uicnews.uic.edu February 15 2017 Volume 36 / Number 21 uicnews.uic.edu For the community of the University of Illinois at Chicago Researchers of the Year Celebrating UIC scientists advancing knowledge in their fields / pg. 5

Photo: Jenny Fontaine

Leaders detail Faculty to Spacial planner 2 - student voice impact of perform in to head urban 4 - campus news budget ‘Ivan the planning, 9 - calendar impasse Terrible’ policy 10 - deaths 3 4 11 12 - sports Facebook / uicnews Twitter / uicnews YouTube / uicmedia Flickr / uicnews Instagram / thisisuic & uicamiridis 2 UIC News | Wednesday, February 15, 2017 LUNARNew Year

By Bri Cooper — [email protected]

Lunar New Year is a celebra- dents worked together to create tory time in East Asia that brings the filling before wrapping their together family, friends and own wontons. The activity gave loved ones to welcome prosper- residents an opportunity to get ity and good fortune into their behind the scenes and make lives. In Campus Housing’s something simple and delicious James Stukel Towers (JST), resi- for the New Year. dents did just that Feb. 1 by en- Nearly 400 wontons were gaging in fun activities that produced in a single night, and taught them the history and cul- not a single one remained. ture behind this month-long hol- Residents also made paper iday. lanterns to hang in their resi- More than 80 residents came dence hall rooms. together in JST for a night of cel- Red envelopes also were dis- ebration. Residents made their tributed and residents wrote own wontons, Chinese dump- fortunes and “good luck” notes Students celebrate Lunar New Year Feb. 1 with cultural food and paper lanterns in James Stukel Towers. lings that are steamed. Resi- to give to their friends. uicnews.uic.edu UIC News | Wednesday, February 15, 2017 3 Cure Violence rises to No. 12 on list of top global NGOs By Sharon Parmet — [email protected]

Cure Violence is ranked 12th in NGO Advisor’s lence acts like a contagious disease, spreading from 2017 report of the Top 500 NGOs in the world, one of person to person as people adopt the behaviors they the definitive international rankings of non- observe in their friends and peers. governmental organizations. Cure Violence has been “Being named as one of the top NGOs in the world among the top 20 NGOs for four consecutive years is truly an honor, and we are happy to share it with our and moved up two places from last year. many partners who are implementing the Cure Vio- Cure Violence uses a public health approach to lence model around the world,” Slutkin said. “We see stop the spread of violence in communities by detect- the ranking as a recognition of the importance of re- ing and interrupting conflicts, identifying and treating ducing violence, especially as it is on the rise in so the highest risk individuals and changing social norms many places; also of the impact of public health meth- — resulting in reductions in violence of 40 percent to ods, which have been so valuable in so many other 70 percent. Cure Violence is effective in lessening fields in helping to address violence.” street and youth violence, as well as family violence, Several external evaluations have shown its ap- cartel, tribal, election and prison violence and is in- proach reduces acts of violence by 40 percent to 50 creasingly being consulted on violent extremism and percent in the first year, and up to 70 percent over a mass shootings. two- to three-year period. Cities around the world have turned to the Cure Vio- “We have shown with our Cure Violence model that lence model to prevent violence — from sectarian vio- the results in reducing violence are immediate once lence in Iraq, to community violence in Honduras, to the program goes into place in a community,” Slutkin prison violence in England. Programs are expanding said. into new communities in Mexico, El Salvador, Guate- Recent research has also shown that when violence mala and Latin America, as well as in the Middle East, interrupters trained by Cure Violence are active in their including Syria. Cure Violence has more than 100 part- own communities, reductions in shootings and killings ners on four continents in more than 40 cities and can be sustained for years — and when those pro- communities. grams are temporarily reduced, violence can re- The organization was founded in 1995 by Gary emerge. Slutkin, professor of epidemiology and global health in “There is a lot of demand for Cure Violence now, “There is a lot of demand for Cure Violence,” says Gary the School of Public Health, and formerly of the World and we hope to be able to meet this demand,” Slutkin Slutkin, professor of epidemiology and global health. ­(Photo: Vibhu S. Rangavasan) Health Organization. It is based on his idea that vio- said. “That’s our responsibility now.”

UIC leaders detail impact of budget impasse By Francisca Corona — [email protected]

As the state budget stalemate nears its a draft of the fiscal 2017 budget, following the two-year mark, university officials are prepar- same planning assumptions as 2016, will be ing to make additional budget cuts while con- posted. tinuing to diversify revenue streams. Starting in fiscal 2018, additional measures “We have been holding our ground,” Chan- will be taken to address the shortfalls, including cellor Michael Amiridis told community mem- selective budget cuts, which could fall anywhere bers at a town hall held by the Academic between 3 percent and 10 percent. Professional Advisory Committee Feb. 9, “A lot of it depends on the size of the hole we addressing the budget gridlock’s effects, have,” Amiridis said. “but I don’t know for how much longer we’ll Despite the university’s financial situation, he be able to.” noted that UIC will not close. Amiridis and other university leaders ex- “It will continue to grow, it will continue to grow plained that UIC has not received a full-year organically like we have over the last few years budget appropriation since fiscal 2015, and and it will continue to grow through merger ac- even though stopgap funding was approved in quisition, the way we have historically grown over fiscal 2016, sending $180 million to the Uni- the years,” he said. versity of Illinois system, the amount was And student enrollment has actually increased about 27 percent of what the system expected over the last few years. to receive, leaving UIC with a budget shortfall “That’s a saving ground for us,” Amiridis added. of about $125 million. The stopgap partially Recruitment of students from outside of Illi- funded Monetary Assistance Program (MAP) grants, ate chancellor and vice provost for budget and re- nois, including 39 international students in January, is too, but it only provided $170 million statewide, about source planning. “At this time, we have no appropriation one of the university’s revenue streams that adminis- 45 percent of the fiscal 2015 appropriation. for the remainder of the year,” she added. A gap of $75 trators are focusing on, said Susan Poser, provost and To address the shortfall, UIC placed 39 percent of million remains. vice chancellor for academic affairs. She expects that units’ and departments’ state, institutional and student The state has also failed to fund $32 million in MAP the university will establish revenue-producing part- fee accounts in escrow at the close of the last fiscal grants, which UIC has accepted “in good faith, expect- nerships for online programs, and deans have been year; the money is expected to be returned after bud- ing the state to pay us back,” Amiridis said. Without fur- asked to prioritize fundraising. In the future, administra- gets has been approved. ther action from the state, the university has a potential tors would like to pursue public-private partnership For fiscal 2017, UIC has received only about six liability of being short $107 million in fiscal 2017. agreements that could finance the construction of new months of its appropriation, said Janet Parker, associ- Until a state budget is authorized for this fiscal year, campus facilities. 4 UIC News | Wednesday, February 15, 2017 CAMPUS NEWS ‘Ivan the Terrible’ to feature UIC faculty By Carlos Sadovi — [email protected]

