February Faculty and Staff Features 2013

Linda Hancock, Ph.D., assistant director of the Office of Health Promotion

Hancock served on a panel of five experts who discussed liver health during a Feb. 14 briefing on Capitol Hill.

The briefing, convened to emphasize the importance of promoting liver health education nationally, was presented to staff members from the offices of Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and Reps. Bill Cassidy, R-La; Charlie Dent, R-Pa; Mike Honda, D-Ca.; and Hank Johnson, D-Ga.

The panel discussed how lack of awareness and poor liver health among America’s adults and children, particularly in hard-hit communities of color, can lead to a wide range of lethal but preventable diseases, including heart disease, obesity, stroke and diabetes.  

Hancock discussion focused on how to empower vulnerable college students and young adults to avoid risky behaviors.

Hancock serves as both a clinician and director of The VCU Wellness Resource Center, which provides education and counseling to improve student health.

The Capitol Hill briefing was sponsored by Hepatitis Foundation International, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the Trust for America’s Health.

 

Yuichi Motai, Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Engineering

Motai, Ph.D, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering with VCU’s School of Engineering, was recently promoted to the level of Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

“We are very pleased to have Yuichi Motai join the elite rank of IEEE Senior Members,” said Gordon Day, Ph.D, IEEE President and CEO.

Senior member is the highest professional grade of the IEEE for which a member may apply. Only 8 percent of the IEEE’s 416,000 members have achieved this level.

 

 

Dana Ladd, Librarian, Community Health Education Center, VCU Medical Center

Ladd has co-authored the book, “The Medical Library Association Guide to Finding Out About Diabetes,” which is published by Neal Schumann Publishers.

“The book is aimed at diabetes patients and librarians who are helping find information for patients/family members with diabetes,” said Ladd. “This book will help people find reliable and accurate information about their condition so they can make informed decisions about their health.”

The book provides basic resources and details about management resources for those with diabetes. It also helps readers find resources for those living with diabetes and describes complications that can arise from the disease.

Ladd is currently working on a Ph.D. in Social and Behavioral Health. After finishing her degree, she hopes to write a similar book about kidney disease resources.

Edward Gibbs, Director of Procurement and Payment

Gibbs, director of VCU’s Office of Procurement Services, received the Metropolitan Business League’s 2013 Lifetime Achievement award. Gibbs received the award for his work in inclusive procurement, his dedication to minority businesses and the positive impact he has brought to the community.

The award was presented to Gibbs at the Metropolitan Business League award ceremony on Feb. 2 at the Hippodrome Theater in Richmond.

Gibbs received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Bridgewater College and a Master of Education in educational leadership with a concentration in administration and supervision from VCU. His work is directed toward coordinating the establishment of procurement policies as well as informing the university and community about procurement.

 

Edward G. Kardos, Director of Development for Major Gifts, VCU School of Dentistry

Kardos recently published his latest book, “Elias and the Legend of Sirok,” through Graygate Publishing. It is a mythological tale based upon a hero’s journey of discovery and the importance of following one’s heart. The novel follows Elias, an artist, who is forced to make a decision regarding his future. Transported from his Hungarian village to a dangerous world where he faces mystical beings and powers, Elias fights for survival and learns self-discovery.

Kardos said his book is aimed at young readers, but he believes anyone young at heart will enjoy the book.

“I just have to believe this theme resonates with just about everyone,” he said.

This is the third book Kardos has published. His first book, “Yours, Aiden” a story of self-enlightenment and friendship, was released in 2002. Kardos published his second book, “Zen Master Next Door,” described as “parables for enlightened everyday living,” in 2009.

 

Louis De Felice, Ph.D., Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Physiology and Biophysics

De Felice will be honored by the Biophysical Society with its Emily M. Gray Award on Feb. 4 in Philadelphia at the society’s annual meeting.

The Emily M. Gray Award is given for significant contributions to education in biophysics. De Felice was selected for his enduring and multifaceted efforts to encourage the development and dissemination of knowledge in biophysics through outreach and education. As this year’s awardee, he will present the keynote Emily M. Gray Lecture at the Student Symposium at the annual meeting.

De Felice, who also serves as assistant dean of graduate education in the VCU School of Medicine, was honored in 2012 by the School of Medicine with its Distinguished Mentor Award. Throughout his career, De Felice has been dedicated to advocating for students who come from disadvantaged or non-traditional backgrounds and to encouraging students who are uncertain they can achieve their dreams.

Krasnodara Cameron was a mother of two and several years out of the classroom when she first met De Felice in 2009. She was interested in pursuing a research career but unsure of her ability to re-enter school and balance her home life. She enrolled as a Ph.D. student and joined De Felice’s lab in 2011, and can now report that “because of his encouragement and amazing mentorship, I am already a co-author to a manuscript published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, a first author to a manuscript submitted for publication and I have presented our work in six regional and national meetings.”