins
Professorship web page.
Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu
