Accolades News for Researchers
Posted August 2, 2024 by Tiffany Lee
Honors and Recognitions
David Berkowitz, chemistry, was named a fellow of the American Chemical Society. The award, a first for Nebraska’s flagship, land-grant university, recognizes outstanding contributions to science, the profession and service to the organization. Berkowitz, who joined Nebraska’s Department of Chemistry in 1991, is an expert in synthetic organic chemistry and chemical biology. He previously served as director of interdisciplinary therapeutics research in the Office of Research and Economic Development and as director of the National Science Foundation’s chemistry division. Berkowitz is among 37 fellows who will be recognized at the ACS Fall 2024 meeting in Denver.
James Checco, chemistry, earned a COBRE Rising Star Award from the National Association of IDeA Principal Investigators. The award recognizes individuals who exemplify ideals of research excellence and commitment to mentoring and who have established independence through a Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence program. Checco has contributed his expertise in the molecular details of intercellular communication, particularly cell-to-cell signaling peptides, to the university’s National Institutes of Health-funded Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication.
Jenny Keshwani, biological systems engineering, received the IDEA Award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Award recognizes outstanding contributions by an individual or group to ASABE-related programs that have resulted in significant improvement in the parameters of inclusion, diversity, equity and access for underrepresented groups and helped the society foster a welcoming and safe community for all members.
Taeyeon Kim, educational administration, received the Educational Change Special Interest Group Emerging Scholar Award from the American Educational Research Association. The award is presented to an individual in the first eight years of their post-doctorate career as an educational scholar who has demonstrated a strong record of original and significant scholarship related to educational change. Kim’s research explores the intersections of leadership and policy, with particular focus on how leaders can challenge unjust systems and humanize practices to empower marginalized students and communities.
Katja Koehler-Cole, Nebraska Extension, received the Nebraska Achievement Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. This award is presented to extension professionals with less than 10 years of service. Koehler-Cole is a statewide soil health management extension educator focusing on teaching and researching soil health and regenerative agricultural practices. Koehler-Cole also serves as the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education state co-coordinator, helping to raise awareness of sustainable agriculture resources.
Matt Kreifels, agricultural leadership, education and communication, received the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute’s Award of Merit from the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council. Kreifels was recognized for his longstanding commitment to teaching and mentorship of the next generation of ag educators. At the university, he leads the agricultural education teacher preparation program, coordinates professional development for Nebraska agricultural education teachers and manages the Nebraska Beginning Teacher program.
Tierney Lorenz, psychology, received the Rising Star Award from the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. Lorenz, who directs the Women’s Integrative Sexual Health (WISH) laboratory, conducts research exploring the interaction between mental, physical and sexual health, including how sexual behavior impacts immune and endocrine function.
Bijesh Maharjan, agronomy and horticulture, and Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension, both received the Commendation Award from the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Society. The award recognizes SWCS members for service to their chapter or council of chapters.
Glennis McClure, agricultural economics and Nebraska Extension, received the Search for Excellence in Farm and Ranch Business Management Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. The award recognizes the development and execution of an outstanding educational program in farm and ranch management. McClure was honored for her work to develop and disseminate the Agricultural Budget Calculator program, a free online enterprise budgeting program for farm and ranch businesses. She accepted the award at the association’s annual conference, held July 14-18 in Dallas.
Peter McCornick, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska and biological systems engineering, received the Sukup Global Food Security Award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. The award recognizes enhancement of food security by innovative engineering or the application of engineering in the production and distribution of food, including the storage and handling of grains, oilseeds and other food products. McCornick, executive director of DWFI, is an internationally recognized expert in improving the sustainable management of water resources.
Barney McCoy, broadcasting, co-directed and produced “Running Towards the Fire – A War Correspondent’s Story,” which received the Grand Prize for best TV documentary at the Marina del Rey Film Festival. The documentary captures the pivotal role of war correspondents during the Allies’ 1944 D-Day invasion of Europe and subsequent defeat of Nazi Germany and the Axis powers in 1945. The film draws heavily from the previously unpublished memoirs of Robert Reuben, an Omaha-born war correspondent who parachuted into Normandy, France, hours before the invasion and was the first journalist on the ground.
Wayne Ohnesorg, Nebraska Extension, received the Nebraska Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. This award honors extension professionals with more than 10 years of service who have conducted outstanding programs and are held in high esteem by their fellow workers. Ohnesorg’s areas of expertise are integrated pest management, insect pest management, insect identification and mobile scouting tools. Additionally, he is a panelist on Backyard Farmer and delivers commercial, non-commercial and private pesticide applicator training.
Paul E. Read, agronomy and horticulture, received the 2024 American Society of Enology and Viticulture – Eastern Section Distinguished Service Award. Read recently served as chair-elect, chair and past-chair on the ASEV-ES board and assisted with other committees and services. He was honored during the 48thAnnual ASEV-ES Conference, July 9-11 in Cleveland.
Marilyn Wolf, computing, received the 2024 Distinguished Service Award from the Special Interest Group on Design Automation of the Association of Computing Machinery. The award is given to individuals who have dedicated many years of their career in extraordinary services to promoting, leading or creating ACM and SIGDA programs or events. Wolf was honored for her extensive services to the electronic design automation community. She was presented with the award at the 2024 Design Automation Conference in June.
Publications
The University of Nebraska Press and the International Quilt Museum published “A New Deal for Quilts” by Janneken Smucker, which received the 2023 New Deal Book Award. The award was established by the nonprofit Living New Deal in 2021 and recognizes nonfiction works about U.S. history during the New Deal era. Smucker’s book explores the United States government’s use of quilts and quiltmaking in response to the economic turmoil of the Great Depression.
Other News
Jennifer Johnson Jorgensen was named chair of the Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design in the College of Education and Human Sciences. She assumed the role July 1 and is working to support faculty, staff, students and stakeholders as they work to fulfill the industry’s needs and mitigate the shortage of industry professionals. Jorgensen earned her master’s and doctorate degrees from the department, then joined as a lecturer in 2015. She earned her bachelor’s degree at North Dakota State University. Jorgensen replaces Maria de Guzman, who served as chair for the past three years and is returning to her appointment as professor and youth development extension specialist in the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies.
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