Awards James Ashton-Miller, research professor of biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering, and senior research scientist at the Institute of Gerontology, has been elected a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Conferral of the honor recognizes Ashton-Miller’s contributions to the field of medical and biological engineering, as well as his demonstrated interest, concern and involvement with critical issues affecting the field. Janet Kozyra, research professor in the College of Engineering Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences, recently was selected fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU). According to the AGU, a fellow is a scientist who has attained acknowledged eminence in the geophysical sciences. Gustavo Parra-Montesinos, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, has been awarded the 2004 Shah Family Innovation Prize in recognition of his outstanding research and innovative application of high performance fiber reinforced cement composites in earthquake-resistant structures. Noel Perkins, professor of mechanical engineering, received the 2005 Academic Challenge Award from the Technical University of Munich and ISPO—an international sports equipment show. The award recognizes Perkins’ innovative flycasting coach/analyzer. Appointments U-M-Flint Chancellor Juan Mestas recently was elected to serve a two-year term on the American Council of Education board of directors. The new officers were elected during the organization’s Feb. 15 meeting in Washington, D.C. Perry Schechtman, administrator for the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, recently was elected to the board of directors of the Association of University Administrators of Ophthalmology. The administrators form one of three groups within the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology, which includes chairs of ophthalmology departments and directors of residency programs. The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) recently elected Dr. James R. Baker Jr., professor of internal medicine and biomedical engineering, and the Ruth Dow Doan Professor of Biologic Nanotechnology, director of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI). The ABAI is a conjoint board that includes ABIM and the American Board of Pediatrics. Baker will begin a six-year term as director Jan. 1.