Yasen Peyankov, associate professor and head of theatre, will perform with the Chicago Symphony Or- chestra and the Chicago Symphony Chorus in upcom- ing presentations of “Ivan the Terrible.” Peyankov, who is based in UIC’s School of Theatre and Music, will serve as narrator, and French actor Gé- rard Depardieu will perform as Ivan. Riccardo Muti will conduct the orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Chorus. UIC adjunct voice faculty Amy Pickering and Klaus Georg, as well as Ashlee Hardgrave, music programs manager/admissions and recruitment in the depart- ­(Photo: Jenny Fontaine) ment of music, will sing with the chorus. Performances take place at 8 p.m. Feb. 23, 24 and 25 at Orchestra Hall, 220 S. Michigan Ave. “Ivan the Terrible” was a film collaboration between Going bald for composer Sergei Prokofiev and director Sergei Eisen- Yasen Peyankov, associate professor and head of the- atre, performs in “Ivan the Terrible.” cancer research stein that details the bloodthirsty tyrant Ivan IV Vasily- evich, tsar of Russia from 1533 to 1584. By Jackie Carey — [email protected] A native of Bulgaria, Peyankov trained in the tradi- nated for a Jeff for his translation of Chekhov’s “Ivanov.” The Children’s Hospital University of Illinois will tion of Konstantin Stanislavski at the National Academy His film credits include Robert Altman’s “The Company,” host its annual head-shaving event to raise money of Theatre and Film Arts of Sofia and co-founded the and he has appeared in nine television series, includ- for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. European Repertory Company in Chicago in 1992. ing “The Practice” and “Early Edition.” Staff, physicians and families of children with He received a Jeff Award, Chicago’s counterpart to For information and to purchase tickets, call (312) cancer volunteer each year to have their heads the Tony, for his work in “Morning Star,” and was nomi- 294-3000 or visit cso.org shaved in support of childhood cancer research and fellowships. Sign up to be a “shavee” or to volunteer or donate online at bit.ly/2kPeIvA WIEWEL LECTURE sions that take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, The event takes place from 8 to 10 a.m. Feb. Amy Liu, Brookings vice president and Metropolitan April 1 through May 6. 16 at the University of Illinois Hospital. Policy Program director, is the keynote speaker for the For more information and to register, visit UI Health provides comprehensive services to annual Wiewel Lecture in Urban and Economic Devel- go.uic.edu/projectmanagement children and adolescents with cancer, leukemia, opment. sickle cell disease, hemophilia and other blood Liu’s speech, which takes place at 5 p.m. Thursday HEALTH DISPARITIES disorders. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation began as at Student Center East’s East Terrace, focuses on the The latest lecture in the Institute for Research on a challenge between friends and has since grown recent transformation of economic development. A Race & Public Policy’s Embodied Inequality Series will into the world’s largest volunteer-driven fundrais- reception will follow. examine racial disparities in the U.S. health care system. ing program for childhood cancer research. “A Cure for Racial Inequality in American Health HEALTH WEBINARS Care,” takes place at 4 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Moss Audito- University of Illinois employees can attend a free rium, College of Medicine Research Building. and 5 p.m. webinar series on healthy living topics this spring, Speaker is Dayna Matthew, University of Colorado For more information, visit uicimpact.uic.edu hosted by the University of Illinois Extension. Law School and School of Public Health and co- The next webinar, scheduled for 1 to 2 p.m. Thurs- founder of the Colorado Health Equity Project. ALCOHOL, DRUGS POLICY day, is centered on knowing your health numbers. RSVP to [email protected] The 2016–2017 UIC Alcohol and Other Drug Policy For more information, visit bit.ly/2kQlS0W outlines the university’s standards of conduct, related VIDEOS HIGHLIGHT ETHICS policies and established disciplinary actions for sub- LADIES NIGHT OUT The University Ethics and Compliance Office has stance violations. Support women’s athletics and breast cancer begun releasing quick, five-minute videos discussing The policy is a reminder for new and returning stu- awareness as the UIC women’s basketball team bat- important topics related to university business, such as dents and is in accordance with federal and state tles Detroit Thursday. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. travel, gift acceptance, and other training and guidelines. The fourth annual Ladies Night Out will feature a compliance-related matters. For more information, visit bit.ly/2kd1u84 reception, game, beverages and giveaways for $15. View the most recent video on the topic of employee Chancellor Michael Amiridis will honor breast can- gift acceptance, “Gifts in 5 Minutes” at bit.ly/2lmyInq STUDENT OMBUDS SERVICES cer survivors with a pink basketball at halftime. The Student Ombuds Service provides an impartial For ticket information, email [email protected] UIC IMPACT DAY advocate for fairness who investigates student com- Students can showcase their scholarly pursuits by plaints. PROJECT MANAGEMENT presenting their experiences April 3. The types of complaints addressed by this service UIC Extended Campus will host continuing and pro- UIC Impact Day is dedicated to giving students the include: grade disputes, grievance procedures, student fessional education courses in project management floor to exhibit posters or conduct creative presenta- record errors, billing/financial issues, registration prob- this spring. tions about their internships, leadership, career devel- lems, and other administrative concerns. Participants will learn from UIC experts, improve opment or involvement. For information, visit dos.uic.edu/ombudsfaq their project management skills and prepare for Proj- The event, cosponsored with the Student Research To request assistance, call 312-996-4857 or visit ect Management Institute exams in five course ses- Forum, will take place at the UIC Forum between 1 p.m. go.uic.edu/StudentAssistIR

