SIUE’s De Meo Receives Paul Simon Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Award
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Cristina De Meo, professor in the Department of Chemistry in the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences, was presented the 2016 Paul Simon Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Award at the Paul Simon Luncheon held Tuesday, March 29, during the 20th Annual Graduate School Spring Research Symposium.
The award, named in honor of famed Illinois politician Paul Simon, recognizes significant achievements in research, and the integration of that research into teaching and mentoring.
At the luncheon, De Meo expressed her great appreciation for the support of the University and her colleagues and students. She emphasized the importance of expanding students’ horizons.
“An educator is an eye opener, showing students what they can do and who they can become in their learning journey,” said De Meo. “I would lose 99 percent of my students’ attention if I did not integrate the application of what they are learning in organic chemistry and biochemistry, with drug discovery and scientific research, including my own contributions to the field.
“In my hands-on courses, research students can experience real research and apply their theoretical knowledge of organic chemistry to practical science,” she added. “Students not only acquire essential skills in organic synthesis, but also realize that they can make a real contribution in the field. Seeing my students grow as scientists and achieve professional success makes my job truly rewarding.”
The Graduate School Spring Research Symposium also featured a scholarly activity SLAM, at which graduate and professional students offered engaging presentations of their research. SIU School of Dental Medicine third year student Spencer Blackham earned first place in the competition, and the people’s choice award for his evaluation of the biocompatibility of a new dental material using a calvarial defect model.
The Symposium continued with a workshop on SIUE SPARK, the University’s open access institutional repository, displays of the scholarly activities of graduate students and a speed networking session. A keynote address titled “The Contributions of Statistics to Brain Research,” was presented by Hernando Ombao, PhD, professor of statistics at the University of California at Irvine.
The day’s events ended with a special reception hosted by SIUE Interim Chancellor Stephen Hansen honoring faculty and staff who submitted external grants and recognizing first time principal investigators.
Photo: SIUE Interim Chancellor Stephen Hansen, PhD, presents the Paul Simon Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Award to Christina De Meo, PhD, professor in the Department of Chemistry in the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences.
