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Archive for May, 2011

Le inducted as fellow in the American College of Radiology

May 31st, 2011

QUYDr. LeNH-THU LE, professor of radiology, was recently inducted as a fellow in the American College of Radiology (ACR). Recognition as a fellow is one of the highest honors the ACR can bestow on a radiologist, radiation oncologist or medical physicist. ACR fellows demonstrate a history of service to the college, organized radiology, teaching or research.

Le, who is also associated with Bio-X and with the Cancer Center, focuses her research on the identification of biomarkers for prognosis in patients with head, neck or lung cancers.

Le is a member of the ACR, the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, the American Radium Society, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Association for Cancer Research.

Two Stanford engineers receive industry awards

May 26th, 2011

Ken Salisbury

Scott Delp

SCOTT DELP, the James H. Clark Professor in the School of Engineering, has been named the 2011 recipient of the American Society of Biomechanics Borelli Award, acknowledging his outstanding career accomplishment in biomechanics. Delp is a professor of bioengineering and of mechanical engineering and, by courtesy, of orthopaedic surgery.

Named for 17th-century Italian mathematician Giovanni Borelli, considered to be the father of modern biomechanics, the Borelli Award is the most prestigious honor given by the society. Selection is based on the “originality, quality and depth of the research and the relevance” of work.

KEN SALISBURY, research professor of computer science and of surgery and, by courtesy, of mechanical engineering, has been named the 2011 winner of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inaba Technical Award for Innovation Leading to Production, given annually by the IEEE’s Robotics & Automation Society to recognize innovation that has evolved into a commercial product.

Salisbury was cited specifically for his “contributions to commercialization of products in medical robotics, robotics and haptics.”

Juniors Margaret Chapman and Vineet Singal receive public service scholarships

May 25th, 2011

Margaret Chapman

Two Stanford juniors have been awarded scholarships from The Donald A. Strauss Public Service Scholarship Foundation to pursue service projects during their senior year. Established by the family of late alumnus DON STRAUSS, the $10,000 scholarships are given to 10–15 California college juniors annually. At Stanford, the scholarships are administered through the Haas Center for Public Service.

MARGARET CHAPMAN, a mechanical engineering major, will travel to northern Peru to help provide the rural village of Vista Alegre with electricity using LED and micro-hydro-technology.

“I was fortunate to visit developing countries with my family when I was little,” Chapman said. “In college I discovered that what I really enjoyed was the application of science to solve real world problems.”

At Stanford, Chapman is involved with the Stanford chapter of Engineers for a Sustainable World and has worked with the group in Peru since her sophomore year.

Vineet Singal

VINEET SINGAL, a biological sciences major, will work with Anjna Patient Education, an organization he co-founded that provides health education services to free clinics. Singal will work at Schuman-Liles clinic in Oakland to create interactive educational modules utilizing iPad kiosks, as well as creating prototypes for text message-based outreach at free clinics. Following this pilot, Singal plans to expand to free clinics in high-need areas throughout the United States.

“The greatest challenges our world will ever face are present as we speak — global warming, energy, war, health care and disease — and it is only through firm and relentless action that we can solve them,” Singal said.

At Stanford, Singal is the student leader of One Hundred Thousand Cheeks, a campaign to register 100,000 members of South Asian descent on the national bone marrow registry.

DON STRAUSS ,’37, demonstrated a lifelong commitment to public service and education. In his hometown, Newport Beach, he was a member of the school board for ten years, served on the city council for 12 and also served as mayor. Following his death in 1995, Strauss’ widow, Dorothy M.R. Strauss, established the Donald A. Strauss Public Service Scholarship Foundation in 1997. Since that time, the foundation has awarded 206 scholarships to students with a demonstrated record of community and public service.

— Katie Pfeiffer

Russell Brewer takes helm at Office of Sponsored Research

May 24th, 2011

RUSSELL BREWER has been promoted to associate vice president of the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR). The appointment was effective Monday. Brewer will report to RANDY LIVINGSTON, vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer, and to ANN ARVIN, vice provost and dean of research.

“In his leadership of OSR, Russell will seek to balance strong service to faculty and research staff while ensuring oversight for grant management compliance with university policies and sponsor requirements,” Livingston said in an email announcement.

Brewer has more than 20 years of experience in research administration, including several years at Baylor University and Texas A&M.

He succeeds BARBARA COLE, who left Stanford last Friday for the University of Miami, where she will serve as associate vice president for research administration.

“I greatly appreciate Barbara’s leadership of the Office of Sponsored Research over the past 18 months. Please join me in wishing Russell and Barbara well in their new roles,” Livingston wrote.

 

 

Angelina Cardona wins Sterling Award

May 23rd, 2011

Alumni Association President Howard Wolf and Angelina Cardona

Graduating senior ANGELINA CARDONA has received the Stanford Alumni Association’s 2011 J. E. Wallace Sterling Award for outstanding service to Stanford.

HOWARD WOLF, president of the Alumni Association and vice president for alumni affairs, announced the award at a private reception earlier this month.

Cardona, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in international relations, has been actively involved in campus life. She is the immediate past president of the Associated Students and previously served as chair of health and wellness for the ASSU Executive Cabinet. She also has served as a resident adviser.

The Sterling Award cited Cardona “for developing creative solutions to further the cause of student wellness on campus” and for “applying a rare combination of drive and graciousness, as well as perspective and passion.”

The Alumni Association presents the Sterling Award annually to a graduating senior whose undergraduate activities have made an impact on campus and demonstrate the strong potential for continued service to the university and the alumni community.

