Faculty
News and information for and about UT Dallas faculty.
New Media Rewriting the Ad Playbook for Super Bowl
This year’s Super Bowl ads are using a variety of tools that go far beyond the traditional TV commercial, said Abhi Biswas, a UT Dallas marketing professor in the Naveen Jindal School of Management. Companies have been using social media and targeted marketing to whet the public’s appetite for game-day ads. read more
Citigroup Whistleblower to Discuss ‘60 Minutes’ Story
Richard Bowen, a former vice president at Citigroup, tried to warn the bank’s senior management and board of directors about the increasing levels of defective mortgages he was seeing. The news program, 60 Minutes, recently featured his experiences in a story focusing on why large Wall Street banks have not been prosecuted under the Sarbanes-Oxley law. Bowen, who also testified before a congressional commission and is now a professor of accounting at UT Dallas, on Feb. 6 will offer a glimpse behind the scenes of the troubled mortgage industry at the heart of the nation’s financial meltdown. read more
Profs Study How to Build a Better Online Forum
Two UT Dallas professors received a best-paper award at the annual Information Systems Society Conference for research aimed at helping companies determine when to offer expert assistance to online forums. The two information systems professors - Dr. Vijay Mookerjee and his wife, Dr. Radha Mookerjee - worked on the paper with Dr. Wael Jabr, a PhD alumnus of the Naveen Jindal School of Management. read more
Computing Professor is Named Distinguished Scientist
The Association for Computing Machinery recently named UT Dallas computer science professor Dr. Balakrishnan Prabhakaran a Distinguished Scientist. ACM is the world’s largest educational and scientific computing society aimed at advancing computing as a science and a profession. “My nomination was from ACM Fellow, Dr Hong-Jiang Zhang, who manages operations of Microsoft Research Asia in Beijing,” Prabhakaran said. “He also secured references from other ACM fellows and senior researchers, as well as from Dean Mark Spong.” read more
Criminologist’s Research Shows Genes Influence Crime
Your genes could be a strong predictor of whether you stray onto a lifelong path of criminal behavior, according to a research paper co-written by UT Dallas criminologist Dr. J.C. Barnes. “Examining the Genetic Underpinnings to Moffitt’s Developmental Taxonomy: A Behavior Genetic Analysis” detailed the study’s findings in the recent issue of Criminology.
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Begin the New Year with a Plan in Case of Emergency
Experts from the UT Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management urge taking stock of your belongings and preserving your key documents in case disaster should strike. “When I used to work as a financial planner, one of the things that I did with clients was put together a risk management plan,” says Pickens, who is a Certified Financial Planner, retirement counselor and accredited financial counselor. read more
AAAS Recognizes Geospatial Information Scholar's Work
The American Association for the Advancement of Science has elected Dr. Daniel Griffith, a UT Dallas professor of geospatial information sciences, as a Fellow. Griffith is being honored for his contributions to spatial statistics and quantitative geography, particularly for his work on spatial autocorrelation, spatial filtering and statistical errors, according to the organization. He was named a fellow in the geology and geography section. read more
Film Professor Unwraps a Box of Holiday Movie Classics
Adrienne L. McLean, professor of film studies at The University of Texas at Dallas, has compiled a list of her top movies for the holiday season. “The most significant films are likely to be those that you and your family have turned into traditions yourselves,” said McLean. read more
Awards Recognize A&H Staff, Faculty and Alumni
The School of Arts and Humanities has recently recognized outstanding faculty, staff and alumni with a number of awards. “The recipients are dedicated, effective and deservedly award-winning teachers, staff and alumni who are improving the lives of students and the community,” said Dr. Dennis M. Kratz, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities. Dr. Dan Wickberg, associate professor of history, was named the Victor Worsfold Teacher of the Year. read more
Early Research Experience Inspired Criminologist
Dr. Nicole Leeper Piquero initially wanted to be a police officer. But a research methods class that the UT Dallas criminology faculty member took as an undergraduate changed her perspective. “I became more interested in asking questions and finding answers to those questions,” said Leeper Piquero, a recently hired professor in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS). read more
Prof’s Exhibit Combines Art, Science and Technology
Using the ancient myth of Orpheus, video projection and three-dimensional sound, Dr. Frank Dufour and wife, Kristin Lee, are examining the relationship of sound to perception of movement in Acoustic Shadows, an Exploration of the Sense of Space. The exhibit is currently on display in The Center for the Creative Connections at the Dallas Museum of Art until April 2012. The exhibit made its debut at The Vasarely Foundation in Aix-en-Provence, France, earlier this year. read more
Group Confers Honor on Electrical Engineering Professor
Electrical Engineering Professor Nasser Kehtarnavaz has been elected to the rank of fellow in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. This honor is conferred by the IEEE Board of Directors to selected senior members with outstanding accomplishments in a related field. IEEE is the world’s largest professional association for the advancement of technology, with nearly 400,000 members in 160 countries. The fellow grade is granted to Kehtarnavaz for “contributions to real-time and biomedical image processing.” read more
