From writing instruction to brain development and English as a second language, the scholars chosen for the 2005 Academic Federation Awards for Excellence reflect the innovation and dedication of faculty on campus.

John Stenzel and Ellen Lange, the winners of the Academic Federation awards for Excellence in Teaching, and Mari Golub, the recipient of the Academic Federation Award for Excellence in Research, were recognized at a May 17 reception in the Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center. Each will receive a $500 award for their contributions.

Teaching awards honor demonstrated classroom excellence by lecturers, including use of innovative teaching techniques and ability to stimulate learning in students. The research prize honors work that plays an important role in enhancing the campus's research reputation.

John Stenzel

An instructor in the University Writing Program, Stenzel has been teaching as an English lecturer since 1990 and has led such courses in legal writing, Shakespeare for non-majors, Shakespeare — early works, history of the English language, technical writing, and the masterpieces of British Literature from 1660 to 1830. He is currently on the Academic Computing Coordinating Council for UC Davis, and has displayed leadership in his efforts to apply technology to technical writing instruction.

"He's a real pragmatist when it comes to writing," wrote English lecturer Eric James Schroeder in his nomination of Stenzel. "If he doesn't think a particular innovation is going to work in the classroom, he'll be the first person to speak out about it."

Shroeder said Stenzel's "thoughtfulness regarding his pedagogy" and the fact he is "always trying something out new" characterizes a teaching approach that is student-centered.

"He never turns any student away, arranging as many extra office hours in a week as need might determine," noted Shroeder.

Ellen Lange

A lecturer in linguistics, Lange has taught in the English as a Second Language Program and led efforts to develop computer-assisted grammar modules tailored for linguistics classes. She was among the first instructors to use PowerPoint for grammar courses, and was the first "Web master" in the ESL program. All of this has been done with a deep passion for the education of her students, say her supporters.

"Over and over again, students praise her patience, her organization, and her helpfulness," linguistics faculty members Lenora Timm and John Samsel stated in their nominations. "She has improved the language skills of students from many cultural backgrounds, with sensitivity to their cultural and individual styles."

Timm and Samsel added that Lange co-authored a text, "Writing Clearly: An Editing Guide," due to her perception that high-level ESL composition instruction needed better teaching materials.

Of the guide, Timm and Samsel said, "This has been a very successful venture and its success has increased the profile of the ESL program outside the university."

Mari Golub

An adjunct professor of internal medicine, Golub has produced an extensive list of published research papers and spoken at various conferences in the issue of environmental toxins and brain development. Since the mid-1990s, Golub's research has focused on the effects of trace elements on brain development in adolescents, and has studied how the potential estrogenic effects of pesticides may affect puberty.

In addition to her campus duties, she serves as a staff toxicologist for the state Department of Health Services and Cal EPA.

"Golub is a major contributor to a very important area of research — the effect of environmental contaminants on human brain development," wrote psychology lecturer Barbara Sommer in her support for Golub's award.

Sommer added, "In addition, she has served on the panels of two government agencies concerned with risks to human health and reproduction. And she continues her service in the important area of trace metal risk."