PLAUDITS
K-STATE KINESIOLOGY PROFESSOR RECEIVES HALL OF FAME HONORS FROM WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
David Dzewaltowski, professor and head of K-State's department of kinesiology, is a new member of the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame.
He was inducted Oct. 2.
Dzewaltowski, who also is director of K-State's Community Health Institute, received his master's degree from West Virginia University in 1985. He joined 99 other West Virginia University alumni and/or faculty who were entered into the hall of fame. To be eligible for nomination, an individual must hold a degree awarded by the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences or a certification in athletic training prior to 1997, or have been a faculty or staff member who made significant contributions to the college, their profession and society.
"This honor makes me believe that my research is having an impact," Dzewaltowski said. "I hope in my work with graduate students I can have as much impact on their lives as some of my former mentors have had on me."
After receiving his doctorate in psychology of exercise and sport in 1987 from the University of Iowa, Dzewaltowski joined K-State. He was promoted to full professor in 2000. His research currently focuses on identifying the social and personal determinants of healthful physical activity and nutrition in children, and evaluating community-based programs to prevent childhood obesity.
Dzewaltowski has authored more than 80 scientific publications, and has been the principal investigator on several research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Agriculture and health foundations for more than $4 million. He has received several awards including being named a Fellow of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Kansas Health Foundation Community Leadership Fellow and the K-State Research and Extension System Builder Award. He also has served on many editorial and advisory boards.
K-STATE MATHEMATICS PROFESSOR SERVING AS PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
A K-State professor is learning firsthand the trends and future direction of scientific research by serving as a program director for the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C.
Zongzhu Lin, professor of mathematics, said his experience as a program director with the foundation's Visiting Scientists, Engineers and Educators Program should benefit K-State.
"Part of my purpose of serving as an NSF program director is to provide myself with a broader vision of science research, such as its current trends and future directions," Lin said. "This special opportunity also is helping me understand the grant-proposal reviewing and decision-making process at the National Science Foundation so I can bring this back to K-State."
Individuals appointed to the Visiting Scientists, Engineers and Educators program are on a non-paid leave of absence from their institution. Lin served as a program director on an intermittent basis from August 2008 to January 2009. He became a full-time program director Jan. 21. His appointment is for one year, but is renewable up to three years.
Lin said program directors organize the evaluation process of submitted proposals, manage the program budget and make recommendations on whether to award or decline a submitted proposal.
In addition, program directors are continuing with their own research. Lin periodically returns to K-State for his research and graduate student supervision. Even when he is not physically on campus, Lin is still involved with K-State mathematics department business, including supervising his three doctoral students on their research by using Internet video tools.
Lin joined K-State in 1993 and was promoted to full professor in 2002. His specialties include representation theory of algebraic groups, quantum groups and lie algebras. Lin earned his doctorate in mathematics from the University of Massachusetts.