The winners of three prizes for junior faculty in Yale College were recently announced by Dean Richard H. Brodhead.
Greer Prize
This year's Arthur Greer Memorial Prize, which supports a research project in the social or natural sciences, was presented to Marios Papaefthymiou, assistant professor of electrical engineering, and Charles Schmuttenmaer, assistant professor of chemistry. The prize was established in 1987 by the alumni of the Book and Snake Society to honor Arthur Greer '26S, who was active in the organization until his death in 1981. It supports research during the year following the presentation of the award.
An authority on computer systems, Professor Papaefthymiou will be conducting research on multiprogrammed parallel electronics design and new architecture for low power systems. Professor Schmuttenmaer will be applying new developments in laser technology to elucidate the problems of solvent dynamics.
Poorvu Family Prize
Three junior faculty have received the Poorvu Family Prize, which seeks to recognize and enhance Yale's strength in interdisciplinary teaching by honoring junior faculty who have demonstrated excellence in teaching interdisciplinary undergraduate programs. In addition to paying tribute to these faculty members, the award allows them to focus during the summer months on research essential to their development as scholars and teachers.
Catriona MacLeod and Anette Schwarz, assistant professors in the department of Germanic languages and literatures, were honored this year for their innovative design of "German Studies 150A," an interdisciplinary introduction to German culture and thought. In addition, Laura Wexler, assistant professor of women's studies and American studies, was recognized for her use of multidisciplinary materials to inspire cross-disciplinary inquiry in several courses, including the "American Studies Junior Seminar" and "Introduction to Women's Studies."
Heyman Prize
The Samuel and Ronnie Heyman Prize for Outstanding Scholarly Publication or Research by Junior Faculty Members in the Humanities was presented to Glenda Gilmore, assistant professor of history, and Romy Golan, associate professor of the history of art. The prize was established in 1986 to provide support for junior faculty members in the humanities to complete research leading to publication and in recognition of outstanding scholarly work already performed.
Both of this year's recipients were cited for books they've completed. Professor Gilmore was recognized for her book "Gender and Jim Crow: Women and the Politics of White Supremacy in North Carolina, 1896-1920," published this year by the University of North Carolina Press. Earlier versions of this work have won several other prizes, including the Organization of American Historians' award for the best dissertation in U.S. women's history. Professor Golan was honored for her book "Modernity and Nostalgia: Art and Politics in France Between the Wars," published in 1995 by Yale University Press.