Send campus news information to Christy Levy at [email protected] uicnews.uic.edu UIC News | Wednesday, February 15, 2017 5

The Researcher and Scholar of the Year Awards recognize eight UIC scientists who are advancing knowledge in their fields. The Distinguished Researchers Researcher Award honors three researchers with a record of outstanding achievement. The Rising Star Award honors early-career researchers who of the Year show promise as future leaders. Writers: Bill Burton, Jackie Carey, Francisca Corona, Christy Levy, Carlos Sadovi

Architecture, archaeology of the ancient Middle East

ART, ARCHITECTURE ranean world with special attention to & THE HUMANITIES modern day Turkey, Iraq and Syria. He has published extensively and is current- Ömür Harmanşah ly working on a book on the politics of Rising Star ecology in the Middle East. He writes on the social media repre- When Ömür Harmanşah was growing sentations of the “destruction of antiqui- up in Turkey, he was able to understand ties and archaeological museums in the the landscape and history of his birth- Middle East, and the precarious state of place as he and his siblings followed his cultural heritage at the time of ISIS.” parents, who worked for the state and Harmanşah is a sought-after lecturer constantly moved when their postings whose passion for his research has taken changed. him to institutions in Germany, Oxford, He credits the influence of his father, and across the United States, said Lisa an agricultural engineer, and his mother, Lee, director of the School of Art and Art a library scientist, with helping spawn his History. Lee, who nominated Harmanşah dream to study and chronicle the world for a Rising Star award, said he has an around him. ability to connect theoretical questions “Having some impact on the world, on the lives of people with my writing, was kind of “Becoming an academic and having across different fields of inquiry. my dream all along,” says Ömür Harmanşah. ­(Photo: Jenny Fontaine) some impact on the world, on the lives “As a scholar of archeology, architectur- of people with my writing, was kind of al history, and the material culture of the my dream all along,” said Harmanşah, Middle East and the Eastern Mediterra- al design, Harmanşah said his interest in nature of our cultural world,” he said. associate professor of art history. nean, Harmanşah’s record of scholarly the history of landscapes and people’s “As academics and public intellectuals, Harmanşah, who calls himself an “ar- publication and professional accomplish- relationship to these landscapes led him what are our responsibilities to world chitectural historian and landscape ar- ment is, quite frankly, astounding,” Lee to work on the politics of the environment. communities and world landscapes in chaeologist,” focuses on the ancient wrote in a nominating letter. “Concerns with cultural heritage is very these difficult times? This is what I am Middle Eastern and the Eastern Mediter- While his background is in architectur- much part of this increasingly precarious aiming to learn.”

Examining the relationships between cells, oxygen

When Marcelo Bonini made the jump mors, occur. The findings could improve BASIC LIFE SCIENCES from Brazil to the United States for his the quality of existing cancer treatment Marcelo Bonini postdoctoral training at the National therapies and outcomes. Institute of Environmental Health Sci- He’s also uncovered the role of ROS Rising Star ences, he wanted to do science that in inflammatory signaling that occurs touched people’s lives. during sepsis, the immune system’s se- “I saw a wealth of resources that I vere and life-threatening response to could utilize to make translational re- infections. Information generated by search more applied research that could Bonini’s studies has proven that chang- eventually improve treatments and clini- es in metabolism can alter the functional cal care of patients,” said Bonini, associ- phenotypes of macrophages, white ate professor of medicine, pharma- blood cells that ingest invading patho- cology and pathology. gens. He’s an expert in the field of redox, or A five-year $2.3 million grant from the reduction-oxidation reactions, biology. National Institutes of Health will fund his He studies how relationships between efforts to engineer macrophages, which cells and oxygen shape their behavior he hopes will treat chronic inflammatory and change their health state, focusing diseases. on the roles reactive oxygen species Provisional patents have been filed or (ROS), a byproduct of aerobic respira- are pending for three of Bonini’s inven- tion in cells, play in biological processes tions, compounds that will serve as new that impact the development of in- therapeutics for cancer or inflammation. flamed and cancerous cells. “It’s a tremendous privilege to have In the area of cancer biology, Bonini the opportunity to discover, reinvent and “It’s a tremendous privilege to have the opportunity to discover, reinvent and invent,” has helped unravel how and why invent, and, by doing that, to touch peo- says Marcelo Bonini. ­(Photo: Jenny Fontaine) cancer-related metabolic shifts, which ple’s lives in the most fundamental ways,” promote the growth and spread of tu- Bonini said. 6 UIC News | Wednesday, February 15, 2017 Researchers of the Year

