Four faculty members in the College of Health Professions at North Dakota State University have been recognized for their contributions to service, advising and research. Those who received awards include: Elizabeth Skoy, associate professor of pharmacy practice with the Dean’s Award for Exemplary Service; Stefanie Meyer, academic coordinator and lecturer in public health with the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Advising; Bin Guo, associate professor in pharmaceutical sciences, and Mark Strand, professor of pharmacy practice, with the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research.
Skoy’s award recognizes a College of Health Professions faculty member with a sustained record of service. She collaborated to initiate a Guatemala medical mission for pharmacy students. She served on the faculty senate and faculty senate executive committee, university assessment committee, and pharmacy admissions committee and assessment committee. Skoy chaired an ExamSoft task force, was faculty representative on the fraternity/sorority life advisory board, and an inaugural member of the Red River Valley Immunization Coalition. “I am astonished with the amount of time and effort that she dedicates to serving the needs of students, patients, and committees,” said a colleague. “Her true passion for service is contagious.”
Stefanie Meyer received the award for Outstanding Advising. She advises approximately 40 master’s of public health students from application through graduation and displays cultural sensitivity to a diverse student body. Meyer established relationships with clinic sites to provide sound practicum experiences for students. One colleague wrote: “Students have had success because of her abilities and contribution.” According to another colleague: “Her willingness to act in the students’ best interests, sensitivity to diversity issues, and knowledge of practicum resources have made her an invaluable asset to the department.”
Bin Guo and Mark Strand each received the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research. Among his research activities, Guo received a National Cancer Institute grant to develop a treatment system to attack metastatic colorectal cancer cells. “This is another milestone in a stellar career that has already contributed new, valuable knowledge to the fight against cancer,” said Charles Peterson, dean of the College of Health Professions. Guo is also part of a research group studying ways to use tiny polymer spheres to deliver anticancer drugs to prostate cancers.
Mark Strand’s research includes the epidemiology of diabetes and other chronic diseases, management of depression among diabetes patients, pharmacy contributions to public health, and global health topics. His career includes working in China, Thailand and Kenya. A colleague noted that Strand has a passion for research and for teaching how to be a researcher. “He invites students and junior faculty unfamiliar with the research process to join his research team. These teams are always multi-disciplinary.” A student commented, “The students find great benefit in knowing that their instructors are willing to learn along with them.”
The College of Health Professions recognition awards recognize faculty that achieve excellence in research, service and academic advising. Faculty members nominate candidates. An awards committee comprised of faculty and student members recommends award recipients to the dean of the College of Health Professions.