Tags: faculty

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kudos, February 2024

The parade of excellence also known as the Franklin College faculty was on full display during the month of February. National awards of professional distinction and achievement bring honor and pride to the University of Georgia and congratulations from friends, colleagues, students, and alumni. A round up the of the recent announcements: Michelle Momany, professor in the department of plant biology and the Fungal Biology Group, is one of 65 new…

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Presidential Interdisciplinary Seed Grants

Devoted to advancing interdisciplinary research across multiple application areas, ten university-wide projects have been awarded Presidential Interdisciplinary Seed Grants as part of the 2023 cohort. The Franklin College congratulates  faculty involved in the the program's two tracks: For the first time, this year’s program has two tracks: New Frontiers and Cluster Engagement. The New Frontiers track is intended to support early-stage…

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Momany elected to American Academy of Microbiology

University of Georgia faculty member Michelle Momany is one of 65 new fellows elected to the American Academy of Microbiology, Class of 2024. Fellows of the American Academy of Microbiology, the honorific leadership group within the American Society for Microbiology, are elected annually through a highly selective, peer-review process, based on their records of scientific achievement and original contributions that have advanced…

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Paving the way for Partnerships for Essential Minerals

UGA, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University and the Georgia Mining Association kicked off February with the first of what promises to be a long-standing workshop to develop essential, critical mineral resources in Georgia. The Georgia Essential Minerals (GEMs) workshop at UGA featured geology faculty experts and stakeholders from across government and industry: Demand for critical minerals and rare earth elements is rapidly increasing as the…

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Downs named Regents’ Professor

Diana Downs, Distinguished Research Professor in the department of microbiology in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences,  is one of two University of Georgia faculty members named Regents’ Professors for the widespread reach and impact of their scholarship and creative activity.  Regents’ professorships are the highest professorial recognition bestowed by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. Known as an expert in…

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Noted and Quoted, January 2024

Franklin faculty experts welcomed the New Year with advice, experience, perspective, and new research reported in media around the world. Take a journey with our well-versed and generous colleagues in a sample of January's noted and quoted: Next-gen Starlink dish offers more consistent higher speeds, say early users (John Gibbs) – PC Magazine The changing perceptions of what leadership means to people – Brian Hoffman, professor of psychology,…

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New study describes relationship between weather, chronic pain

The perception of weather-related increases in chronic pain leads many people to plan their activities around forecasts and influences the desire for pain-based weather forecasts, according to a new research study from UGA geography. In a survey, about 70% of respondents said they would alter their behavior based on weather-based pain forecasts: “We’re finding more consistent relationships between weather patterns and pain, so it seems more…

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Divisional spotlight: Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Much like the five element families of the Periodic Table, the Franklin College is also comprised of five divisions that characterize the properties, behavior, and reactions among and between the many academic disciplines that drive innovation and creativity at the University of Georgia.  We continue to welcome 2024 by highlighting the divisional nature of our organizational structure and the academic units contained in each division. Today…

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Morales-Franceschini wins MLA book prize

The Modern Language Association of America announced its thirty-third annual Katherine Singer Kovacs Prize for an outstanding book published in English or Spanish in the field of Latin American and Spanish literatures and cultures. The winner is Éric Morales-Franceschini, associate professor of English and Latin American and Caribbean studies in the University of Georgia Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, for The Epic of Cuba Libre…

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Active learning intervention challenges race-based medicine

Despite ongoing efforts in the corporate world and academia to untangle and correct inaccurate notions about race and biology, strong currents of belief and practice continue to challenge what can appear to be a broader awareness. For example, although race has no biological basis, medical school training curricula tend to misrepresent race and reinforce biologically-essential components of race as explanations for disease. As the social…

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Second annual School of Computing Research Day

The University of Georgia School of Computing (SOC) held its second annual SOC Research Day on Nov. 17 to celebrate the rapidly growing prominence of computing research across the university. The keynote, senior administration, and faculty speakers helped lay out a vision for the next era of computing at UGA. Our colleagues at UGA Research Communications share the story: Held in the Georgia Center for Continuing Education, the event pulled…


End of semester thank you video from Dean Stenport

On reading day, Franklin College Dean Anna Stenport thanks our community of friends and alumni, colleagues and students, looks back on recent accomplishments, and previews the next steps in advancing the arts and sciences at the University of Georgia.    

