Xiao receives International Life Science Institute Future Leader Award
Hang Xialao, Food Science, received a 2012 International Life Science Institute Future Leader Award, annually given to two early-career nutritionists or food scientists who show exceptional promise to become foods and health leaders. News Release
Senior White receives MacCurrach Award from GCSAA
UMass’s Peter White, a senior Turfgrass Science and Management major, has been awarded the 2012-13 Allan MacCurrach Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
Halgin receives Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman National Award
Richard Halgin, Psychology, received the Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman National Award, given to teachers who have inspired their former students to make a difference in their communities.
Gerber says college students find farming a rewarding career
John Gerber, Stockbridge School of Agriculture, says college students are finding that food production is a rewarding career because it is about community involvement and social principles, not just growing things. Boston Globe
Auerbach helps to solve mystery of how cellulose chains break down
Scott Auerbach, Chemistry, and Paul Dauenhauer, Chemical Engineering, have discovered how cellulose chains break down with heat, reporting in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Journal of the American Chemical Society, News Release
Auerbach models fast pyrolysis at the molecular level
Scott Auerbach, Chemistry, and Paul Dauenhauer, Chemical Engineering, and others modeled for the first time at the molecular level the activation energies needed for reaction in cellulose known as “fast pyrolysis.” Clean Energy
Decker comments in feature story about Culinary Institute of America adjusting its curriculum to include more science-based instruction
Bradley gives keynote address at International Conference on Culture, Climate Change, and Politics
Ray Bradley, Geosciences, gave the keynote address at the International Conference on Culture, Climate Change, and Politics on September 14. News Release
Spencer receives $2M NIH grant to study the effects of napping and sleep on toddlers
Rebecca Spencer, Psychology, received a $2M, five-year grant from NIH’s Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to advance knowledge about the effects of napping and sleep on memory, behavior, and emotions of preschoolers. NewParent.com, News Release
Baldwin, McCallum, Novak receive top UMass award
Cynthia L. Baldwin, Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Andrew McCallum, Computer Science, and Melinda A. Novak, Psychology were three of five nationally acclaimed faculty members who received the UMass Amherst 2012 Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Research and Creative Activity, presented during the eighth annual Faculty Convocation on Sept. 14, 2012.
Gido receives $600,000 NSF grant to study superelastomers
Sam Gido, Polymer Science and Engineering, is part of a research team that has received a $600,000 NSF grant to study and create new superelastomers, material that can be used in recyclable automobile tires and thinner surgical gloves. Forbes, Fast Company, Knoxville News Sentinel
Childs says the arrival of emerald ash borer in Berkshire County could threaten area forests
Robert Childs, Stockbridge School of Agriculture, says state officials’ evidence the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect that kills ash trees, has arrived in Berkshire County could mean trouble for forests in the region. Boston Globe, WFCR
Rotello develops detection system for metastatic cancer cells
Vincent Rotello, Chemistry, leads a research team that has developed a rapid, sensitive way of detecting microscopic levels of metastatic cancer cell types in living tissues using a sensor array system of gold nanoparticles and proteins to sense cancer types. Huffington Post, Bio-Medicine, Science Daily, Nanowerk.com, R&D Magazine, Ubergizmo.com, Science Codex, Physorg.com, News Release
Zoeller questions EPA appointment of chemical industry advocate
R. Thomas Zoeller, Biology, questions the hiring of a former chemical industry advocate to a head the EPA’s program testing industrial chemicals’ danger, given the prospective employee’s past statements on industrial chemical concerns. Chicago Tribune
Richardson receives $400,000 NIH grant to study adolescent binge drinking and brain development
Neuroscientist Heather Richardson, Psychology, has received a $400,000 grant from NIH’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to study how adolescent binge drinking affects development in the prefrontal cortex, which controls decision-making and emotions. News Release
Decker receives Advancement of Application of Agricultural and Food Chemistry Award
Eric Decker, Food Science, received the Advancement of Application of Agricultural and Food Chemistry Award from the American Chemical Society. News Release
McClements says design, use of food-grade nanoparticles must be done carefully
Julian McClements, Food Science, says care should be taken in designing and using food-grade nanoparticles to ensure they do not adversely affect human health. Chemistry World
Briseño receives a Presidential Early Career Award
Alejandro L. Briseño, Polymer Science and Engineering, is one of six researchers chosen to receive Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the nation’s highest honor for young scientists. Briseño was cited for "outstanding research accomplishments in areas of organic semiconductor nanoelectronics and molecular crystals and breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of organic interfacial crystallization."
Mangan project brings specialty crops to immigrant families
Frank Mangan, Stockbridge School of Agriculture has brought dozens of ethnic food crops popular among various immigrant groups to markets across Massachusetts. WFCR, News Release
Ryan receives Award of Merit from International Society of Arboriculture
Dennis Ryan, Stockbridge School, Director of the Arboriculture and Community Forestry Program, received the International Society of Arboriculture Award of Merit for his service in advancing principles, ideas and practices of arboriculture. News Release
Santangelo awarded $2M NSF grant for self-folding polymer sheets
Christian Santangelo, Physics, is lead scientist of a research team that includes Ryan Hayward, Polymer Science and Engineering, that received an $2M NSF grant to develop self-folding polymer sheets for highly tunable mechanic responses. News Release
Lerman, Warren suggest native landscaping in urban areas can offset biodiversity loss in cities
A study by post-doc Susannah Lerman, and her advisor, Paige Warren, Environmental Conservation, suggests that urban yards that include native vegetation offer birds “mini-refuges” and help reduce the loss of biodiversity in cities. Science360, Physorg.com, ScienceDaily, redOrbit.com, News Release
UMass Amherst proposal selected by NASA Space Technology Program
A UMass Amherst proposal, “Representing and Exploiting Cumulative Experience with Objects for Autonomous Manipulation,” makes the university one of five organizations in the nation to win funding from NASA’s Space Technology Program for innovative technology development. Boston Business Journal
Ratnaswamy named director of Northeast Climate Research Center
Mary Ratnaswamy has been named director of the Department of the Interior’s Northeast Climate Research Center. The center is headquartered at UMass Amherst and will provide local, state, and federal land managers access to the best science regarding climate change and landscape-scale stressors impacting natural resources. News Release
Grotevant quoted in article about open adoptions
The Minnesota/Texas Adoption Research Project, co-led by Harold Grotevant, Psychology, is featured in an article about the increasing prevalence of open adoptions in the Wall Street Journal. Wall Street Journal
