October 16, 2008
Etc.: Campus news & notes
GOOD CHEMISTRY: Chemical Engineering Professor Buddy Ratner was named one of the “One Hundred Chemical Engineers of the Modern Era” by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers as part its centennial celebration. The 100 became leaders in the field after World War II and “guided the profession into the new century,” according to the institute. Ratner was honored in the New Frontiers category for work in engineered biomaterial surfaces to control surface interaction and synthesized biostable radio frequency films and polymer scaffolds. Ratner was also recognized as the Robert A. Pritkzer Distinguished Lecturer at the annual fall meeting of the Biomedical Engineering Society.
ALL NATURAL: The Western Society of Naturalists has named Terrie Klinger, associate professor of marine affairs, as the 2008 Naturalist of the Year. The society says she was selected because of her strong teaching record in marine biology, glowing praise from her students, her extensive knowledge of marine algae and benthic ecology and her research on environmental stressors and their impact on near shore systems. As the award winner, Klinger will give a featured presentation at the society’s annual meeting in November in Vancouver, B.C. The Western Society of Naturalists is an organization that focuses on marine ecology and biology.
TECHNICAL FELLOW: The Marine Technology Society, an international organization of marine scientists, technicians, educators and policymakers, has named UW’s Daniel Schwartz one of six new fellows. Schwartz is manager of marine operations at the School of Oceanography, overseeing maintenance and operation of UW vessels such as the 274-foot Thomas G. Thompson and the 65-foot Clifford A. Barnes. A member of the Marine Technology Society since 1986, Schwartz has served on the society’s board of directors as vice president for education and research as well as vice president of technical affairs.
CITY SERVANTS: Capital projects staffers Olivia Yang, director of the special projects group, and Tom Pittsford, senior facilities engineer, are serving on two City of Seattle committees dealing with unreinforced masonry buildings. Pittsford is on the technical committee and Yang is on the policy committee. Seattle is considering imposing new requirements for such buildings, which have not been retrofitted for seismic safety. A recent study estimates there are up to 1,000 of these structures in the city. If adopted, the requirements would be the first in a city outside California.
ON BOARD: The National Research Council has appointed Tom Leschine, director and professor of marine affairs, to serve on its Marine Board, a group that identifies research needs and provides advice on the ability of the nation’s marine transportation system — both ocean and inland — to operate safely, efficiently and in an environmentally responsible manner. Leschine brings his expertise on environmental decision making and risk management of such things as oil spills and marine pollution to the position.
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