Faculty and staff sketches

December 12, 2023 (Volume 47, Number 8)

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Faculty and staff members who have given presentations, were recognized for outstanding contributions or had their research published are detailed below. The campus community can submit a sketch online for future publication. 

In the News
Whitmer appoints graduate to LGBTQ+ Commission
Brandon Shamoun, ’17, was recently appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to Michigan’s first LGBTQ+ Commission. Through an executive order, Whitmer created the commission to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community was represented throughout the state’s government, including its executive branch.

Shamoun earned a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and a master’s of education degree in higher education from Grand Valley. Currently, he is the assistant dean of students for Student Involvement, Activities and Organizations at Wayne State. He is also the chair of Stonewall Sports Detroit, a LGBTQ+ sports organization, and co-chair of the Queer Employee Organization. 

Shamoun’s appointment continues until November 29, 2027. 

Paul Isely, professor of economics and associate dean, Seidman College of Business, was interviewed by Bridge Michigan for a story about Michigan's labor market strength following the pandemic.

Elena Lioubimtseva, professor of geography and sustainable planning, was interviewed by Interlochen Public Radio for a story about the premiere of "Climate Sisu" in Traverse City.

Sketches
Scott Rood, associate professor of hospitality and tourism management, received the Excellence in Research Award from the Resort and Recreation Association for a presentation, "2023 Resort Recreation Wage, Salary and Job Satisfaction Research Study," at Innisbrook Resort in Florida.

Amy Russell, professor of biology, was among the co-authors of an article, "The Evolution of Antimicrobial Peptides in Chiroptera," published in Frontiers in Immunology.

Luke Galen, professor of psychology, gave a presentation, "Why God Thinks Like You," for the Michigan Humanists Association at Grand Rapids Community College. Galen wrote a book, A Social Cognition Perspective of the Psychology of Religion: Why God Thinks Like You, published by Bloomsbury.

Elena Lioubimtseva, professor of geography and sustainable planning, gave a presentation, "The Role of Non-Climate Data in Equitable Climate Adaptation Planning: Lessons from Small French and American Cities," at ICARUS VI in Ann Arbor.

David Bernstein, professor emeritus of psychology, wrote a historical novel, Island Medicine: A Novel, based on Beaver Island. 

Holli Miller, office coordinator for the Padnos International Center, gave a presentation, "Navigating Higher Education as an International Student with a Disability," at the NAFSA Region V Conference held in Grand Rapids.

William J. Neal, professor emeritus of geology, was a co-author of two articles, “Plastics in the Anthropocene: a Multifaceted Approach to Marine Pollution Management,” published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin, and, “Dune Ecosystems along the Central Caribbean Coast of Colombia: Evolution, Human Influences and Conservation Challenges,” published in Ocean and Coastal Management.

Robert Beasecker, curator of rare books for University Libraries, wrote an article, “‘Remember Me to Friends If I Have Any’: The Patriot War Letters of W.W. Dodge to Dr. Charles Osgood,” published in the autumn 2023 issue of Ontario History.

Movement science faculty members Jennifer Olson Colleen Lewis, Ingrid Johnson, Tess Armstrong, Jennifer Olson, Rachel Fetterley, Russ Shifferd and the Ottawa County Intermediate School District hosted "Physical Education Recharged," professional development for local PK-12 teachers. 

Michael P. Lombardo, professor emeritus of biology, gave a presentation, "Sticks and Stones: the Role of Projectile Weapons in Shaping Human Evolution," at the Fifth Tipping Points Seminar sponsored by the Human Past Research Program at the University of Bordeaux, France.

Vinicius Lima, associate professor of visual and media arts, gave a presentation, "What Can/Should Design Programs Actually Teach Undergraduate Students in Four Years?"  Lima was a co-chair of Lens, 2023 AIGA Design Educators Community Symposium.

eLearning Technologies staff members David Nivala, Kelley Senkowski, Justin Melick and Barbara Stevens gave three presentations, "Embracing AI as an Accessibility Tool," "AI is Here: To Use or Not to Use… or How to Use?" and "Ethical and Effective Use of AI: What Do Students and Faculty Need to Know?" at the Educational Technology Organization of Michigan Fall Conference at Schoolcraft College in Livonia.

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Faculty & Staff Sketches