Data Loading...
2018 Citation Booklet Flipbook PDF
The University of Notre Dame Graduate School 2018 Citation Booklet
118 Views
51 Downloads
FLIP PDF 1.33MB
The Graduate School 2018 Commencement Citation Book
Eli J. and Helen Shaheen Graduate Awards: Shaheen Award in Engineering Shaheen Award in Humanities Shaheen Award in Social Science Shaheen Award in Science Distinguished Alumnus Award James A. Burns, C.S.C. Award Director of Graduate Studies Award Dick and Peggy Notebaert Award Graduate Administrative Staff Award
04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15
Shaheen Awards Introduction
Shaheen Award in Engineering
Shaheen Award in Humanities
Shaheen Award in Social Science
Shaheen Award in Science
Graduate School Awards Introduction
Distinguished Alumnus Award
James A. Burns, C.S.C. Award
Director of Graduate Studies Award
Dick and Peggy Notebaert Award
Graduate Administrative Staff Member Award
A Special Thank You to Louise Richardson
Shaheen Award for Engineering
Paige Rodeghero
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
At the Graduate School at the University of Notre Dame, Your Research Matters. The four winners of the Shaheen Award embody this conviction, representing distinction among the graduating class in each of their divisions: engineering, humanities, social sciences, and science.
4
P
aige Rodeghero is the winner of the Shaheen Award in Engineering. Paige is recognized for her research in the area of software engineering as it pertains to human computer interaction and program comprehension. She writes algorithms that mimic programmer behavior with the goal of improving the efficiency of the software development process. Paige has used a variety of methods in her research. In an initial project, she conducted eye-tracking studies with Java programmers and designed a tool to mimic the selection of key words. The performance of this tool surpassed the performance of the conventional state-of-the-art approach. This research was well-received, earning her the ACM Distinguished Paper Award at the International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE) in 2014. With this innovative understanding of key word apprehension, Paige then explored how programmers speak with clients to develop
5
optimal products. Through collaborations with the Sociology Department and a software development firm, she obtained a well-rounded understanding of conversations that could ultimately be applied to improved automatic documentation generation. In the words of her adviser, Dr. Collin McMillan, “This effort far exceeds anything like it in the software engineering literature. This work is now forming the basis for transformative research: nothing quite like these data have been collected and used before in software engineering.” Paige’s success in research, published at accelerated rates in top-tier journals, stands alongside her success in other areas of her Ph.D. training experience. She has received her department’s Outstanding TA Award, and has served as an Instructor of Record, a rare distinction in her department. Paige will begin her career as an assistant professor at Clemson University in the fall.
Shaheen Award for Humanities
Shaheen Award for Social Science
Joshua Noble
Samantha Anderson
Department of Theology
J
oshua Noble is the winner of the Shaheen Award in Humanities. Josh is recognized for his ground-breaking work that illuminates the Acts of the Apostles. Specifically, Josh focuses on two Acts passages which describe early Christians in Jerusalem as sharing common property. He argues that this characterization derives from the ancient myth of the Greco-Roman Golden Age, which was prevalent in the social consciousness of Christ’s time as Caesar sought to cast himself as its regenerator. In drawing from Caesarean propaganda to describe the Apostolic Age, Acts appropriates the motif of a political savior to describe Christ, attributing to Him the inauguration of the Golden Age in Jerusalem and offering an anticipation of the comprehensive Golden Age restoration that will take place upon Christ’s return at the end of time. In this view, Acts reinforces Christ as the supreme messiah in a unique and heretofore unrecognized way.
According to his adviser, Dr. John Fitzgerald, Josh’s insights into the early Christian world derive from his keen sensitivity to historical, cultural, and linguistic contexts. Particularly, he is a gifted autodidact, having taught himself Greek, Hebrew, German, and French, in addition to previous competency in Latin. His proficiency in Greek was so notable that he was appointed by the Classics Department to teach introductory Greek. This opportunity demonstrated his pedagogical talent, for which he later won an Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award. Josh, who began his career as an engineer in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program before selling his belongings to pursue theology, has published his research in premier journals and received an “Emerging Scholar” award from the Catholic Biblical Association last year. He currently serves as a Tutor at Thomas Aquinas College.
6
Department of Psychology
S
amantha Anderson is the winner of the Shaheen Award in the Social Sciences. Samantha is recognized for her quantitative research that addresses the confidence crisis currently afoot in the broad field of psychology, which is grappling with highly-publicized failures to replicate previous findings. In her research, Samantha conducted an extensive literature review which revealed that evaluation standards for replication studies were inadequate. She restructured evaluation protocols and published her recommendations in a paper that was selected as the lead article in a premier methodology journal in psychology, Psychological Methods. Her work won her the American Psychology Association Edwin B. Newman Graduate Research Award, given to one graduate student each year across all Psychology concentrations. Samantha has also addressed issues of sample-size planning and statistical power which affect the likelihood that a study will detect an effect when one is present. Her
discovery that direct replications of smaller studies can yield power values lower than 15% led to the creation of a sample-size planning method to substantially increase statistical power. She then developed an R package and web application for broad dissemination of her work. According to her adviser, Dr. Scott Maxwell, Samantha is particularly notable for the remarkable rate at which she has published and won recognition. To date, she has published eleven articles with several more in progress. In addition to the Newman Award, she has received the American Psychological Society Psi Chi Convention Society Presentation Award and honorable mention for the American Statistical Association Mental Health Student Paper Award. She has also won the Kaneb Center Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award, reflecting excellent instruction. In the fall, she begins a tenure-track position at Arizona State University.
