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• Jodi Beaudry

  Jodi Beaudry, a research specialist in Microbial Genetics and Genomics, was selected as the winner of the Robert I. Gross Memorial Award from the American Biological Safety Association. The award recognizes exemplary students in biological safety who are working on either a master's or doctoral degree at an accredited university or college worldwide and who deal with significant biological safety challenges in their work and degree field.

  Beaudry's research focuses on forensic level real-time PCR genotyping analyses for the detection and characterization of bacterial select agent pathogens like Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. She also leads other forensic projects for B. anthracis genotyping where she applies molecular techniques to the management of a facility that requires strict practices and validated protocols for handling and identifying bacterial pathogens.

  This award includes a paid trip to the association's annual conference in Reno, Nev.,
  Oct. 19-22, and a 30-minute presentation before an international audience expected to approach 1,000 attendees.

• Inside NAU the television show was awarded an APEX Award of Excellence in the Marketing and Public Relations Electronic and Video Publications category. The show is hosted by Theresa Bierer and produced by NAU Television Services in collaboration with the Office of Public Affairs.
  
  APEX Awards, sponsored by Communications Concepts, are based on "excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence."
  
  The show was one of 13 electronic and video publications awarded the APEX Award of Excellence out of 231 entries in the category.
  
  Information about the APEX Awards is available online.
  
  Watch the Inside NAU the television show online.

• Bill Wiist and Heidi Wayment at the first meeting of the Society for Spirituality, Theology and Health on June 26 at Duke University.

  Heidi Wayment, professor of psychology, and Bill Wiist, professor of health sciences, each made presentations at the first meeting of the Society for Spirituality, Theology and Health on June 26 at Duke University in Durham, N.C. Their research was funded in part by a grant from the NAU Intramural Grant Program to conduct a web-based survey of the religious and health practices and psychological characteristics of Buddhists.
  
  Wayment's presentation was titled "The Relationship of Mindfulness to Buddhist's Psychological and Physical Health." Wiist's presentation was "Buddhists' Health and Religious Practices." Their co-authors on the research were Bruce M. Sullivan, professor of religious studies, and Meghan Warren, assistant professor of physical therapy.
• Phil Mlsna, associate professor of electrical engineering, and Janet McShane, chair of Mathematics and Statistics, together with graduate students Sarah Brown, Chester Ismay, Maya Lanzetta and Jennifer Maynard from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, presented "Mathematics Skills Assessment and Training in Freshman Engineering Courses" at the American Society for Engineering Education annual conference and exposition June 22-25 in Pittsburgh. Their paper discussed the results of the two-year pilot study TIMES-Training Intuition in Math for Engineering Success.
• Natalie Hess, professor of Bilingual and Multicultural Education/ESL at NAU-Yuma has had a co-authored book published: Wow! Stories from Real Life: A Low-Beginning Multi-skills Text. The book is designed for adult English language learners.
• J. Judson Wynne, NAU doctoral student in biology and cave research scientist with the Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research, and two colleagues recently published an article titled, "On Developing Thermal Cave Detection Techniques for Earth, the Moon and Mars," in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters.
• Dennis C. Tanner, professor of health sciences, has had a stuttering diagnostic test translated and adapted for use with Turkish children. Tanner's test, Stuttering: Parental Diagnostic Questionnaire, is published by Academic Communication Associates.
  
  Physicians and researchers in Turkey have translated the assessment instrument into the Turkish language, and it will be used to evaluate and treat Turkish children who stutter by addressing parent attitudes and behavior.