Three faculty members awarded named professorships

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents recently awarded named professorships to three members of the University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty.

These awards recognize the recipients for significant contributions to their fields of research. The individuals are:

— Shannon C. Kenney, professor of medicine and microbiology and immunology, Wattawa Bascom Professorship in Cancer Research.

Since joining the UW–Madison Department of Medicine in 2006, Kenney has taught doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows and will soon also teach medical students and infectious disease fellows in her lab. The intricacies of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are essential to Kenney’s research. Kenney uses the virus in research efforts to cure EBV-related malignancies in patients, such as Hodgkin’s disease, lymphomas, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and gastric cancers.

The Wattawa Bascom Professorship in Cancer Research is funded through a gift to UW–Madison to support cancer research. The purpose of the five-year, renewable professorship is to advance care of cancer patients through both basic and clinical research.

— Stephen Malpezzi, professor of real estate and urban land economics, Lorin and Marjorie Tiefenthaler Distinguished Chair in Real Estate.

Malpezzi’s research spans local and international economic development, housing demand and the effects of economic policies on real estate markets. Having advised governments and private organizations on urban policies, Malpezzi is a valuable resource for UW–Madison faculty and students in the business school.

Established with a $1 million endowment, the Lorin and Marjorie Tiefenthaler Foundation offers this five-year professorship for an outstanding member of the Department of Real Estate in the School of Business.

— Francois Ortalo-Magne, professor of real estate and urban land economics, Robert E. Wangard Chair in Real Estate.

Ortalo-Magne’s work in the theoretical interpretation of dynamic equilibrium housing models and in the collection and analysis of novel data sets surrounding the housing market has provided unique insights to the university community. His writings on agricultural policy reform have enhanced his ability to connect with students on a regional, national and international scale.

The Robert E. Wangard Chair in Real Estate fund was established in 1998 to support a member of the business school faculty in his or her research. The Wangard Chair’s total endowment is $1.5 million.