7
Shaheen Award for Science
Leandro Lichtenfelz Department of Mathematics
L
eandro Lichtenfelz is the winner of the Shaheen Award in Science. Leandro is recognized for his research in mathematics which focuses on unsolved global existence problems in the Euler equations and Navier-Stokes equations. His advisor, Dr. Gerard Misiołek, cites Leandro’s geometric intuition and sharp technical analysis in his approach to these fluid dynamics problems. His results have been impressive, leading to several publications and high visibility in the mathematics community. In his work published in the Annals of Global Analysis and Geometry, Leandro uses an unconventional approach to prove non-uniqueness of a class of Leray-Hopf solutions to the Navier-Stokes equations in spaces of negative curvature, answering questions dating from the 1930s. Another paper, forthcoming in International Mathematics Research Notices, employs the framework of Vladimir Arnold to develop a classification of singularities of the
solution map of the Euler equations. The results provide original contributions not only to fluid dynamics but to differential geometry as well, and are likely to catalyze advances in both areas in the coming years. Alongside such international recognition, Leandro’s nominators commend his close ties to his home institution, particularly in the area of teaching, where he has been the preferred undergraduate honors TA for several years. In a joint letter, faculty members wrote: “We cannot recall a graduate student who has had a more inspiring and nurturing impact on our honors students.” Leandro originally came to Notre Dame from Brazil with several prestigious awards in tow, receiving two medals from Mathematical Olympiads and one from the International Mathematics Competition. This fall, he joins the University of Pennsylvania as a Hans Rademacher Instructor in the Department of Mathematics.
8
Behind every graduate student producing research that matters is a powerful team of inspiration, mentorship, and support. Meet our honorees: exemplary alumni, faculty, and staff who empower our graduate students to follow the call of Father Sorin to be a force for good in the world.
9
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Dr. Steven Walker
James A. Burns, C.S.C. Award
Dorini Family Professor of Energy Studies Chair, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Director, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
D
r. Steven Walker is the winner of the Distinguished Alumnus Award, given each year to an alumnus or alumna of the University who has contributed significantly to scholarship, research, or society. A graduate of Notre Dame’s aerospace engineering program, Dr. Walker currently serves as director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) responsible for developing military technologies. His appointment began in November 2017, following terms as acting director and deputy director. After receiving his B.S. from Notre Dame in 1987, he completed an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Dayton in 1991 and Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from Notre Dame in 1997, while working for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Air Vehicles Directorate in Dayton, Ohio. After receiving his doctorate, Dr. Walker served as a program manager of the Unsteady Aerodynamics and Hypersonics Research Program at the AFRL’s Air Force Office of Scientific Research in Arlington, Va., and special assistant to the Director of
Defense Research and Engineering at the Pentagon. He then worked in DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office as a program manager, deputy directory, and director, initiating the $500 million DARPA/Air Force Falcon program to develop technologies for hypersonic flight and space lift. His most recent appointment before his return to DARPA was as deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology and Engineering. He was responsible for developing the technology investment strategy for the Air Force's annual $2 billion science and technology program and for overseeing more than 14,000 military and civilian scientists and engineers. Dr. Walker is a member of the Senior Executive Service and a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (he received the AIAA Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Management in 2014). He has also received the Presidential Rank Award, the Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service medal, and the DoD Exceptional, Meritorious, and Distinguished Civilian Service medals.
10
Dr. Edward Maginn
D
r. Edward Maginn, Dorini Family Professor of Energy Studies and chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, is the winner of the James A. Burns, C.S.C. Award, named for the first Notre Dame president with an advanced degree. It is given annually to a faculty member for distinction in graduate teaching or other exemplary contributions to graduate education. Dr. Maginn has been on the Notre Dame faculty since 1995. Throughout his career, he has gained a reputation as one of the leading chemical engineers in the field of molecular simulation, focusing on the development and use of atomistic molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulation methods. His 165+ peer-reviewed articles have made seminal contributions to his field. His work has garnered national visibility and distinction: he is the founder and senior editor of Molecular Modeling and Simulation: Applications and Perspectives, and he won the Early Career Award from the Computational Molecular Science and Engineering Forum of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the America
Society for Engineering Education Dow Outstanding New Faculty Award, the PB College of Engineering Outstanding Teacher Award, and the National Science Foundation Career Award. In addition, he is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a trustee of the CACHE Corporation. Dr. Maginn’s research reputation makes his dedication to pedagogy all the more inspiring. During his 22 years at Notre Dame he has directed 24 Ph.D. dissertations and is currently mentoring 6 additional Ph.D. students. He has also mentored 19 postdoctoral researchers and 28 undergraduates. His students have pursued both industrial and academic careers, with many currently serving as professors at major universities. According to his nominators, Dr. Maginn’s success as an instructor is due to his patient commitment to developing students not only as researchers but as individuals. Through his dedication, he empowers students to expand both in intellect and in poise.
