$7.5 million to further infrared research
FAYETTEVILLE -- A pair of University of Arkansas, Fayetteville professors will receive $7.5 million to lead a research team studying infrared imaging devices for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Shui-Qing "Fisher" Yu and Gregory Salamo received the award given out as part of the Defense Department's Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative.
Their team, which includes researchers from four other universities, will study silicon germanium in alloys as part of an effort to fabricate faster and more energy-efficient imaging devices, according to the university.
"This is a significant award -- the first MURI with the University of Arkansas as a lead institution," Dan Sui, UA's vice chancellor for research and innovation, said in a statement.
Beyond military applications, the research could improve imaging technology used in health care and other areas, Yu and Salamo said in a statement.
Researchers from Arizona State University, Dartmouth College, the University of Massachusetts-Boston and George Washington University will take part in the project.
Award named for admissions chief
FAYETTEVILLE -- An award has been named after the top admissions official at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
The Suzanne McCray Exemplary Service Award will be given out by the National Association of Fellowships Advisors, a membership organization for faculty and staff members helping students apply for higher education grants, scholarships and fellowships.
McCray, UA's vice provost for enrollment, received the inaugural award in July to recognize her "second to none" contributions to the profession," Robyn Curtis, secretary for the organization, said in an email.
Criteria for the award, to be given out every two years, include "consistent substantive contributions to the ongoing growth, stability, and development" of the organization, said Curtis, director of Clemson University's Office of Major Fellowships.
UA has a similar office, and McCray has worked to help students receive national fellowships.
McCray served as president of the National Association of Fellowships Advisors from 2003-05.
"I was surprised and deeply honored to receive this award from NAFA, which is filled with so many people I admire and just really like," McCray said in a statement.
$2 million to aid in study of disease spread
FAYETTEVILLE -- A University of Arkansas, Fayetteville researcher has received a grant of more than $2 million from the National Science Foundation to study how infectious disease spreads among wildlife.
Kristian Forbes, an assistant professor, will study wild rodents in northern Europe and what is known as hantavirus.
"What we are trying to do is understand why some individual animals are susceptible to infections and some aren't, and why some are more likely to transmit the virus," Forbes said in a statement.
Hantaviruses can cause disease in people, and Forbes said his work "has direct implications for human health."
UA picks head of distance learning
FAYETTEVILLE -- Cheryl Murphy has been named the next top administrator for distance learning at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Murphy, 49, will take on her new role Oct. 1. She has previously held various positions with UA in a career of more than 20 years, including department chairman for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and co-director of the Teaching and Faculty Support Center.
Distance education is "vital to strengthening the U of A's reputation nationally and internationally," Murphy said in a statement, adding that it can directly support other campuswide priorities.
Murphy will take over as vice provost for distance education from Don Judges, who will retire from the role on Sept. 15.
Murphy will earn a salary of $224,000 and previously earned $152,995, UA spokesman Mark Rushing said. Judges earns a salary of $262,650.
NW News on 09/09/2019