Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies

Jorge Chinea, director of the Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies, was honored by Ilitch Holdings and Comerica Bank as a 2024 Game Changer, a group of influential individuals who are making a positive impact in the Detroit community by working to create an inclusive environment for all. Jorge was honored as part of the organizations’ Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, in recognition of his tremendous impact in the Hispanic community at Wayne State and beyond.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Tom Kuntzleman, assistant professor of teaching in Chemistry was awarded with the 2024 Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach by the American Chemical Society. He has been recognized for his outstanding volunteer achievements that have improved public recognition and appreciation for the contributions of chemistry. 

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Distinguished professor of psychology Mark Lumley was awarded the 2024 Nathan W. Perry, Jr. Award for Career Service to Health Psychology from the Society for Health Psychology.

Division of Research & Innovation

At the biennial conference of the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health, two Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute faculty members received prestigious awards for their work. Carla Barron, Ph.D., was awarded the Selma Fraiberg Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Michigan infants, young children and their families in the areas of direct service delivery, program administration and training. Ann Stacks, Ph.D., was presented the Betty Tableman Award in recognition of public actions that promote the welfare of infants, young children and their families.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Charles Winter, professor of chemistry in Wayne State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, was recently awarded a grant for his work on the growth of metal and metal-silicon thin films for advanced transistors.

Read more here. 

Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies 

Jose Cuello, associate professor emeritus of history, was honored by MANA de Metro Detroit with its 2024 Amigo of the Year Award for his continued advocacy work on behalf of the Latino community. The MANA National Organization's mission is to empower Latinas through leadership development, community service, education and advocacy. Mana is short for Hermana, Spanish for “Sister.”

School of Social Work

Associate professor Bryan Victor received the 2023 Wayne State University Warrior Trailblazers Award, one of the university’s six Value Awards, celebrating individuals who significantly impact others and contribute to the university’s mission. Victor was selected in recognition of his groundbreaking research innovations with artificial intelligence, particularly his use of large language models like ChatGPT in social work scholarship.

School of Medicine

Cristinia Espinosa-Diez received a 2024 Early Career Investigator Award from the Histochemical Society. She will apply the honorarium and seed grant funding to her study addressing chronic kidney disease. 

School of Medicine

Charles Schiffer, M.D., professor emeritus of the Department of Oncology, was named one of two ASH Mentor Award recipients by The American Society of Hematology. The Mentor Award recognizes members who have made a difference in the hematology community through mentoring. 

Institute of Gerontology

Peter Lichtenberg, distinguished service professor of psychology and the director of the Institute of Gerontology, received the Gerontological Society of America's 2024 Donald P. Kent Award for exemplifying exceptional standards of professional leadership in gerontology through teaching, service and interpretation of gerontology to the larger society. Lichtenberg has been a member of GSA since 1987 and served as GSA president in 2022.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Professor Kashian, professor of biological sciences and director of enviornmental sciences, was named president of the International Association for Great Lakes Research. The organization brings together researchers across disciplines, knowledge systems and domains of expertise to collaborate is made up of researchers studying the Laurentian Great Lakes, other large lakes of the world and their watersheds. 

School of Medicine

Gil Mor, scientific director of the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development,  received the Best Mentor Award from the International Society for Immunology and Reproduction, in recogition of his leading efforts to mentor young researchers in the field of reproductive immunology and ovarian cancer.

School of Medicine

Sokol Todi, professor and chair in the Department of Pharmacology, was selected to lead a study section of the National Institutes of Health for a one-year term beginning in July 2024.

School of Medicine

Dr. Ayers, associate professor of internal medicine and pediatrics, has been selected to receive the Jerry Yee Mentorship Award from the Michigan Chapter of the American College of Physicians. The award recognizes physicians with a demonstrated commitment to supporting the scholarly and professional advancement of their students, trainees and junior colleagues. Recipients also serve as role models of communication and relationship management, demonstrate a commitment to the professional growth and psychological well-being of mentees, and the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.

School of Medicine

Dr. Rossi, professor in the Department of Physiology, received the inaugural Jerry Yee Mentorship Award from the Michigan Chapter of the American College of Physicians in recognition of her commitment to mentoring in clinical research, post-graduate scholarship and professional development.