Category Archives: Faculty

Auburn’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering names new associate dean


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AUBURN UNIVERSITY – Steve R. Duke has been named associate dean for academics in Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, effective June 15, announced by Christopher B. Roberts, dean of engineering. Duke serves as undergraduate program chair and Alumni Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

In his new role, Duke will be responsible for overseeing the college’s academic programs, ensuring the quality of the engineering curricula and providing counsel to faculty, staff and students on a variety of academic issues.

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Researchers create test to identify super bacteria MRSA in record time


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AUBURN UNIVERSITY – A research team has created a test using a biosensor that will help medical professionals more quickly identify super bacteria like MRSA.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be difficult to diagnose, and quick diagnosis and treatment can mean the difference between life and death, says lead researcher Vitaly Vodyanoy of Auburn University. The biosensor can identify specific bacteria in as little as 10 minutes compared to hours.

Vodyanoy, a professor in Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, said he and his research team created the prototype biosensor as the first step in fighting superbugs like MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a potentially dangerous type of staph bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics, that can cause skin infections and even death.

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Nicholas Giordano named dean of Auburn’s College of Sciences and Mathematics


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Nicholas GiordanoAUBURN UNIVERSITY – Following a national search, Purdue University Professor and Head of the Department of Physics Nicholas Giordano has been named dean of the Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics, effective Aug. 5.

“The experience Dr. Giordano brings from both the classroom and administrative perspectives will be very valuable not only to the college but the university as a whole,” said Auburn Provost Tim Boosinger. “We look forward to the level of leadership he will provide.”

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Auburn pharmacy professors emeriti write book to help health care professionals discover motivational factors behind patient resistance and ambivalence


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AUBURN UNIVERSITY – Taking medications, engaging in healthy lifestyles and quitting harmful habits are vital for good health, but patients often don’t follow the advice of health care professionals and thus put their health at risk.

Two Auburn University professors emeriti address the problem in a new book written to help doctors, nurses, pharmacists – anyone working with patients – assess the patient’s motivation to engage in healthy behaviors, or not engage.

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Auburn University professor: fertilizer facility explosions unlikely in Alabama


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AUBURN UNIVERSITY – A professor at Auburn University says the likelihood of a fertilizer-related incident similar to the fiery West, Texas, fertilizer plant explosion that killed 14 people and injured some 200 others is extremely remote in Alabama. That is because the two products that have been linked to the blast are either not used in Alabama or are extremely rare.

“I don’t see it happening here in Alabama,” said Charles Mitchell, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System agronomy and soils specialist and Auburn University professor of agronomy and soils. “We use neither anhydrous ammonia nor ammonium nitrate to any significant degree anymore.”

Anhydrous ammonia and ammonium nitrate are the two substances that have been investigated as possible causes of the April 17 explosion of the West Fertilizer plant.

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Auburn University’s Barth among all-star panel of Milken Global Conference experts


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AUBURN UNIVERSITY – James R. Barth, the Lowder Eminent Scholar in Finance in Auburn University’s College of Business and Senior Finance Fellow at the Milken Institute, will share his perspective on the U.S. banking crisis during the 16th Annual Milken Global Conference.

The five-day event begins Monday, April 29, in Beverly Hills, Calif., and features a variety of financial and political experts, including businessman Bill Gates, media magnate Rupert Murdoch, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The conference will have an estimated 600 speakers and 3,000 attendees from 60 nations and every state in the U.S.

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