The Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies announced yesterday the two inaugural winners of the University's Distinguished Scientist Award: Brian R. Duling, professor of molecular and biological physics, and Environmental Sciences Prof. Herman H. Shugart.
Duling was recognized for his research on the regulation of cardiovascular disease. His work focuses on the mechanism of hypertension and the observation of the mechanism of everyday blood vessels, Duling said.
"There are two kinds of cells in the blood vessel that communicate [with] each other to keep the blood vessel normal," Duling said.
Duling added that his studies contributed the knowledge of how these cells work, and how it might break when one has a disease.
Duling said he would use the $10,000 grant that comes with the award he responded that the exciting part to buy more equipment for the department's ongoing studies.
The Molecular Physics and Biological Physics Department "is a very exciting place to build a career," and Duling hopes more students enter into the field of study, he said.
Shugart was given the award for his studies of large-scale ecology, specifically on the study of the trees in Africa and Russia.
Shugart said he visits Africa and Russia once or twice a year, and studies the greenhouse effect on trees there. His research focuses on the impact of climate change on forests and how trees interact with the atmosphere, Shugart said.
Shugart said he plans to use the $10,000 fund to involve the University in to the research group "Resilience Alliance," which is comprised of 20 universities in the United States and studies sustainable environmental practices.
Shugart added that he would also use the grant money to assist environmental sciences graduate students in finishing their studies.
Environmental science "is an exciting field of study," Shugart said. Current students "are the generation facing substantial changes in environment."
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