Book Details History of Texas Power and Personality in DC
A new book co-written by UT Dallas professor Dr. Anthony M. Champagne features lively portraits of influential lawmakers who have represented Texas in Congress. Lone Star Leaders: Power and Personality in the Texas Congressional Delegation covers party leaders, committee chairs and the political pioneers who made Texas a major force in congressional politics for the past 125 years. read more
Translation Honors Awarded at ALTA’s Annual Conference
The American Literary Translators Association, which is housed at UT Dallas, presented two prestigious awards its annual conference in Kansas City. ALTA is dedicated to the promotion of literary translation through services to literary translators, forums on the theory and practice of translation, and collaboration with the international literary community. read more
Chess Conference to Focus on Benefits to Education
Chess players and coaches, writers, teachers and chess aficionados from around the world will meet in Dallas this weekend to explore the benefits of chess on education. The Second Koltanowski International Conference on Chess and Education begins Friday, Nov. 18. “I chose to have a second international conference because there has been a considerable advance in serious work on chess and education in the last 10 years,” said Dr. Tim Redman, who is a professor of literary studies at UT Dallas, the founder of the UT Dallas Chess Program and the conference organizer. read more
Criminology Prof Studies Pivotal Time in Teens' Lives
Dr. Nadine Connell, a new assistant professor of criminology at UT Dallas, has always been fascinated by human beings and the decisions they make in the context of crime. Her experience helped shape her current research interests that examine issues affecting adolescents and teens during what Connell says is a pivotal time in their lives. Juvenile delinquency, program and policy evaluation, and adolescent alcohol, tobacco and other drug use are among her interests. read more
Awards Honor Callier Researcher and PhD Students
UT Dallas students and faculty have won three competitive awards from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association, which will present the prizes at its annual conference this week in San Diego. The awards were competitively granted to national and international candidates based on peer-reviewed measures of excellence. The ASHA Program Committee considered a record number of proposals and candidates this year. read more
Researcher Seeks Ways to Keep Old Data Secure
In an attempt to ease the dependence of government agencies and corporations on the use of outdated and insecure operating systems, researchers from UT Dallas and Purdue University recently received a $1.4 million grant to help extract and transition this data onto newer, more secure systems. Dr. Zhiqiang Lin, assistant professor in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, is working jointly with Purdue University on the project funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. read more
Research Widens Study of Brain's Role in Tinnitus
UT Dallas neuroscientists are examining whether multiple areas of the brain are culpable in causing tinnitus, research that could enable new medical interventions against the disabling effects of severe “ringing in the ears.” Dr. Tres Thompson, associate professor in UT Dallas’ School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, found that exposure to loud noises induces plasticity in the hippocampus, a section of the brain not primarily associated with hearing but known for learning-related plasticity. read more
$7 Million in Awards Fund Research to Help Veterans
Revolutionary research by the Center for BrainHealth aims to help vets recover from brain injuries, deal with post-traumatic stress disorder and improve physical mobility. The research team has begun screening service men and women who are interested in participating in the innovative studies. read more
Internet Creates Digital Portal to Private Lives
At the dawning of the Internet, unlimited freedom was the promise. But years later, a loss of privacy also has emerged. Dr. David Parry delves into the issue in Ubiquitous Surveillance, a new digital publication. read more
Carbon Nanotube Muscles Generate Giant Twist for Novel Motors
New artificial muscles that twist like the trunk of an elephant, but provide a thousand times higher rotation per length, were announced on Oct. 13 for publication in Science magazine by a team of researchers from The University of Texas at Dallas, The University of Wollongong in Australia, The University of British Columbia in Canada, and Hanyang University in Korea. read more
New Researcher Focuses on Interpersonal Relationships
Interpersonal relationships, and how they are influenced by developmental experiences and individual differences, are the primary focuses of Dr. Robert Ackerman’s research. Ackerman joined the faculty of UT Dallas’ School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences this fall and will teach graduate-level classes dealing with the analysis of non-independent data. He said he took the opportunity to move to UT Dallas for several reasons. read more
Alma Mater to Honor Callier Director’s Contributions
The University of Nebraska will honor Dr. Thomas Campbell, executive director of the UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders, for a long record of research and academic achievement during the university’s annual Alumni Masters Week. Beginning this weekend, Campbell and seven other “masters” will spend three days interacting with students and faculty in Lincoln. The honorees will discuss their educational and professional experiences and describe how their years at Nebraska helped shape their careers. read more
Stock Market Makes a Timely Muse for Prof's Poetry