Providing training to help prevent falls

sustain in the context of the average per- CLINICAL SCIENCES son’s daily life. “Ten years ago, no one came to poster Tanvi Bhatt presentations on slip-perturbation train- Rising Star ing. Now people are interested and I can see the field igniting in this direction,” To Tanvi Bhatt, assistant professor of Bhatt said. Looking to the future, Bhatt physical therapy in the UIC College of would like to see her research make a Applied Health Sciences, the research case for annual fall prevention training to journey is just as important as research be considered just as vital as a yearly results. That is why she has spent her preventive exam. career enthusiastically pursuing lab- “It would be great if our lab equipment based research and is an uncommonly could be in every clinic and in every gym young researcher to hold two National and available to all, even the healthy and Institutes of Health R01 grants simulta- fit,” she said. neously. Bhatt has published nearly 50 schol- “I thrive on a challenge,” said Bhatt, arly manuscripts, 35 since her appoint- who is an expert in fall prevention train- ment as a assistant professor. ing. “I am inspired by the research pro- Shane Phillips, professor and associ- cess and by the opportunity to directly ate head of physical therapy, nominated “I am inspired by the research process and by the opportunity to directly impact men impact men and women who are at risk Bhatt for the award. and women who are at risk for falls,” says Tanvi Bhatt. ­(Photo: Jenny Fontaine) for falls.” “Dr. Bhatt is a dedicated scholar who Bhatt says that her field of research is demonstrates excellent potential to es- injuries associated with falls in the elderly master’s degree in rehabilitation from becoming more popular, in part, be- tablish herself as a next generation sci- and people with neurological insults.” the University of Manitoba and a doctor- cause previous approaches to fall pre- entist, mentor and teacher,” Phillips said. Bhatt is a licensed physical therapist ate from UIC. vention — exercise or prolonged physical “She is at the forefront of the national and has a bachelor’s degree in physical “I view this recognition as a beginning, therapy, for example — are difficult to movement to understand and prevent therapy from the University of Mumbai, a not an end,” Bhatt said.

Finding cheaper, sustainable alternatives to precious metals

The ancient alchemists searched for that have earned their place in the is to use single-site catalysis, where a NATURAL SCIENCES ways to transmogrify base metals, like chemist’s toolkit for cheaper and more precious metal is used in isolation. & ENGINEERING lead, into precious metals such as gold. environmentally friendly alternatives. “Our approach is to use two or more Neal Mankad Neal Mankad, assistant professor of But unlike the medieval alchemists, earth-abundant metals that cooperate chemistry, is trying to do almost the Mankad has had notable success. Just to do what a single precious metal site Rising Star exact opposite — to swap the rare, ex- three years after coming to UIC for his does,” he said. pensive and often toxic metal catalysts first junior faculty position in 2012, he “We’ve had an impact because we’ve received a prestigious Sloan Fellowship, developed processes that don’t require which recognizes the most promising precious metals like palladium, rhodium, young scientists in a variety of fields. His platinum or ruthenium. We try to use research has already received funding earth-abundant metals like copper, iron, from the American Chemical Society’s or manganese.” Green Chemistry Pharmaceutical He and his coworkers will soon pub- Roundtable, the National Science Foun- lish results of a copper-manganese bi- dation and the National Institutes of metallic catalyst. They are seeking a Health. provisional patent on the process. Catalysts allow chemical reactions to Mankad wants to bring this same ap- occur that otherwise wouldn’t, or would proach to different areas of science, in- proceed only slowly and inefficiently. cluding energy storage. They’re used in almost every industrial “We’re trained to make stuff,” he said. process and in every biochemical reac- “We synthesize new metal complexes to tion in nature, Mankad says, “so they’re in catalyze reactions, or to understand bio- all parts of our lives.” Like atomic-scale logical reactions. We make new tools. anvils, they provide a surface upon We want to keep developing new areas which a process can occur but are not where we can take those skills and themselves consumed in the process. make an impact.” Chemists need efficient catalysts to Mankad came to UIC after a postdoc- synthesize pharmaceuticals, which are toral fellowship at the University of large, complex molecules. They need California-Berkeley. He earned his bach- catalysts to create chemical bonds from elor’s and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry, carbon atom to carbon atom, and from respectively, at the Massachusetts Insti- “Our approach is to use two or more earth-abundant metals that cooperate to do what carbon to other atoms. tute of Technology and the California a single precious metal site does,” says Neal Mankad. ­(Photo: Jenny Fontaine) The traditional method, Mankad said, Institute of Technology. uicnews.uic.edu UIC News | Wednesday, February 15, 2017 7 Researchers of the Year

Closing the gap on health disparities

Until then, Magasi is committed to SOCIAL SCIENCES bringing attention to the pressing issues Susan Magasi of health care access, quality and out- comes for men and women with disabil- Rising Star ities through community-engaged participatory research. This type of re- For more than 10 years, Susan Ma- search, she said, helps ensure clinical gasi has been building a significant partners align with disability community body of research documenting and ex- members on the important issues and ploring health care disparities for peo- interventions that are practical and sus- ple with disabilities. tainable in the real world. “I am an occupational therapist by Since joining UIC in 2013, Magasi training,” said Magasi, assistant profes- has been the principal investigator on sor of occupational therapy in the UIC five federal and foundation research College of Applied Health Sciences. “As grants from organizations such as the a practicing clinician, I was always in- National Cancer Institute, the American trigued by understanding what happens Cancer Society and the National Insti- next for my clients who, by accident or tute on Disability and Rehabilitation Re- by birth, struggled in environments that search. This work has focused on were not always welcoming to their dif- activating strengths within the disability ferences and disabilities.” community to encourage peer support “In an ideal world, there would be no need for my field of research, because everyone would have access to quality care,” says Susan Magasi. (­Photo: Jenny Fontaine) Magasi wants to eliminate the gap and facilitate information sharing. The between people who have access to goal, Magasi said, is to help people quality care and people who do not. breakdown common barriers to care. Collaboration to provide screening Suarez-Balcazar, professor and head of “In an ideal world, there would be no Last fall, Magasi put research into ac- mammograms to disabled women. occupational therapy, wrote in nominat- need for my field of research, because tion by launching ScreenABLE Saturday, “Dr. Magasi has quickly distinguished ing Magasi for the award. “Her work has everyone would have access to quality a community health event in partnership herself as a rising star and exemplary had a tremendous impact on the lives of care,” Magasi said. with the Chicago Cancer Health Equality model of engage-scholar,” Yolanda individuals with disabilities.”

