The Academic Federation is once again honoring its members for excellence: Kyria Boundy‐Mills, recipient of the Excellence in Research Award; and Andrea Khoo and Karma Waltonen, recipients of Excellence in Teaching Awards.

The awards are given annually in the federation of more than 1,000 lecturers and adjunct professors, researchers and scientists, librarians and Cooperative Extension specialists, academic administrators and program coordinators.

A joint reception for Academic Federation and Academic Senate award recipients is scheduled for May 5. See below for details.

The Academic Federation write-ups below comprise excerpts from committee recommendations and nomination letters.

Boundy-Mills

Excellence in Research: Kyria Boundy‐Mills, specialist, Department of Food Science and Technology — She’s been a specialist since 2002, a year after she came to UC Davis as the curator of the university’s Phaff Yeast Culture Collection, one of the largest and most diverse in the world. In the 14 years since, she’s revitalized the collection — rescuing it from deterioration and obsolescence — and expanded and used it in innovative and creative ways with tremendous benefit to UC Davis and its stakeholders. “Her research program focuses on discovery of natural yeasts with promising characteristics for a broad variety of research avenues, and sharing the candidates with numerous research labs around the world for further strain and process development.” For example, yeasts from the collection and others isolated in Indonesia (on a research trip that she led) have been used in a series of studies to develop technologies to convert agricultural or municipal waste into oil for food, fuel and chemical applications. “She has published numerous meritorious high impact publications, she has approached societally relevant research topics from innovative angles, she has been highly successful in acquiring extramural funding for research, and the results of her research on sustainable biofuels have potential for significant societal and environmental impact.”

Khoo (Photo by Florence Low)

Excellence in Teaching: Andrea Khoo, lecturer, physical education — A faculty member since 2000, she teaches activities classes that focus on fitness and core body conditioning — by way of step aerobics, weight training, step aerobics, aerobic kick boxing and more. “Her students appreciate the thoughtful design of her courses (which enroll students of all fitness levels), her dedication to teaching, her motivational skills, and her positive, ‘can-do’ attitude.” One student commented: “She has a great attitude that makes you want to work out.” Indeed, one of her colleagues remarked: “She not only teaches but she inspires students to make exercise a lifelong pursuit.” In voluntarily designing an expanded curriculum for her teaching assistants, she drew upon her professional experience not only as a certified fitness trainer but as a competitive bodybuilder. The TA training program of eight to 10 weekends is intended to provide an appropriate level of training for her students who wish to become certified personal trainers and/or instructors. Khoo also teaches self-defense, primarily for women, volunteering to lead these classes after the Women’s Resources and Research Center could no longer support them. “She is a tireless advocate for self-empowerment and is an excellent adviser to her students, many of whom seek her advice and counseling on a wide variety of matters related to personal fitness, healthy lifestyle and personal safety.”

Waltonen

Excellence in Teaching: Karma Waltonen, lecturer, University Writing Program — Courses she has taught since 2006 include “Style in the Essay,” “Writing Research Papers,” “Writing in the Disciplines: International Relations” and “Writing in the Professions: Health,” all in the University Writing Program, along with literature and humanities courses, and several popular First-Year Seminars — most of them focusing on writing about The Simpsons or stand-up comedy. “In all of her classes, Dr. Waltonen effectively employs her expertise in the fields of popular culture and humor, emphasizes the importance of identifying the needs and assumptions of a writer’s target audience, and fosters students’ awareness of current events and civic engagement. She frequently employs video clips, references to popular culture, and spontaneous humor.” One nominator said: “Karma, quite frankly, ought to teach a course for instructors about how to engage students.” She serves on the Campus Community Book Project Committee and incorporates each year’s selection into her teaching, and served for several years as the editor of Prized Writing (essays, and scientific and technical writing by undergraduates), recently putting out the 20th anniversary volume. She also a mentor in the Guardian Scholars Program.

OTHER AWARDS COVERAGE

• Academic Senate: Faculty Research Lecture
• Academic Senate: Distinguished Scholarly Public Service Awards

LECTURE AND RECEPTION

An awards program will comprise the Faculty Research Lecture and a joint reception for all Academic Senate and Academic Federation award recipients. The event is scheduled from 5:15 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, in the multipurpose room at the Student Community Center. RSVPs are requested.

The program:

• Awards presentation — 5:15-6:15 p.m.
• Reception — 6:15-6:55 p.m.
• Faculty Research Lecture — "In Search of Medieval Music in Africa,” by Professor Anna Maria Busse Berger, Department of Music, 6:55-7:45 p.m.

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