A neuroscientist who explores the biology of emotions, depression and addiction has been named the recipient of one of the U-M’s top faculty honors.

Huda Akil will be the Henry Russel Lecturer for 2006. Her selection, approved July 21 by the Board of Regents, recognizes her leadership in neuroscience research and teaching at U-M and nationally. Akil is the Gardner C. Quarton Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at the Medical School and co-director of the Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, formerly the Mental Health Research Institute.

The Russel lectureship, established in 1926, is awarded each year to an outstanding U-M professor. Akil will deliver the Russel lecture March 14, 2006.

Akil’s research focuses on the genes, proteins, neurotransmitters and neural circuits involved in emotional response—and the abnormalities in those systems that are the hallmarks of depression, addiction and anxiety disorders.

Regents also approved faculty members Amy Porter and Dennis Sylvester as recipients of the Russel Award that honors junior faculty with less than six years of tenure for achievement in research and teaching.

Porter, associate professor of flute in the School of Music, received the award for distinguished scholarship and conspicuous ability as a teacher. A three-time international prize winning flutist, Porter formed the non-profit Southeast Michigan Flute Association in 2002 and produces the Anatomy of Sound: A Workshop for Flutists.

Sylvester, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering, has conducted research on low-power integrated circuit design, and created a class on digital integrated circuit design that has been very popular with undergraduate students.

The Record will preview Akil’s lecture and feature the award winners in spring 2006.