Investigating toxic mercury in soil, water

Kathryn Nagy, professor and head of “There’s mercury everywhere,” Nagy She has been collaborating with NATURAL SCIENCES Earth and environmental sciences and said. “Globally, it comes out of the atmo- French researchers in Grenoble to apply & ENGINEERING professor in the Institute for Environmen- sphere — about half there is from volca- new techniques to characterize molecu- Kathryn Nagy tal Science and Policy, is a geochemist noes, and the rest from coal burning and lar binding at lower, environmentally rel- who studies how toxic mercury accumu- incineration.” evant concentrations of mercury, using Distinguished Researcher lates, migrates, and converts chemically The pollutant dissolves in water main- synchrotron X-ray absorption spectros- in soils and water. ly as ionic mercury. It becomes a potent copy. neurotoxin and works its way up the In a recent study, she and her col- food chain — especially in fish — after leagues showed that the amount of mer- microorganisms convert the inorganic cury sulfide mineral in soils downstream mercury into methylmercury. Nagy is try- from the Department of Energy’s Y-12 ing to understand the geochemical con- National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, versions that keep mercury from Tennessee, where mercury was used to becoming bioavailable — with the goal produce fuel for the hydrogen bomb, of predicting when and where mercury could have formed entirely from reduced can be immobilized. sulfur in natural organic matter — a sur- The element that binds to mercury prising observation that challenges the the strongest is sulfur in its chemically view that microbes must form the sulfide reduced forms, she said, but it’s more from dissolved sulfate. In another study, complicated because the microbes that distinct molecular forms of mercury in make methylmercury also chemically human scalp hair — at concentrations as reduce sulfate to sulfide. The problem is low as 1 part per million — were identi- understanding chemical changes in en- fied from specific sources of exposure. vironmental sulfur simultaneously with Nagy received her bachelor’s degree changes in mercury. in geology at the University of Delaware; “For example, with colleagues at the her master’s at Brown University; and her University of Colorado and the United Ph.D. at Texas A&M University. She was a States Geological Survey, we see in the staff scientist at Exxon Production Re- Everglades that sulfate coming from search Company and Sandia National farming activity is changed to sulfide Laboratories in New Mexico before re- and added to natural organic matter turning to academia as an associate pro- “There’s mercury everywhere,” says Kathryn Nagy. ­(Photo: Jenny Fontaine) molecules which then can bind more fessor of geological sciences at the mercury,” Nagy said. University of Colorado, Boulder. 8 UIC News | Wednesday, February 15, 2017 Researchers of the Year

Taking epidemiological approach to define, classify diseases

the foundations of clinical rheumatology,” CLINICAL SCIENCES she wrote in his nominating letter. “His Alfonse Masi epidemiologic orientation provides a framework for studying the causation of Distinguished Researcher the disease.” For example, his research on systemic Alfonse Masi may be retired, but he sclerosis — an autoimmune disease also isn’t leaving research behind. He’s been known as scleroderma — helped define sorting dozens of binders of data from and classify the disease compared to decades of research so a new generation three other similar conditions. The classi- of researchers can continue his work. fication criteria provided features that “I want to reestablish my databases at would distinguish the disease from other home and with collaborators so I can conditions. continue to work with students and junior Masi’s work also helped define fibro- faculty,” he said. myalgia — a disorder characterized by Masi retired Nov. 28 as professor of widespread musculoskeletal pain — from medicine and epidemiology at the UIC other painful disorders. College of Medicine at Peoria after 38 He formulated a biomechanical con- years of service. cept of increased lumbar muscle stiff- As a doctoral epidemiologist, Masi ness in Ankylosing Spondylitis — a form studied a diverse array of diseases. He of arthritis that primarily affects the spine. pioneered clinical-epidemiological re- Masi was surprised to win the Re- search of rheumatic diseases. searcher of the Year award. Masi’s work explored diseases and “It was a mystery — how could I be dif- medical symptoms in new ways, said ferent from all of the other productive Sara Rusch, regional dean in Peoria. and excellent investigators?” he said. “All I “Dr. Masi is an innovative thinker whose Alfonse Masi retired from the UIC College of Medicine at Peoria in November but he can say is that the effort I put in has been plans to continue to work with students and junior faculty on his research topics. publications continue to significantly alter genuine and dedicated.”

Improving health through public policy

fellow of the university’s Institute for SOCIAL SCIENCES Health Policy and Research, is currently the principal investigator on nine Jamie Chriqui grant-funded research projects, all focus- Distinguished Researcher ing on issues at the intersection of public policy and obesity, nutrition and physical Can changes to public policy improve activity. health? “Absolutely,” says Jamie Chriqui, Robin Mermelstein, professor of psy- professor of health policy and administra- chology and director of the Institute for tion in the UIC School of Public Health. Health Policy and Research, nominated Having studied issues like childhood Chriqui for the Distinguished Researcher obesity, tobacco use and chronic disease Award. through the lens of public policy for more “Dr. Chriqui’s work has widespread and than 26 years, Chriqui is one of the na- clear impact,” Mermelstein said. “She ad- tion’s foremost experts on using legisla- dresses one of the most complex health tion and policy to address our most problems facing our nation today, and pressing health challenges. does so with outstanding methodological “My goal is to look at the broader social rigor, as well as with a keen eye towards environment, from public transportation the ultimate dissemination and real- to school lunches, and study how our world translation of her findings into poli- federal, state and local community laws, cy and action. guidelines and ordinances can make “I am honored that this research has health more accessible to the public,” been recognized and that is a reflection Chriqui said. of the outstanding collaborative and With nearly 100 published scholarly team-orientated environment we have articles, Chriqui’s work has been cited as here at UIC,” Chriqui said. background for a number of federal regu- Chriqui has a bachelor’s in political lations on school district wellness poli- science from Barnard College at Colum- cies that address physical activity, bia University, a master’s in health policy nutrition, wellness education and the from the Johns Hopkins University Jamie Chriqui is an expert on using legislation and policy to address pressing health sale of junk food in public schools. School of Hygiene and Public Health, challenges. ­(Photo: Jenny Fontaine) Chriqui, who is also a member of the and a Ph.D. in policy sciences from the University of Illinois Cancer Center and a University of Maryland, Baltimore County. uicnews.uic.edu UIC News | Wednesday, February 15, 2017 9

