Accolades is an occasional News Center feature that highlights recent accomplishments of UT Dallas faculty and students. To submit items for consideration, contact your school’s communication manager.
Center for BrainHealth Leader Honored with Spotlight Award
Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman
Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, founder and chief director of the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas, is among a select group of authors who contributed to a collection of research articles that has won the Frontiers Spotlight Award.
Frontiers publishes several open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journals, as well as Frontiers Research Topics, which are article collections gathered by leading researchers that focus on specialized research areas. The award recognizes the editors of an exceptionally active, collaborative, innovative and impactful research topic. Recipients receive $100,000 to support the organization of an international conference focused on the selected topic in 2018.
Chapman’s article, “Enhancement of cognitive and neural functions through complex reasoning training: Evidence from normal and clinical populations,” was featured in the special research topic collection on augmentation of brain function: facts, fiction and controversy. The collection received more than 1 million views and includes research articles ranging from brain-machine interfaces and neuro-stimulators to the ethical and philosophical considerations that surround brain enhancement.
Computer Scientist Receives Intelligence and Security Informatics Award
Dr. Murat Kantarcioglu
Dr. Murat Kantarcioglu, a professor of computer science in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, recently received the Technical Achievement Award in Intelligence and Security Informatics (ISI) from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
The award, announced at the recent IEEE ISI 2017 conference in Beijing, recognized Kantarcioglu’s outstanding research contributions to data security and privacy. A previous NSF CAREER Award winner, Kantarcioglu directs UT Dallas’ Data Security and Privacy Lab. His research focuses on efficiently extracting information from big data without sacrificing privacy or security.
“Over the years, we have developed privacy-preserving data mining techniques that could be used to analyze big data without sacrificing individual privacy,” Kantarcioglu said. “These techniques become important for cybersecurity and homeland security.”
Kantarcioglu, who arrived at UT Dallas from Purdue University in 2005, said the award highlights the level of work going on at the University on cybersecurity, as well as across all departments.
“Increasingly, UT Dallas is getting more and more awards like this,” Kantarcioglu said. “It’s showing our upwards trajectory. Our great work started to get more recognized.”
University Recognized for Inclusiveness by Campus Pride Index
UT Dallas has earned 4.5 out of 5 possible stars on the Campus Pride Index, an indicator of an institution’s commitment to LGBT+ inclusive policies, programs and practice. UT Dallas is the only Texas school to receive a rating over 4.
The University also was recognized on Campus Pride’s list of colleges and universities that provide gender-inclusive housing.
“With this ranking, UT Dallas’ Galerstein Gender Center hopes to continue advocating for LGBT+ friendly campus practices that attract and retain the most talented students, staff and faculty to UT Dallas,” said Matt Johns, assistant director of LGBT+ programs at the University.
UT Dallas was the only institution in Texas besides Rice University, and one of 219 across the country, that offers students the option of having a roommate of any gender identity in suite-style residence halls and apartments.
“This achievement is one step closer to making UT Dallas more diverse and inclusive for all students, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression,” said Lauren DeCillis, the gender center’s director.
The Galerstein Gender Center fosters an inclusive environment on campus through a variety of programs, including events, workshops, counseling and Safe Zone Ally training.
Housing and Residential Life at UT Dallas welcome students of all gender identities and expressions and are committed to providing an affirming and nondiscriminatory housing educational experience.