11
Director of Graduate Studies Award
D
Dr. Curtis Franks
Associate Professor Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Philosophy
r. Curtis Franks, the director of graduate studies (DGS) in the Department of Philosophy, is the winner of this year’s Director of Graduate Studies Award. The award is given annually to a DGS who has had a significant positive influence on graduate studies in his or her program. Dr. Franks is recognized for spearheading a large-scale restructuring of the graduate program, the creation of a guide for graduate students, and his patient dedication to effective communication. His willingness to help students understand expectations at each stage of doctoral studies has significantly improved graduate student morale and reduced student stress and uncertainty. In addition, Dr. Franks devotes himself to creating a welcoming environment for students and enabling them to feel supported holistically. He maintains an open-door policy and is known for making students laugh. “More than anything, he cares for our students,” said Department Chair Dr. Jeff
Speaks. A student agreed, noting, “he does an amazing job advocating for graduate students and making us feel like we are important and valuable members of the department and the larger academic community.” In addition to being a “model DGS,” Dr. Franks has made significant research contributions to his field. He is currently writing a book on the theme of logical completeness, holding the position that seemingly-familiar mathematical and logical concepts are not obvious and inevitable, but highly contingent products of long historical development. His earlier work, culminating in his 2009 book, addressed philosophical ideas motivating David Hilbert’s mathematical investigations and the vision of mathematics provided by its legacy. Dr. Franks has served as DGS of the Philosophy Department since 2014 and has been teaching continuously at Notre Dame since receiving his Ph.D. in 2006.
12
Dick and Peggy Notebaert Award
Mimi Beck, M.T.S. Program Director, Graduate Student Life
M
imi Beck is the winner of the Dick and Peggy Notebaert Award, which honors a faculty member or administrator who has contributed significantly to graduate student development. As the founding director of Notre Dame’s Office of Graduate Student Life since 2012, Mimi has collaborated actively with key partners in the academy and student affairs to support all aspects of graduate student life. A hallmark of Mimi’s success is her attentiveness to building relationships and networks. She has mobilized campus partners to meet regularly to share concerns and brainstorm ideas for enhancing the graduate student experience. She engages with students to receive feedback that advise new initiatives. She has also advanced interpersonal relationships among students through her support of the Graduate Student Union and Graduate Student Spouse Network, and her innovation of programming dedicated
to strengthening student friendships. She has a sharp instinct for the intellectual success that can be achieved via the fostering of relationships among students. Mimi is particularly known for her unique combination of warmth and intensity. In the words of one of her nominators: “I met Mimi as she began her first year in this role and watched her take this initiative from zero to sixty in little time at all. She is a servant leader in all senses of the term.” Before her current role, Mimi earned her Master of Theological Studies from Notre Dame. She has shared her wisdom and experience beyond her home institution as the national co-chair for the NASPA Administrators in Graduate and Professional Student Services. She has also presented at national conferences and webinars, and is currently preparing a manuscript on Graduate Student Affairs.
13
Administrative Staff Member Award
J
Joyce Yeats
Administrative Assistant, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
oyce Yeats, the Administrative Assistant in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, is the winner of this year’s Administrative Staff Member Award, an award presented annually to a staff member who has had a positive influence on his or her graduate program. Throughout her time in the department, Joyce has been an advocate for improvements to the graduate student experience, beginning with the students’ very first encounters with Notre Dame on their recruiting visits. In particular, when Joyce discovered that recruits felt the time allocated for visits was insufficient for making informed decisions, she took the initiative to organize and direct a group of graduate students and faculty members to completely overhaul the visit weekend itinerary. According to a joint letter from her nominators: “In one years’ time, she fundamentally changed the way in which our
department approached recruiting prospective students” which has yielded success. Joyce’s proactive approach to supporting graduate studies has also involved her service on the Graduate Student Board (GSB) and her initiative in facilitating the Computer Science and Engineering Graduate Student Research Talks. These recurring departmentsponsored events enable students to share their academic advances, gain feedback, and strengthen collaborative ties. Throughout all of this, Joyce has worked tirelessly to ensure positive experiences for those with whom she interacts. Because of her conscientious approach to her work and sterling professionalism, she has become an indispensable source of organization, knowledge and support throughout her twelve years in the department.
14
The Graduate School wishes to congratulate Louise Richardson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, on receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame, and to thank her for delivering the Graduate School's commencement address. As we encourage our students to bring meaningful research to the world beyond Notre Dame, we are grateful for Dr. Richardson's example of achievement powered by integrity, intellectual curiosity, and a passionate pursuit of excellence.
15
YOUR RESEARCH MATTERS
℠
℠