People, Papers and Presentations for July 2007

McINTIRE

Mary McIntire, dean of the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, has been named president of the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. She is the first woman to serve as president while also maintaining her career. She has a long history of community service with the Girl Scouts, serving as a member of the council board since 2000. McIntire is a past president and lifetime member of the Girl Scout’s Emerald Circle, which funds college scholarships.

The Caribbean Philosophical Association has named Elias Bongmba’s book, ”The Dialectics of Transformation in Africa,” this year’s winner of the Frantz Fanon Award for Outstanding work in postcolonial thought. Bongmba is an associate professor of religious studies.

Chuck Henry, adjunct professor of computer science, spoke about his experience rebuilding the Rice University Press into a fully digital publishing venture at the annual Association of American University Presses in June.

Michael Deem, the John W. Cox Professor in Biochemical and Genetic Engineering and professor of physics and astronomy, has been named the Robert W. Vaughan Lecturer in Chemical Engineering by CalTech, an honor that recognizes the work of young scientists in chemical engineering.

The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Charitable Foundation has approved a $450,880 grant to James McNew for his work on the protein complexin. McNew is associate professor of biochemistry and cell biology.

Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Mason Tomson, professor in civil and environmental engineering, were keynote speakers at the International Water Association Leading-Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies in Singapore in June.

Lydia Kavraki, the Noah Harding Professor of Computer Science and professor of bioengineering, presented an exhibit sponsored by the Computing Research Association entitled ”Physical and Biological Computing” at the Coalition for National Science Funding’s 13th Annual Exhibition and Reception in June.

Daniel Mittleman, associate professor in electrical and computer engineering, presented a keynote speech on recent advances in the generation and manipulation of electromagnetic waves at the third annual International Conference on Electromagnetic Near-Field Characterization and Imaging in June.

Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the Stanley C. Moore Professor and chair of bioengineering, received the Chester F. Carlson Award at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition in Honolulu in June. The award recognizes innovation in engineering education.

John Anderson, the W. Maurice Ewing Chair in Oceanography and professor of earth science, recently published the book ”The Formation and Future of the Upper Texas Coast: A Geologist Answers Questions about Sand, Storms and Living by the Sea.” The book delves into subjects such as ocean waves and barrier island evolution.