A UT Dallas professor's most recent work trains an eye on what may seem unlikely subjects for poetry: Wall Street and the economy. Two poetry collections by Dr. Susan Briante, assistant professor of creative writing and literature, confront economic themes, most recently The Market is a Parasite that Looks Like a Nest, published this fall. It was preceded in the spring by Utopia Minus. read more
Halloween Treats Don't Have to be Scary, Prof Says
Halloween means fun for kids — but also the tricky temptation of treats. “Many parents worry about their children’s eating habits,” said Dr. Shayla Holub, who studies the development of healthy eating behaviors as an assistant professor in School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. “Children may find it especially hard to avoid the temptation of high-calorie foods at Halloween, when they’re constantly being offered candy and treats,” she said. read more
Halloween Screenings: Film Prof Picks Top 5 Scary Flicks
Just in time for Halloween, Dr. Adrienne L. McLean, professor of film studies at UT Dallas, has compiled a list of her favorite horror films.“These films will, if you allow yourself to succumb to them, scare you rigid, not from blood or gore, but from what you sometimes cannot (and will never) see, what you must imagine, situations that are disturbing, things that may or not be real or possible,” said McLean. read more
University Pays Tribute to Recently Published Profs
Faculty members who are also published authors were the focus of a recent McDermott Library celebration. The 6th Annual Faculty Author Reception recognized 16 writers and nine editors of books published during the last academic year. read more
New BBS Researcher Focused on Family Dynamics
Dr. Jackie Nelson, a new assistant professor in the UT Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, is interested in parents and children, and the ways family relationships contribute to emotional development. Nelson joined UT Dallas this fall, and the psychologist is primarily teaching classes centered on child development and parental interactions. She said she is enjoying getting to know her new students and faculty colleagues. read more
Classical Concert to Feature Trio in Residence at UT Dallas
The Clavier Trio will perform “Café Music” by American composer Paul Schoenfield, as well as works by Joseph Haydn and Johannes Brahms in a concert Friday, Oct. 14, at 8 p.m. in the Jonsson Performance Hall. The Clavier Trio is the current ensemble in residence at the University. Its members include cellist Jesús Castro-Balbi, pianist David Korevaar and Dallas Symphony Orchestra violinist Arkady Fomin. read more
Prof to Address Wind Energy Research Conference
Dr. Mario Rotea, head of the UT Dallas Department of Mechanical Engineering, will give a keynote speech at a national meeting this month focused on new wind energy research. Rotea will discuss the role of structural control systems to improve the reliability of large-scale wind turbines, and control strategies for the power management of wind farms with battery storage. The meeting will be at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. read more
Research Society Recognizes Prof’s Nanotech Work
Dr. Julia Hsu, professor in the department of Materials Science and Engineering, has been elected as a Fellow in the Materials Research Society. Hsu’s research focuses on nanoscale materials physics.The society, a 16,000-member international professional society, each year elects approximately 30 fellows. Hsu is the first UT Dallas faculty member to receive the society honor. read more
Awards Laud Profs for Advances in Hearing Science
Two recently announced awards recognize contributions to hearing science made by Dr. Linda Thibodeau and Dr. Emily Tobey, two faculty members at UT Dallas’ Callier Center for Communication Disorders. Thibodeau was selected for the annual Cheryl DeConde Johnson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Educational and Pediatric Audiology. Tobey was named 2011 Distinguished Alumni for the College of Education at New Mexico State University. read more
Prof to Share Impressionism Expertise at Cambridge
Dr. Richard R. Brettell, professor of art and aesthetic studies, has been awarded the 2011 Humanitas Visiting Professorship in the History of Art at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Brettell, who holds the Margaret M. McDermott Distinguished Chair in Art and Aesthetic Studies at UT Dallas, will give a lecture series at Cambridge, titled Is There Anything Left to Say about Impressionism? The series will include three lectures and one symposium between Oct. 27 and Nov. 3. read more
Criminologist's Work Earns Multiple Accolades
Dr. Alex Piquero has been named an American Society of Criminology Fellow, the second such honor that the UT Dallas professor of criminology has received this year. Piquero was recently elected Fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences in Toronto. He is one of five criminologists in the world – and the youngest – to receive the Fellow designation in both criminology professional societies. read more
Chemistry Prof Elected as Fellow of Academic Society
Dr. Ken Balkus, professor of chemistry at UT Dallas, was recently named an American Chemical Society Fellow and will be honored at the society’s fall national meeting. The Fellows Program recognizes achievements of its members for contributions to science, the profession and to the ACS. Members of the ACS nominate individuals for the honor. “It’s gratifying to be recognized in this way from a scientific society and your peers,” Balkus said. “I’ve stayed active with the ACS for several years now and I’m very pleased to receive this honor.” read more
Biologist’s Book Explores Role of Key Blood Component
Dr. Li Zhang, professor of molecular and cell biology at UT Dallas, edited and contributed to a new book titled Heme Biology – the Secret Life of Heme in Regulating Diverse Biological Processes. The book details the latest research about heme, the iron-containing molecule in hemoglobin that gives blood its deep red hue and binds to oxygen. read more
