Vilas Research and Distinguished Achievement professors honored

Two groups of extraordinary University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty were honored Monday (May 11, 2015) with awards supported by the estate of professor, Senator and Regent William F. Vilas (1840-1908).

Seven professors received Vilas Research Professorships, created by the Vilas estate trustees for the advancement of learning.

Candidates for the professorships possess unusual qualifications and promise, having been recognized nationally and internationally for the quality of their research. The professorships provide a $10,000 salary supplement, $50,000 annually for research expenses and a retirement supplement for faculty who serve at least 15 years as a Vilas Research Professor.

The 2015 recipients are:

• James Dumesic, Chemical and Biological Engineering

• Li Chiao-Ping, Dance

• Tom Loeser, Art

• William Reese, Educational Policy Studies and History

• Mark Seidenberg, Psychology

• Gurindar Sohi, Computer Sciences

• Monica Turner, Zoology

Fifteen professors were named to Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorships, an award recognizing distinguished scholarship as well as standout efforts in teaching and service.

The professorship provides $75,000 in flexible funding over five years — two-thirds of which is provided by the Office of the Provost through the generosity of the Vilas trustees, and one-third provided by the school or college whose dean nominated the winner.

Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorships were awarded to:

• Amy Barger, Astronomy

• Kristin Eschenfelder, Library and Information Studies

• Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell, Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education

• Shi Jin, Mathematics

• Stephen Kantrowitz, History

• Lingjun Li, Pharmacy

• David Lynn, Chemical and Biological Engineering

• Christos Maravelias, Chemical and Biological Engineering

• Manos Mavrikakis, Chemical and Biological Engineering

• Katherine McMahon, Civil and Environmental Engineering

• Rob Nixon, English

• David Page, Biostatistics and Medical Informatics

• Dietram Scheufele, Life Sciences Communication

• Lih-Sheng Turng, Mechanical Engineering

• Susan Webb Yackee, Public Affairs and Political Science