The award is named for the late J. E. Wallace Sterling, who served as Stanford’s president from 1949 to 1968.

Amy J. Blue Awards ceremony on video

May 20th, 2011

On Tuesday, May 17, President John Hennessy presided over the Amy J. Blue Awards ceremony. Because of the rainy weather, the celebration was held inside Lagunita Dining Hall, rather than its usual spot in the outdoor courtyard. Still, it was a bright day for this year’s honorees: MANUEL BAUTISTA, a plumber in Student Housing; DEAN A. EYRE III, program assistant in Undergraduate Advising and Research; and PECHE TURNER, department manager in the Department of Computer Science. The award honors outstanding staff in memory of Amy J. Blue, an associate vice president for administrative services and facilities, who died of brain cancer in May 1988.

 

 

Bike to Work Day by the numbers

May 19th, 2011

On Bike to Work Day 2011, which took place Thursday, May 12, 1,117 bike commuters were counted passing a campus Energizer Station, according to ARIADNE SCOTT, Stanford bicycle program coordinator. Here are some other numbers Scott shared:

  • 539 Stanford bike commuters officially checked in/signed in at one of the nine Energizer Stations on campus and reported miles ridden.
  • For the nine Energizer Stations on campus, Stanford commuters reported riding a total of 3,611 miles, averaging 6.7 miles per trip for 539 riders that reported their miles.
  • The 3,611 miles of avoided car trips resulted in 1,556 kg (or 3,430 pounds) of CO2 emissions avoided. The per mile emissions factor used for automobiles is 0.431 kg CO2/mile or 0.950 lb. CO2/mile. This is based upon an average passenger vehicle fuel economy of 20.4 mpg, the 2006 figure from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Medical School students Anthony Kaveh, a.k.a. Sprocket Man, and Sneha Shrestha greeted riders and promoted helmet use at the Energizer Station near Stanford Hospital.

Scott added that “all of the riders who signed in will be entered into a drawing to win one of five sets of ‘platinum’ bike bags to celebrate our recent designation as the only platinum-level university by the League of American Bicyclists.”

And always thinking safety first, Scott noted that riders who take the Stanford Bike Safety Pledge by May 31 will be eligible to win a free bike donated by the Campus Bike Shop.

Scott said that this year her office also tracked walkers for the first time. Those who signed in are eligible for one of two $100 gift certificates to the Walking Company. All winners will be announced June 6.

Two Student Affairs staff members win 2011 Margaret Ann Fidler Awards

May 18th, 2011

Suzanne Abel, left receives her award from Margaret Ann Fidler

SUZANNE ABEL, associate director for external relations at the Haas Center for Public Service, and CAROLE PERTOFSKY, director of wellness and health promotion services at Vaden Health Center, each recently received a 2011 Margaret Ann Fidler Award for Distinguished Service in Student Affairs.

The award specifically recognizes those who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to their work and the mission of the university and whose work reflects integrity and a “sincere belief in the value of teamwork and collaboration.”

Pertofsky, left, receives her award from Fidler

The award citation for Suzanne Abel read:

 

  • For passionate and empathetic leadership across Stanford and within many constituencies and communities;
  • For fully embodying and exemplifying Stanford’s excellence and values;
  • For “walking the talk” in tireless commitment to the common good;
  • For unwavering dedication and personal connection to students, staff colleagues;
  • And, for remaining to be one of the last holdouts to still deliver hand-written notes.

The award citation for Carole Pertofsky read:

  • For vision, collaboration and leadership across Student Affairs, Stanford University and the community;
  • For advocacy, passion and dedication to holistic student development;
  • For almost 20 years of extraordinary innovation and commitment to the well-being of Stanford students;
  • And for being the personal wellness and happiness “Guru” for all.

After reading the citation, MARGARET ANN FIDLER, former associate vice provost for administration in Student Affairs, presented each winner with a plaque. The winners, each of whom also received a $1,000 prize, were honored during a May 10 Student Affairs Service Awards breakfast. Former Vice Provost for Student Affairs JIM MONTOYA created the award to honor Fidler when she retired in 2001.

- Kathleen j. Sullivan

Women’s water polo beats Cal for the national title

May 17th, 2011

The Cardinal Women's water polo team celebrates after their NCAA championship win against Cal Sunday

The Cardinal women’s water polo team captured the NCAA title with a 9-5 victory against the University of California in Sunday’s final at Ann Arbor, Mich. Senior goalie AMBER OLAND had 11 saves on Sunday, and sophomore ANNIKA DRIES scored five goals.

Senior KIM KRUEGER, and juniors ALYSSA LO, PALLAVI MENON and MELISSA SEIDEMANN each scored goals for the Cardinal in Sunday’s win.

On Saturday, Krueger scored three goals in the semi-final against USC and Oland had 10 saves.

“Between the two seniors, they had their two best games each of their four-year careers yesterday and today,” Head Coach John Tanner said in a post-championship video. “You talk about saving the best for last and counting on your seniors when you need them. They were unreal.”

The team won the NCAA championship in 2002. With Sunday’s win, Stanford Athletics celebrates its 101st NCAA championship. Read the full announcement on the Stanford Athletics website.

The Cardinal Walk rocks!

May 16th, 2011

Urged on by Provost John Etchemendy and the Stanford Marching Band, hundreds of staff, faculty and students, walked away from Roble Field at noon Friday for a 1.5 mile jaunt around campus. The Fifth Annual Cardinal Walk was part of the larger BeWell@Stanford program, which offers incentives for members of the Stanford family to eat right, get exercise and stay healthy.