2012-2013 Hellman Faculty Fellows Announced

"We were thrilled with the number of outstanding faculty proposals that were submitted this year," said Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Suresh Subramani. "Each one demonstrated innovative ideas for conducting transformative research with the potential to impact our society."

Rommie Amaro, assistant professor in the department of chemistry and biochemistry, plans to use her award to launch a new research-oriented diversity and outreach initiative in her lab called CompChemBioCAMP. The goal of the camp is to recruit and retain women in chemistry and the physical sciences. "It is my ultimate hope that this program will help change the gender landscape of these fields at local, national and international levels," she said.

The Hellman Fellowship Program was established at UC San Diego in 1995 with a gift of $2.5 million from Chris and Warren Hellman. Last year, the Hellman Fellows Fund made an additional grant of $2.4 million, providing continued support for the program. Its purpose is to provide financial support and encouragement to young faculty who show capacity for great distinction in their research and creative activities.

"One of UC San Diego’s strengths is that it offers the kind of collaborative environment where young faculty members thrive," added Subramani. "Yet, we are faced with the challenge of continuing to support innovative new faculty work while state funding for the university is in decline. We are deeply grateful to the Hellmans for their generosity and confidence in UC San Diego’s excellent young faculty."

For faculty just starting their career, obtaining funding for scholarly activities in which one does not yet have extensive preliminary results can be very difficult, explained Amaro. Funding from the Hellman Fellowship will help Amaro and the other fellows to accomplish scholarly work that will establish their credibility as a faculty member. Private support, like the Hellman Fellowship, helps UC San Diego to attract and retain the nation’s top professors and researchers.

"Support, such as the Hellman award, is important because it provides critical early-stage funding for research and other initiatives that will ultimately allow junior faculty to reach their full potential in terms of scientific impact," added Amaro. "I am honored to be selected as a Hellman Fellow and very grateful for their generous support."

Nineteen faculty proposals were submitted by the Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences divisions, of which 13 were selected for funding. From the Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering divisions, nine proposals were selected out of 20 submissions.

The 2012-2013 Hellman Faculty Fellows are:

In Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering

• Rommie Amaro, chemistry and biochemistry
• Alina Bucur, mathematics
• Kamalika Chaudhuri, computer science and engineering
• Juan Del Alamo, mechanical and aerospace engineering
• Carolyn Kurle, section of ecology, behavior and evolution
• Ulrich Muller, chemistry and biochemistry
• Francesco Paesani, chemistry and biochemistry
• Navtej Toor, chemistry and biochemistry
• Jie Xiang, electrical and computer engineering

In Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences

• Claire Adida, political science
• Saba Bazargan, philosophy
• Joseph Hankins, anthropology
• Sara Kaplan, ethnic studies
• Nancy Kwak, history
• John McMurria, communication
• Thomas Medvetz, sociology
• Paul Niehaus, economics
• Katharina Rosenberger, music
• Daphne Taylor-Garcia, ethnic studies
• Irina Telyukova, economics
• Kalindi Vora, ethnic studies
• K. Wayne Yang, ethnic studies