UA student chosen for health internship

A UA student was honored in a national health internship program for talented minorities.

Candice Donald

Candice Donald, a community health education alumna, was one of only 16 college students chosen to represent the Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars, a press release stated.

The internship program for talented minorities takes place in Washington, D.C. and is directed by the Kaiser Family Foundation in partnership with Howard University, the release stated.

The students selected for the program "show real potential to become part of the next generation of health polity leadership," said Drew E. Altman, Kaiser Family Foundation president, in the release.

The goal of the program, the release stated, is for the students to "learn first-hand how health policy is created and implemented," by having an "opportunity to work in congressional offices with major health responsibilities."

As well as interning in Washington congressional offices, the scholars learn about legislative procedure and health policy issues, develop critical thinking and leadership skills, according to the release.

Students will also participate in seminars and site visits which augment their knowledge of health care issues.

- Danielle Rideau

AZ Center for Innovation names Koffler chairman

A former UA president was named advisory board chair for the Arizona Center for Innovation last week.

Henry Koffler, who was UA president from 1982 to 1991, was appointed in the first official chair for the advisory board of the center, which is located at the UA Science and Technology Park, said Jim Fountain, director of the Arizona Center for Innovation.

"(Koffler) is well known and respected in the community and he brings a nice blend being an administrator and academician," Fountain said. "We're very lucky to have him."

The board is made up of economic development professionals, venture capitalists, lawyers, and other professionals who offer counsel to companies that work with the center, Fountain said.

The Arizona Center for Innovation, which opened in the summer of 2003, provides space and resources for very early stage companies of high-tech products who want to commercialize their product, Fountain said.

- Anthony D. Ávila

Professor Emeritus John A. Reagan

Engineering Prof. Wins NASA Award

Professor Emeritus John A. Reagan was awarded NASA's Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest honor NASA awards to researchers who are not employees of the federal government.

According to a press release, Reagan was given the award for his "outstanding contributions to the advancement of active and passive atmospheric optical remote sensing techniques, which are critical in understanding the optical properties of aerosols and their impact on the climate."

Reagan teaches in the department of electrical and computer engineering, where he specializes in electromagnetic and remote sensing, atmospheric radiation and optics and optoelectronic instrumentation.

He began his career at the UA in 1967.

"I was happy for him that he was recognized," said Hal S. Tharp, associate professor and associate department head in the department of electrical and computer engineering.

Tharp said Reagan has a reputation in the department for being a scholar and a teacher, and he has created new courses in electromagnetics and remote sensing.

Reagan also established the Atmospheric Remote Sensing Laboratory (ARSL) in the ECE department.

-Andrew O'Neill

Optics Dept. becomes newest college

During the April session of the Arizona Board of Regents, approval was granted for the UA's Department of Optical Sciences to become the College of Optical Sciences.

James C. Wyant, director of the optical sciences department has been a faculty member since 1974. Wyant founded WYKO, an optics company founded in 1984 and sold in 1997 to VEECO, which is a leading provider of metrology and process equipment solutions. He sat on the board of directors at VEECO until 1999, according to the press release and http://www.veeco.com.

Due to his knowledge, experience, and contributions to the field of optical science, Wyant received notice from Provost George Davis, executive vice president, that effective this June, he would be the new dean of the college.

"I think that the appointment of Jim Wyant to the position of dean was one of the best decisions that George Davis has ever and will ever make," said Bobbie Doss, director of personnel administration for the college of optical sciences.

"Jim has helped this department grow tremendously in the last few years."

- Troy J. Acevedo