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Theatre provides the stage for blending the arts and AI

Theatre and Film Studies associate professor John Gibbs brings his excitement for science to his teaching and research in drama. All along, he knew the potential of artificial intelligence was lurking. Now that computer-aided design is ready to have an impact on just about every field, Gibbs is prepared to meet the new tools more than halfway. Our colleagues in UGA Research Communications share the story: “I was born about five years too…

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Annual Holiday Concert

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music presents the annual Holiday Concert, a tradition for the faculty and students of the Franklin College, the University of Georgia,  and the Athens community. Fo two nights – beginning tonight – this cornucopia of some our strongest ensembles is the perfect start to your holiday season. Featuring the UGA Symphony Orchestra, Hodgson Singers, University Chorus, UGA Glee Clubs, British Brass Band, Jazz Ensembles…

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Kudos, November 2023

We are grateful for the fine work of our faculty, staff, and students, and so happy to see them acknowledged on campus, in the community, and [quite] beyond. A few recent achievements by our colleagues and by Franklin College students: Mariah Cady, senior in the Franklin College and School of Public and International Affairs, majoring in Russian and international affairs with minors in geography, German, and president of the Native American…

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Noted and Quoted, November 2023

We are indeed thankful for the research findings and expertise from Franklin faculty members shared regularly in media across the globe. Archeology and the dangers of online gambling lead November's samples of recent stories and coverage:   Why school location can expose certain kids to more air pollution – Marshall Shepherd, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Science and Franklin College…

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Beckmann to receive national award for Mathematics education

Sybilla Beckmann, Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus, will receive the 2024 American Mathematical Society Award for Impact on Teaching and Learning of Mathematics. The $1,000 award is presented annually by the American Mathematical Society to a mathematician (or group of mathematicians) for significant contributions of lasting value to mathematics education. “Beckmann is nationally recognized for her seminal…

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The healing power of music

Whether soothing, stirring, or inspirational, the power of music touches a boundless soul language in all of us – and probably more than a few animals, as well. Music as therapy in all its connotations logically follows the contours of this language. Music therapy as discipline and practice uses music to address conditions with few other avenues for treatment. The Hugh Hodgson School of Music music therapy program connects the power of music…

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Homecoming Tailgate 2023

You are invited to the 2023 Franklin College of Arts and Science Homecoming Tailgate! Join Dean Anna Stenport on the New College Lawn outside New College for Flying Biscuit Cafe, beverages, and pre-game fun! Georgia v. Missouri Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 12:30 p.m.   New College Lawn located between New College and the Chapel Register Now Please register to purchase tailgate tickets. The attending cost includes a catered lunch by Flying Biscuit…

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Finding balance: the psychology of self-control and justifications

In a world where immediate gratification often takes precedence, the concept of "treating yourself" has evolved into a call for indulgence and abundance. It's a phrase that frequently evokes images of overpriced lattes, impromptu shopping sprees, and the unceasing pursuit of fleeting pleasures. But is this culture of self-indulgence truly as innocent as it may seem? Researchers at the University of Georgia published a new paper examining the…

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Spotlight on the Arts, 2023

Happy Halloween! The week/month-long celebration of ghosts, ghouls, and making merry with costumes and candy – thanks, Wild Rumpus! – comes to end tonight. It will be time to put away the makeup and pumpkins and make way! Spotlight on the Arts begins Nov. 1 with a nice segue: Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernandez: Día de los Muertos  Mariachi master José Hernández and his Sol de México boast a history as rich and colorful as mariachi…

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New director Gagan Agrawal discusses the future of UGA School of Computing

The University of Georgia elevated its longstanding department of computer science to a School of Computing in July 2022 in response to rising student enrollment, the growing role of computing in a range of fields, and the institutional investment in a Presidential Hiring initiative in data science and artificial intelligence. Created within an interdisciplinary framework, the School of Computing is jointly administered by the Franklin…

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Kudos, October 2023

In the campus community, across the state and around the nation, we applaud the outstanding work by Franklin College faculty and students announced during October. A sample of the awards, grants, performances, and milestones: Organizers of this year’s Atlanta Art Week invited nine M.F.A. students at the Lamar Dodd School of Art to present the group exhibition “Unlisted” at The Works in Atlanta’s Upper Westside. The discipline of dance:…

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Focused on the fuel

Franklin College faculty and graduate students across the life sciences are engaged in bringing next-generation transportation fuels to market through a variety of ongoing research efforts. From  refinement of living organisms to breaking down sugars to release the energy in biomass, extraordinary researchers are developing new methods for displacing fossil fuels from the carbon budget. Our colleagues in the Office of Research share the…

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Noted and Quoted, October 2023

Sharing disciplinary expertise and opinion on issues of the day are important constituent elements of public scholarship. Franklin College faculty and graduate students do their part month in, month out, enhancing the reputation of UGA and Franklin College in the process. A sample of the many stories across the media featuring our colleagues:   What Hollywood gets right-and wrong-about real-life AI – Stephen Mihm, professor and head of the…
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