CALENDAR MORE CAMPUS EVENTS AT events.uic.edu FEB. 15 FEB. 15, 22 FEB. 17–26 WORKSHOP SPECIAL EVENT PERFORMANCE

ENHANCING OUR AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CAPACITY TO TEACH CENTER PRESENTS BINGE FEST ALL LEARNERS Watch and discuss episodes from the web series “The Sponsored by the UIC Movement,” about everyday heroes who fight to re- Center for the Advancement claim and recover marginalized communities. Lunch of Teaching-Learning Com- provided. munities. Noon–1:30 p.m. / African American Cultural Center 1–2:30 p.m. /1-470 Daley Gallery, 207 Addams Hall Library aacc.uic.edu ‘GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS’ FEB. 16 UIC Theatre production, directed by Derrick LECTURE Sanders, features a main cast of women taking over the testosterone-fueled story. WIEWEL LECTURE IN URBAN Feb. 17–18, 22–25: 7:30 p.m. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Feb. 19, 26: 2 p.m. UIC Theatre Amy Liu, vice president and director, Metro- politan Policy Program, Brookings Institute. Tickets : Reception follows. $12 for students and seniors $5 for high school students RSVP at tinyurl.com/zffhkjf $17 for general public 5 p.m. theatreandmusic.uic.edu East Terrace, Student Center East

THROUGH MARCH 4 FEB. 17 FEB. 21 FEB. 22 EXHIBIT SPECIAL EVENT WORKSHOP EXHIBIT

CHAT, CHILL AND ACTIVE LEARNING STORYTELLERS, ART SOUL FOOD IN THE COLLEGE EXHIBIT RECEPTION: Part of 2017 Black CLASSROOM BLOOD AT THE ROOT History Month events. Sponsored by the UIC Part of 2017 Black History 7–9 p.m. Center for the Advance- Month events. African American ment of Teaching- 6–7:30 p.m. Learning Communities. Cultural Center, Montgomery Ward Art Gal- Addams Hall 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. lery, Student Center East 1-470 Daley Library

FEB. 23 LECTURE EMBODIMENT ABSTRACTED: THE INFLUENCE OF YVONNE RAINER “A CURE FOR RACIAL INEQUALITY IN AMERICAN Gallery 400 exhibit gathers together recent HEALTH CARE” works by artists who take up Yvonne Rain- Dayna Matthew, University of Colorado Law School and er’s experimental approach to the body as a School of Public Health and co-founder of the Colorado material in the 1960s and explore its politi- Health Equity Project. Part of the Institute for Research on cal implications with fresh eyes. Race & Public Policy’s Embodied Inequality Series. Tues.–Fri.: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 4–5:30 p.m. Sat.: Noon–6 p.m. Moss Auditorium, College of Medicine Research Building and by appointment Gallery 400, Art and Design Hall RSVP: [email protected]

Send information about campus events to Christy Levy at [email protected] 10 UIC News | Wednesday, February 15, 2017 DEATHS David Featherstone College of Liberal Arts & Sciences David Featherstone, professor and former director of undergrad- uate studies in biological sciences, died Jan. 28. He was 50. Featherstone, a leading educa- tor and researcher, was a neurobi- ologist interested in gene function. He focused on brain genes, specifically synapses — information-transferring and pro- cessing points that brain cells use to communicate with each other — and glutamate receptors, which receive messages from other cells. Research has shown that glutama- tergic synapse strength is deter- mined by the number of postsynaptic glutamate receptors — the more glutamate receptors, the stronger the synapse — and Featherstone’s labs studied genes and molecular mechanisms that control glutamate receptor abun- dance. was tremendously accomplished in “He was a very creative fellow and terms of scientific research, but that very successful,” said John Leonard, pro- never deterred his dedication to the fessor of biological sciences. “He was quality of education for students.,” said quite a guy.” Hormoz BassiriRad, professor of biologi- Featherstone began his undergradu- cal sciences. ate studies as an art and English major Realizing that lectures weren’t always POLICE REPORT FEBRUARY 6–12 at Beloit College in 1984 before trans- an effective way of teaching, Feather- CRIMES REPORTED TO UIC POLICE ferring to Iowa State University, where stone engaged students by letting them Burglary: 1 Criminal sexual assault: 2 he graduated with a bachelor’s in zool- ask him questions instead. He was Criminal defacement: 1 Obstructing justice: 1 ogy, and a master’s in toxicology. He known on campus for his open-door Deceptive practices: 2 Criminal trespass: 1 received a doctorate from Utah State policy, too, where students could, at any Assault: 2 Battery: 1 University and completed his postdoc- time, walk into his office and ask ques- Theft: 7 toral work there before joining UIC in tions. He was applauded for his out- 2002 to lead groundbreaking research. standing contributions to education and Among his most notable discoveries mentorship with a Silver Circle in 2008, ARRESTS BY UIC POLICE was a gene mutation in fruit flies that a Humboldt Research Award in 2009, Feb. 9 UIC POLICE allowed Featherstone and his team to and a Teaching Recognition Program A man was arrested for retail theft and obstructing EMERGENCY: learn how they could use genetic ma- Award, given by the Council for Excel- identification at 1:54 a.m. at 570 W. Roosevelt Road. 312-355-5555 nipulation or drugs to turn homosexual lence in Teaching and Learning, in Feb. 10 behavior in flies on and off within hours. 2011. A man was arrested for criminal trespass at 1:08 a.m. NONEMERGENCY: His labs also worked to confirm find- More recently, he spearheaded an in the Science and Engineering Lab West. 312-996-2830 ings in mice. effort to improve the biological sciences A man was arrested for thefts related to incidents TDD: Over the span of his career, he wrote curriculum at UIC, changes that he on Jan. 11 and 12 and Feb. 1, at 5:43 p.m. in the 312-413-9323 more than 50 highly cited publications hoped would better prepare students Maxwell Street Parking Structure. and was a reviewer for dozens of for life after graduation. CRIME MAP: high-impact scientific journals, funding “He’ll leave an enormous hole in the uiccrimemaps.org/map agencies in different parts of the world, department,” Leonard said. and several textbook publishers. His Featherstone is survived by his wife, research has also earned widespread Janet Richmond, professor and head of attention and worldwide media cover- biological sciences; his son, Samuel; age. parents Bruce and Judy Featherstone;

