Page 14 - CEMS Winter 2022 Newsletter

FACULTY NEWS
Faculty awards
Assistant Professor Michelle Calabrese has been selected for a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support her project “Beyond alignment: novel mechanisms for controlling block copolymer phase behavior using magnetic fields.” This prestigious award provides support for junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations.
The grant will support Calabrese’s work on developing ordered block copolymer materials using external fields. The proposed research aims to determine the mechanisms underlying newly-discovered magnetic field-induced phase formation in diamagnetic polymer solutions that cannot be explained by traditional mechanisms of domain alignment, which will then be employed to design new polymeric materials with superior properties. Through the proposed integrated research and education activities, Calabrese and her team will employ digital tools, inclusive teaching and
Retirement reflections continued from page 7
ten paper copies of proposals, rush them to Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) to meet the deadline for FedEx shipment to the National Science Foundation (NSF). Until recently, visitors have been shown the NSF mail room that would be filled up to the ceiling with proposals at the deadlines.
I always enjoyed interacting with my graduate students, both in research and by having parties in my backyard. The most rewarding experience was to see them succeed after graduating and develop successful careers.
I enjoyed the freedom as a faculty member to do the research I did. I had the opportunity to spend sabbaticals in Japan, Italy and Austria and interact with colleagues all over the world. It was also exciting to contribute to planning U.S. research in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering as a Program Director at NSF.
I realize that I don’t enjoy writing proposals that much anymore. Thus, it is time to retire.
CEMS Assistant Professor Michelle Calabrese won a NSF CAREER Award. Photo credit: Rebecca Slater, By Rebecca Studios.
lab practices, and lab tours with hands-on demos for students at the high school through graduate levels, with a particular focus on engaging women and students from communities of color.
I can focus on my other interests instead. I will have now more time to spend with my family, especially with my grandkids. I will have more time to take care and to study my bees who have amazing abilities to communicate and to function as populations. I also plan, in the near future, to climb the Grossglockner (again), the highest mountain in Austria, and Kilimanjaro in Africa. I will maybe sail (again) from the Virgin Islands to Bermuda.
I don’t think retirement will get boring.”
Please share your well wishes for Professor Srienc:
https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/DGi6TVpx
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