Leading Edge Researchers
Weinstein and Armstrong are far from the only innovators at UA. Innovation Day is really about recognizing the breadth of innovation across the campus – from digital art techniques used in Hollywood to water policy in arid lands, said Leslie Tolbert, UA’s senior VP for research. “These are the crème de la crème – but there’s more crème there,” Tolbert said. “If we had 50 awards to give out, we’d find 50 amazing people.” Innovation Day recognized five Leading Edge Researchers for their innovations in diverse areas of study: • Eric A Betterton heads the UA Atmospheric Sciences Department and the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences. He is developing software models to forecast the effects of blowing dust – a surprisingly dangerous and common problem in Arizona. His work could help protect millions from the windborne contaminants from mines or other man-made sources, as well as help authorities plan for health advisories or road warnings. • Leslie Gunatilaka is a UA professor of Natural Resources and the Environment and director of the Natural Products Center. He strives to connect academics across the nation with businesses to develop pharmaceuticals or other useful compounds from desert plants. • Larry Head is an associate professor and head of the UA Systems and Industrial Engineering Department. His algorithms led to research that could allow traffic control systems to simultaneously adapt to input from emergency vehicles, public transit, commercial and personal vehicles and pedestrians. Head’s research could lead to safer streets for everyone. • Sharon B. Megdal is the director of the UA Water Resources Research Center, a distinguished outreach professor and the C.W. and Modene Neely Endowed Professor for Excellence in Agriculture and Life Science. Her comparative analysis of water policy is widely recognized. She strives to develop new water policy nuances that recognize the demand of all stakeholders – including the environment – on water supplies. • James T. Schwiegerling is a UA professor of ophthalmology and vision sciences. He is developing artificial lenses that can adapt to eye muscle contraction, much like natural lenses, to allow people to focus near and far after cataract surgery. The UA also recognized the accomplishments of the late Regents’ Professor Michael J. Drake, who joined the UA planetary sciences faculty in 1973 and headed the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and Planetary Sciences Department since 1994. He was the guiding force in the Phoenix Mars Mission and the pending OSIRIS-Rex mission.
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