What do a philosopher of science, an ethnic studies scholar, a cell and developmental biologist, a researcher on memory, and a human rights advocate have in common? They are all recipients of prestigious awards presented by the UC San Diego Chancellor’s Associates donor group for excellence in teaching, research and community service. The annual recognition ceremony and reception will be held March 25 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the new Robert Paine Scripps Forum for Science, Society and the Environment on the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus at UC San Diego.

The annual event honors UC San Diego faculty as a whole, while highlighting the important contributions of the university’s most exemplary teachers and researchers via brief video presentations. Chancellor’s Associates, a program for donors who give an annual leadership gift of $1,500 or more to the university, will recognize the outstanding accomplishments of university faculty members with a citation and $2,500 honorarium. 

The recipients of the 2009 Chancellor’s Associates Faculty Excellence Awards include: Nigel Crawford, Ph.D., professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, for excellence in undergraduate teaching; Yen Espiritu, Ph.D., professor of Ethnic Studies, for excellence in graduate teaching; Nancy Cartwright, Ph.D., professor of Philosophy, for excellence in research in arts, humanities and social sciences; Larry Squire, Ph.D., professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Psychology, for excellence in research in science and engineering; and Gerry Mackie, Ph.D., assistant professor of Political Science for  excellence in community service.

“We are enormously pleased to present the Faculty Excellence Awards to these extraordinarily talented members of our faculty,” said UC San Diego Chancellor Marye Anne Fox. “Each has made an important contribution to UC San Diego and the community, through teaching, research or community leadership.  We are proud to have them on our faculty.”

Award candidates are nominated by their academic peers, with final selection by a committee comprising Chancellor’s Associates donors.  Criteria for selection are based on faculty member achievements, reputation and impact on students and the academic community. Since 1974, UC San Diego has recognized more than 100 extraordinary faculty members with Chancellor’s Associates Faculty Excellence Awards.

About the 2009 Chancellor’s Associates Faculty
Excellence Awards recipients:

Nigel Crawford, Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology

Nigel Crawford

Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

Crawford is being recognized for his exemplary work and dedication to the Division of Biological Sciences. For more than 20 years, Crawford has earned rave reviews that praise his captivating lectures and genuine interest in his students’ education and future. In addition to teaching undergraduate biology classes, Crawford has embraced the opportunity to teach freshman seminar courses on topics such as “Integrative Medicine” and “the American Diet,” using them as a platform to initiate and test new material for future courses. These seminars have earned him outstanding evaluations as well with 100 percent of his students recommending him as an instructor.

“Professor Crawford’s commitment to undergraduate teaching is extraordinary,” said Steve Kay, dean of the Division of Biological Sciences. “He is passionate about communicating science, creative in his approaches, and personally committed to ensuring that his students have every opportunity to learn in and outside the classroom.”

Yen Espiritu, Professor of Ethnic Studies

Excellence in Graduate Teaching

Yen Espiritu

Espiritu will be honored for her inspirational work in teaching graduate students at UC San Diego.  A founding member and current chair of the Department of Ethnic Studies, she is a tireless mentor, serving on or chairing numerous masters thesis and dissertation committees. Graduate students admire her for her dedication and energy as well as the intellectual challenges and professional opportunities she provides. She encourages her students to become self-sufficient scholars and is recognized by them as a role model. Espiritu has been instrumental in shaping the graduate curriculum and the diversity of the student body, creating a rich environment in which everyone thrives.

“Professor Espiritu is an exceptionally dedicated and gifted teacher,” said Jeff Elman, dean of the Division of Social Sciences. “The graduate students not only see her as a talented and productive scholar, but also as a role model whose scholarship, teaching and service they should emulate.”

Nancy Cartwright, Professor of Philosophy

Excellence in Research in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Nancy Cartwright

Cartwright will be recognized for her outstanding research in the philosophy of science and economics. She is known for her pioneering work, particularly on the nature of “laws” in physics, the relationship between methods and theories of causality in the natural and social sciences, and the use of evidence in policy studies. Her most recent work critiques the unique role of “randomized control trials” as evidence in medical and social policy, which has far-reaching implications in the medical sciences and pharmaceutical industry as well as social policy. In recognition of her research she has received numerous accolades and awards including the MacArthur Fellowship, or “genius” award, which has been given to fewer than ten philosophers.

“Professor Cartwright’s career trajectory has been extremely impressive,” stated Seth Lerer, dean of the Division of Arts and Humanities. “Her work in the philosophy of science has brought her to the forefront of contemporary philosophers and rather than rest on her laurels, she has begun ambitious new and extremely important research projects.”

Larry Squire, Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Psychology

Excellence in Research in Science and Engineering

Larry Squire

Squire is being honored for his exceptional research contributions in the field of psychiatry, neuroscience and psychology. He has become the leading investigator of the organization and structure of mammalian memory and pioneered the brain-based distinction between declarative and procedural memory, introducing these terms into neuroscience in 1980. His work has had a significant influence on understanding and diagnosing diseases that affect memory, including Alzheimer’s disease. Squire is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Institute of Medicine, and the American Philosophical Society.

"Larry is one of UC San Diego's most illustrious scientists," said Lewis Judd, M.D., chair of the Department of Psychiatry. "He is internationally recognized as one of the most productive, cutting edge scientists in his research area. He has not only improved our understanding of memory, but also established and produced a clearer path for treating and ultimately preventing diseases that affect memory."

Gerry Mackie, Assistant Professor of Political Science

Excellence in Community Service

Gerry Mackie

Mackie will be honored for his innovative research on the practice of female genital cutting, and for his scholarly advice on the organization of policies and programs for its abandonment. Since 1999, he has worked with the nongovernmental organization Tostan in Senegal, which has organized unprecedented mass abandonments of the practice in 3,500 communities. Since 2004 he has worked closely with UNICEF on the issue, helping to devise an internationally distributed best practices publication and a global abandonment strategy. In 2009, his ideas were endorsed as the “common approach” to the practice by 11 United Nations agencies.

“Mackie’s role as a leading expert and a committed humanitarian advocate clearly contributes to the university’s credibility and reputation as an institution that supports human rights and the opportunities of even the most disadvantaged,” said Clark Gibson, chair of the Department of Political Science.  “He is truly working to change the world for the better.”

About UC San Diego Chancellor’s Associates
The UC San Diego Chancellor’s Associates program provides an opportunity for the university to connect with friends and supporters within the community. Through the years, the group has grown to include nearly 500 alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends from across the country. Chancellor’s Associates donors are recognized for their generosity in providing annual leadership gifts of $1,500 or more to be used at the Chancellor’s discretion. For more information on Chancellor’s Associates, please visit http://www.chancellorsassociates.ucsd.edu.