Sarah DuBrow, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, was a champion for students underrepresented in higher education. The award recognizes the beloved professor, who introduced many students to the world of research and made them feel comfortable in the environment, which can be intimidating to newcomers. Her students recalled that DuBrow’s door was always open for her students, and the professor hosted workshops throughout the year focused on issues surrounding diversity in the field. To quote from one mentee, “I am nominating Professor DuBrow for this award because she was a constant supporter of not only my lab work, but of my personal growth. She provided a welcoming place for students of all backgrounds to learn about the research process and learn about one of the most interesting topics: the brain. Joining her lab and getting to know Professor DuBrow has been the best experience I have had while at the University of Oregon. She is the reason why I am doing research. She always answered all my questions with a smile and never made me feel lesser for not knowing an answer. She took a chance on someone when no one else would and helped that person grow exponentially. Professor DuBrow was such a kind, supportive mentor. If I can be half the mentor she was, I will consider that a huge success. I aspire to be a mentor and scientist of Professor DuBrow’s caliber."
Steven Brence is a Senior Instructor of Philosophy and a Pre-Law Advisor in the Department of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences. He has helped students transition successfully to top graduate programs and career pathways. His works highlight the inclusion of diverse voices in his teaching, such as works from postcolonial theorists, African-American writers, and ecofeminist philosophers. One recommender described Professor Brence as a “committed and engaging teacher who excels in his beyond-the-classroom role of mentoring undergraduate student research and guiding students to realizing their academic ambitions in a way that directly supports their future goals.”
Maile Hutterer, Associated Professor in the College of Design’s Department of the History of Art and Architecture. Hutterer’s students have claimed they feel supported and challenged by their professor who creates a space where students from all backgrounds feel welcome and encouraged to pursue an academic career in Art History. Student recommenders affirmed that they “felt supported and challenged by Professor Hutterer who creates a space where students from all backgrounds feel welcome and encouraged to pursue an academic career in Art History . . . all students are taken seriously by her and she always evokes rich and critical discussion in her courses.” Another recommender shared how Professor Hutterer’s mentorship and ethic of care fostered a sense of belonging and connection that “has been a great contributing factor to staying at the University of Oregon” and thriving academically “despite fears and doubts.”
Dare Baldwin, Professor in the Department of Psychology is recognized for the outstanding record of “innovative undergraduate education and mentorship” since joining the University of Oregon faculty in 1992. The breadth and depth of Professor Baldwin’s mentorship has impacted hundreds of undergraduates in original scientific investigation, with one student noting, “She has developed a multi-pronged team-based approach that ensures that students immediately become connected not only with her, but with one another in the context of both small, project-focused teams and the team-at-large. Students acquire a range of skills during their involvement in Baldwin’s research lab, from knowledge about the research they are undertaking….” This award is co-sponsored by the Clark Honors College.
Diana Libuda, Assistant Professor in Biology and member of the Institute of Molecular Biology is recognized for commitment to individualized mentorship of undergraduates throughout their careers from initial exploration of research opportunities to their holistic development as thinkers, researchers, presenters, and authors in your lab to their graduate school applications and career pathways. One recommender shared, “Dr. Libuda has developed a highly effective mentorship system that enables graduate students and undergraduate students to formulate scientific questions and effectively communicate their research. Notably, Dr. Libuda recognizes that each mentee is unique.”
Marian Hettiaratchi, Assistant Professor, Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific and Impact and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The award recognizes Professor Hettiaratchi for ethic of care, sense of trust, and innovative strategies for recruiting and mentoring students, as well as fostering a dynamic community of researchers, during the unprecedented challenges caused by the pandemic.
Michael Malek Najjar, Associate Professor of Theatre specializes in Arab-American Theatre and Performance, Directing, Playwriting, Contemporary Theatre and Performance is recognized for indefatigable dedication to helping students realize their visions for culminating academic and creative works as undergraduates. They speak to his empowering mentorship throughout the playwriting and performance processes, and importance of respecting cultural differences – “appreciating diversity and research historical records to find facts beyond fictions.”