Prof Selected to Lead Geological Society of America
Dr. John Geissman, professor in the UT Dallas Department of Geosciences, has been named president of the Geological Society of America. He began his one-year term July 1. Geissman’s research interests include paleomagnetism and tectonics. He joined UT Dallas last year. “The opportunity for constructive cooperation among all professional geoscience organizations has never been greater,” Geissman said of his appointment. read more
Callier Expert Advises Extra Effort to Minimize School Stress
Children with language and hearing disorders face challenges this time of year when they move into new classrooms and schools. Molly Augustine, a speech language pathologist at UT Dallas’ Callier Center for Communication Disorders says parents, teachers and other children can keep the difficulties to a minimum by following a few preventive measures. read more
Honorees Share Commitment and Teaching Philosophies
Six UT Dallas faculty are among 72 educators from institutions within The University of Texas System who have been honored as the 2011 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award winners. read more
UT System Honors 6 Educators for Excellence
Six faculty from UT Dallas are among 72 educators within the UT System who will share $1.8 million in awards recognizing excellence in the classroom. read more
Literature Profs Offer Book Lists to Beat the Heat
UT Dallas literature experts have summertime book recommendations that may provide welcome distractions from the sweltering heat. “What's needed for good summer reading is complicated plots, suspense and humor,” said Founders Professor of Arts and Humanities Dr. Frederick Turner. read more
EPA Taps Researcher for Herbicide Health Study
The Environmental Protection Agency has asked a UT Dallas professor who specializes in geospatial analysis to aid in a review of the health effects of atrazine, a herbicide that is used extensively in farming. Dr. Daniel Griffith will be among 19 scientists on the Food Quality Protection Act Science Review Board discussing their findings in Washington next week.
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Longtime Math Faculty Member Frank Allum Dies at 75
Services have been scheduled for Monday for Dr. Frank Raymond Allum, a longtime faculty member in the UT Dallas Department of Mathematical Sciences. Dr. Allum died July 3 at age 75. Described as an outstanding colleague and professor, Allum taught hundreds of students throughout his lengthy career at UT Dallas and contributed significantly to the department. read more
Prof Rounds Up Wild West Tales by Colorful Writer
Dr. Clay Reynolds has compiled an introduction to the works of Ned Buntline, the “Dime Novel King,” who was almost as colorful a character as the heroes and outlaws filling the pages of his 19th-century Western books. The novelettes played an imporant role in the formation of the modern American novel and film tradition, Reynolds says.
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Professor and Student Travel the Balkans for Poetry
In 1990, Gjekë Marinaj was fleeing through the mountains from his home country of Albania into the former Yugoslavia. He was being pursued by Albanian secret police with tracker dogs. Marinaj’s crime: writing a poem. “Horses” was a thinly veiled satire on the totalitarian oppressive system of the time. The same day the poem was printed in the newspaper, Marinaj was ordered to police headquarters. He never showed. Eventually, he made his way to the United States and is now working on his doctorate in literature at UT Dallas. His research and work involve the philosophy of translation. read more
Mexican Instructors Get Immersed in SOM Training
A Mexican university has turned to the UT Dallas School of Management for training assistance that both institutions see as strengthening their existing intellectual ties and opening a door to ongoing exchanges. The School of Management signed on to help Tecnológico de Monterrey upgrade the accounting credentials of its business faculty members before Monterrey Tech — as the private multi-campus university is informally known — starts a graduate-level accounting program. “Accounting doesn’t see any borders; it’s the language of business,” says Jennifer Johnson, the School of Management’s associate director of graduate accounting programs. read more
Chemistry Prof Is Honored for Stirring Young Minds
The School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics recently honored Dr. Gregg Dieckmann for something the professor has enjoyed doing for more than a decade: sharing a passion for chemistry with UT Dallas students. The School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics presented him with the 2010-2011 Outstanding Teaching Award for encouraging students and creating a successful learning environment. read more
Regulatory Trend Inspires Prof to Create Forum
Dr. Constantine “Connie” Konstans has a gift for intuiting future business trends and building useful new means to respond to them. The longtime School of Management professor created the Chief Compliance Officer Forum after following changes in the corporate regulatory environment.
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EPPS Professor Picked for NCAA Oversight Role
Dr. Kurt Beron, professor of economics in UT Dallas’ School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, has been elected to serve on the Management Council of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. NCAA’s Division III has about 450 universities, including UT Dallas. The council governs the division, producing and implementing policy relating to the 160,000 student-athletes attending Division III schools. read more
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