During his 15 years at UIC, Feather- and brothers Eric and Jeff. UIC News Staff Published on Wednesdays during the Advertising Coordinator stone received more than $2 million in Services have been held. academic year (monthly during summer) by: Samella Wright — [email protected] grants and research awards — from Donations in David Featherstone’s Office of Public and Government Affairs Visual Communication & Design places like the National Science Foun- memory can be made to the David E. University of Illinois at Chicago Anna Dworzecka — [email protected] dation, the National Institutes of Health, Featherstone Memorial Scholarship 601 S. Morgan St., 1320 UH (MC 288) Associate Graphic Designer and the Brain and the Behavior Re- Fund. Checks should be made payable Chicago, IL 60607-7113 Megan Strand — [email protected] search Foundation, formerly the Nation- to the University of Illinois at Chicago Editorial:...... (312) 996-0662 Editorial Associates Advertising: . . . . .(312) 996-3456 Francisca Corona — [email protected] al Alliance for Research on with DEF Scholarship Gift written in the Fax: ...... (312) 996-3754 Timothy Goldrick — [email protected] Schizophrenia and Depression. notes section. Mail or deliver checks to Vibhu S. Rangavasan — [email protected] But his success in advancing knowl- Thomas Lagen, director of finance, UIC Associate Editor Editorial Intern edge in science went much further Department of Biological Sciences (MC Christy Levy — [email protected] Kristen Simmons — [email protected] than research grants and publications 066), 845 West Taylor Street (room Senior Executive Director, Public Affairs Photography alone. He did his best to impact stu- 3370 SES), Chicago, IL 60607. Email Sherri McGinnis González — [email protected] Jenny Fontaine — [email protected] dents, too. Thomas Lagen with questions at thom- Senior Director, Public Affairs “Dave was a faculty colleague who [email protected] Bill Burton — [email protected] uicnews.uic.edu uicnews.uic.edu UIC News | Wednesday, February 15, 2017 11 PEOPLE Zorica Nedović-Budić Spatial planner to head urban planning and policy at UIC

By Brian Flood — [email protected] Infrastructure, and the Journal of Urban Management and Territorium. Zorica Nedović-Budić, an expert in which is held in high regard among She is an associate editor of the spatial planning and technologies, is the planning scholars and practitioners, both Journal of Urban Development and new head of urban planning and policy. nationally and internationally,” she said. Planning. Her appointment became effective Jan. 1. “The department is also an important Nedović-Budić has served on Nedović-Budić’s research interests participant and stakeholder in the con- the board of directors of the Urban involve the implementation of geograph- text of Chicago’s urban environment and and Regional Information Systems ic information systems in local govern- communities and its students derive Association and the University Con- ment and urban planning; development great benefits from being exposed to sortium for Geographic Information of spatial data infrastructures; and evalu- this magnificent planning laboratory.” Science, and as the book reviews ation of those systems and infrastruc- The focus of her planning studies is in co-editor for the Journal of the tures on local planning processes and comparative urban development and American Planning Association. She decisions. planning practice in post-communist is currently an executive committee “Professor Nedović-Budić is an inter- and transitional societies; context-sensi- member for the Association of Eu- nationally acclaimed scholar who has tive planning systems; international dif- ropean Schools of Planning. been at the forefront of employing spatial fusion of planning ideas and methods; Prior to joining the University technologies to advance the urban plan- and land-use regulation and manage- College Dublin, she held faculty ning profession,” said Michael Pagano, ment of information and communication appointments at the University of dean of the UIC College of Urban Plan- technologies. Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and ning and Public Affairs. “With her arrival, She has published more than 50 Virginia Tech. UIC’s department of urban planning and book chapters and articles in geo-spatial Nedović-Budić earned a Ph.D. in policy is poised to make great strides in geographic information systems technologies, urban planning and insti- Zorica Nedović-Budić ­(Photo: Jenny Fontaine) the area of geo-spatial applications.” tutions, and she has co-edited three from the University of North Caroli- Nedović-Budić comes to UIC from books. na at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree University College Dublin, where she was Her research has been supported She holds editorial board member in urban and regional planning from the professor and chair of spatial planning through funding from the National Sci- posts with the Urban and Regional Infor- University of Illinois at Urbana-Cham- and technology in the School of Archi- ence Foundation, U.S. Department of mation Systems Association Journal, In- paign, and a bachelor’s degree in spatial tecture, Planning and Environmental Pol- Transportation, U.S. Department of ternational Journal of Spatial Data planning from the University of Belgrade. icy. Housing and Urban Development, Lin- She looks forward to contributing to coln Institute of Land Policy, R.W. John- the continued success and growth of the son Foundation, Illinois Department of urban planning and policy department at Natural Resources, European Commis- UIC. sion’s Framework 7 Programme funds, “I am honored to join the urban plan- and European Spatial Planning Observa- ning and policy department faculty, tion Network.