Melissa Baese-Berk, Associate Professor of Linguistics and Director of Undergraduate Studies is committed to mentoring students, inspiring them to be researchers and leaders, creating a supportive lab environment in which they can thrive. Professor Baese-Berk shepherds students through the complex process of becoming involved in a research project, and admired as a trusted mentor.
Yvonne Braun, is Professor of International Studies and Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. Professor Braun is lauded for holding extensive knowledge of research and theory related to gender, intersectionality, social movements and human rights, as well as taking on an active and committed role in the development of student projects and interests. The welcoming attitude, integrity in approaches to complex topics, and fostering empowerment are additional qualities so admired by students. This award is co-sponsored by the Clark Honors College.
Judith Raiskin, Associate Professor in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies and Director of Undergraduate Studies, is celebrated for serving as an amazingly committed mentor, community-builder and dedication to the LGBTQ+ student community. A student said of Professor Raiskin, “Many professors discuss having one mentor in their career that pushed them to continue their academic pursuits despite the barriers they experience, and Professor Raiskin is that person for me. I could not imagine a more capable or exemplary candidate for this award.”
Caitlin Fausey, Assistant Professor in Psychology and Director of the Learning Lab, was awarded the CURE Faculty Research Mentor Award for her commitment to undergraduate research mentoring, with multiple nominations from current and former students that describe a truly amazing ability and commitment to mentoring students. The students describe Dr. Fausey as inspiring them to be scientists and leaders, encouraging and supporting them to develop independent research projects, and being deeply committed to their professional development.
Chris Minson, Singer Professor of Human Physiology and Director of the Human Cardiovascular Control Lab, was awarded the CURE Faculty Research Mentor Award for his long-term commitment to undergraduate mentoring, which has spanned several decades. Nominated by both his department head, Dr. John Halliwill, undergraduate and graduate research assistants, notably his students describe Dr. Minson as inspiring them to become scientists, his creation of a supportive lab environment, and his dedication to helping students navigate the complex process of becoming involved in a research project.
Mark Carey, Professor of History and Environmental Studies at the Clark Honors College, as well as Director of The Glacier Lab and the Environmental Studies Program, was awarded the CURE Faculty Research Mentor Award for a long-term commitment to his students, having been awarded the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award in 2015. He was nominated by undergraduate Mackenzie Myers as well as several graduate students. The committee was extremely impressed by his commitment to and excellence in undergraduate research mentoring, in particular how successful Dr. Carey has been at connecting undergraduate and graduate student researchers, how his passion for his work is contagious, and how his outstanding mentoring has helped his students successfully compete for prestigious national scholarships. This award was co-sponsored by the Clark Honors College.
Judith Eisen, Professor in Biology, was awarded the CURE Faculty Research Mentor Award for her long history of exceptional mentoring of undergraduate students, innovative pedagogy, training of graduate students and postdocs to be effective mentors, and leadership in developing and running critical and successful programs such as the Science Literacy Program and SPUR/OURS.
The Chemical Synthesis Group, a team composed of professors Michael Haley, David Johnson, Vickie DeRose, Michael Pluth, Ramesh Jasti, Darren Johnson, Ken Doxsee, and David Tyler was awarded the CURE Faculty Research Mentor Award for exceptional work with undergraduates over several decades. This group has mentored 499 researchers and this mentoring has led to 221 publications with undergraduates as co-authors. The team has had an incredible impact and has developed an impressive set of best practices for how to mentor students on research opportunities.
Samantha Hopkins, Associate Professor in Earth Sciences and Associate Dean of the Clark Honors College, was awarded the CURE Faculty Research Mentor Award for her exceptional undergraduate mentoring since she joined UO in 2007. Her moving nomination letter, written by 4 current undergraduates and an alumna, describes her has an exemplary mentor who has provided amazing opportunities to students to do meaningful research and who has helped students go on to distinguished PhD programs around the country. This award was co-sponsored by the Clark Honors College.