This past month, five professors have been appointed as UB Distinguished Professors for the 2011 school year. Appointments are effective on Sept. 1.
The five faculty members – within the fields of dentistry, medicine, and social sciences – are Robert Baier, James Campbell, Paul Knight, Teresa Quattrin, and Stanley Schwartz.
The UB Distinguished Professor designation recognizes professors that have taught for at least five years within the university, while achieving national or international prominence as leaders in their respective fields.
Robert Baier is an executive director of the Nation Science Foundation cooperative research center in Biosurfaces, and is the director of the Biomaterials Graduate Program.
"I am very pleased to receive this recognition especially since our group in Buffalo was among the founders of the new field of Biomaterials Research, developing ‘parts for people,'" Baier said.
Baier's tireless work toward the development of biomaterials and surface sciences along with over 100 research trials has had an important effect on the practice of medicine and dentistry. Baier has received numerous national and international distinctions and awards serving on a variety of editorial boards and university committees. He has also devoted his time to mentoring individual undergraduate students through his independent studies courses.
"Since I worked my way through engineering school on a six-year co-op program and then spent 18 years in government and industry research before joining UB full time, I emphasize to students what actually happens in practical circumstances," Baier said. "This practical knowledge puts our students way ahead of the competition for the best jobs, and serves the public by eliminating the mistakes made by my generation of technologists."
James Campbell is a professor and chair within the department of political science in the College of Arts and Sciences. Campbell began teaching at UB in 1998 after holding teaching positions at the University of Georgia and LSU. His research program in testing theories of congressional and presidential election outcomes has led to his recognition as one of the leading researchers on the topic within the entire country.
Additionally, Campbell was recently elected as president of Pi Sigma Alpha, a national honor society of political science.
Paul Knight is a professor within the department of anesthesiology, and Stanley Schwartz is a professor within the departments of medicine, pediatrics and microbiology in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Knight has published 115 papers in peer review journals in anesthesiology, with his research focusing on the relationship between anesthetics and viral infection.
Schwartz, also a prolific researcher, has become a leading authority on the relationship between drug abuse and AIDS. Schwartz has received numerous awards for his research including a UB Sustained Academic Achievement Award as well as the Stockton Kimball Award.
Teresa Quattrin is a professor and chair of the department of pediatrics in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
"It is a great honor to be recognized as being a leader in my field with the title of UB Distinguished Professor," Quattrin said. "It is a privilege few have to built an entire career at one institution and being able to develop my career at UB, and being recognized by UB for my accomplishment, speaks to the philosophy of this institution."
Quattrin's extensive research has led to her reputation as an expert in childhood diabetes and obesity, leading to her election to the Society of Pediatric Research in 2003.
"I have always believed that a good teacher has to diligently prepare him or herself to interact with students and elicit their feedback to better his or her teaching style," Quattrin said. "It is also important for a good teacher to ask the students what ‘they want to get out' of a lecture or shadowing or teaching at the bedside. Also equally important is to keep up with changes in the way students enjoy being taught."
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