AWARDS formula lab. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Biomedical visualization student Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana is Christina Sidorowych is the recipient of an independent not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) the Human Anatomy & Physiology Soci- organization whose mission is to care for ety’s Graduate Student Travel Award for families of children with complex medi- the 2017 Human Anatomy and Physiolo- cal needs by providing a ‘home away gy Society Conference, May 24–28 in from home’ while their child is being Salt Lake City. treated in the hospital.

HONORS SCHOLARSHIPS UIC College of Pharmacy alumna Lori Champion and Lucas Falco from Jenny Elhadary (PharmD, 2000) was the UIC College of Medicine’s Rockford named to the board of directors of the campus were each awarded a $10,000 Ronald McDonald House Charities of scholarship from the John A. and Idelle D. Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Segzda Endowed Medical Scholarship Elhadary is the vice president of clini- Fund. cal operations and senior director of pharmacy at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Mollie Rojas, a Doctor of Medicine in Children’s Hospital of Chicago. She has Dentistry (DMD) candidate at UIC was more than 20 years leading numerous awarded a $10,000 scholarship by Delta clinical programs at Lurie Children’s, in- Dental of Illinois. She received the schol- cluding the oversight of medical imag- arship in recognition of her community ing, rehabilitation services, family work through her vast research experi- services, pathology and laboratory medi- ence and dedication to building strong cine, and pharmacy, clinical nutrition and patient relationships. 12 UIC News | Wednesday, February 15, 2017 SPORTS Softball ends opening weekend with shutout vs. Butler By Laura White — [email protected]

The softball team ended an impressive opening weekend Sunday at the Total Control Sports Invitational with a 10-0 five-inning shutout win over Butler to lock in the program’s best start since 1996. The Flames offense made it count as they racked up 10 hits, three each from Kayla Wedl and Lexi Watts. Tiana Mack-Miller, Jasmine Willis, Taylor Cairns and Alice Fitzpatrick added to the total. Of the runs scored, three were knocked in by Savannah Soppet, and Wedl col- lected two RBI. Elaine Heflin threw a complete game FLAMES as she earned her second shutout of the early season. She struck out six and al- lowed six hits in her 86-pitch outing. @ HOME After turning a double play to get out of a bases-loaded situation in the top of Thursday, February 16 the first, UIC scored five runs to take a Women’s basketball vs. 5-0 lead in the bottom half. Mack- Detroit Mercy Miller and Watts led off with back-to- 7 p.m. / UIC Pavilion back singles; a Butler error put Mack-Miller on third. As Watts stole sec- Saturday, February 18 ond, the Bulldogs committed another Women’s basketball vs. Oakland Kayla Wedl had three hits versus Butler. (Photo: Steve Woltmann) 3 p.m. / UIC Pavilion error that scored Mack-Miller. Willis doubled to left center to score Women’s tennis vs. Bradley Watts, and Wedl followed with a single to ble, moved to third on an infield single she scored the final run after advanc- 10 a.m. / XS Tennis put runners at the corners. Trying for a by Cairns and scored on another sacri- ing on a wild pitch and sliding in on a fice fly from Soppet. Cairns stole sec- sacrifice bunt, Cairns was safe at first on ground out by Soppet. Sunday, February 19 an error with Wedl moving to third and ond and scored the second run when The Flames head to Charleston, Women’s gymnastics vs. Rutgers Willis scoring. After Cairns stole second, Fitzpatrick singled to center. South Carolina, to compete in the Col- 2 p.m. / UIC Pavilion Soppet turned the sacrifice fly to score The offense kept it up in the fourth lege of Charleston Cougar Classic Fri- when Mack-Miller walked and Watts sin- Wedl and move Cairns to third. The final day and Saturday. Over the course of Tuesday, Feb. 21 run came as Wetzel grounded out and gled, with both moving up a base on an- two days, UIC will face Monmouth, Men’s basketball vs. Green Bay Cairns came across the plate. other Butler error. They came in on Lipscomb, Winthrop and Eastern Ken- 7 p.m. / UIC Pavilion In the third, Wedl led off with a dou- Wedl’s second double of the game, as tucky. FLAMES HOLD OFF BRADLEY FOR 4-3 WIN By Laura White — [email protected] After claiming the doubles point, the as she easily outlasted Alexa Brandt, 6-3, women’s tennis team (3-2) captured 6-4. LeBlanc came away with the tie- three singles wins for a 4-3 victory over breaker in her first set to take down Na- Bradley (2-3) Sunday at XS Tennis. talia Barbery, 7-6 (2), 6-2, at No. 3. The Flames swept doubles while With UIC just one point away from a using a combination of new pairings this victory, the Braves took the next three season. Melika LeBlanc and Rachel Le matches. Rodriguez Diaz de Leon came Comber quickly took a 6-2 win at No. 1. up short at No. 5 against Aimee Manfre- The point was clinched at No. 3 as Mi- do, 6-1, 6-4, while Le Comber won the randa Rodriguez Diaz de Leon and first set before falling in the remaining Stefana Vasic had their match extended two to Malini Wijesinghe, 2-6, 7-5, 6-2, at but hung on for the 7-5 win. The final No. 6. Manole did not have it easy at No. match at No. 2 featuring Oana Manole 1 against Ariel Dechter as she dropped a and Georgie Sanders went to the tie- 7-5, 7-6 (3) decision. breaker before they claimed the 7-5 (4) Positioned in a 3-3 tie, Sanders bat- victory. tled back after falling in her second set In singles, two matches went to three at No. 2 to capture a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 win sets, two featured tiebreakers and the over Alejandra De Lasa. final two went in straight sets. The first The Flames will be back at XS Tennis Georgie Sanders won her singles and doubles matches Sunday. (Photo: Steve Woltmann) match belonged to Bianca Zuzu at No. 4 Saturday, hosting Illinois State at 5 p.m.

MORE SPORTS AT uicflames.com