November 14, 2005

• Q&A with Dr. Milla Boschung
  Dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences
• Navigating Research Rules? Myles Offers Assistance
• Professor Receives Third National Honor for Aging Research
• Worth Quoting

Q&A with Dr. Milla Boschung
Dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences

Dr. Milla Boschung became dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences this past spring when former dean, Dr. Judy Bonner, was named UA provost and academic vice-president. Boschung joined the faculty in 1977 as an instructor of consumer sciences; was named assistant professor in 1984, department chair in 1990, assistant dean in 1993, and associate dean in 2004. She was instrumental in developing the Personal Financial Planning major and acquiring funds to support the HES Computer Lab. A 1994 recipient of the UA National Alumni Association’s Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Awards, Boschung just completed a term on the Tuscaloosa City School Board of Education.

Q:What is the College of Human Environmental Sciences?

A: The mission of the College of Human Environmental Sciences is to provide strong undergraduate and graduate programs in the field of human environmental sciences. Further, the College strives to contribute to the generation of new knowledge in the field and to the application of this knowledge to improving the quality of life of individuals, families and communities.

Q: What are some of the things you’ve already set in motion or accomplished as dean?

A: Dr. Bonner laid such a strong foundation for this college, so I’m really building on the strengths that we already had in place. I’m pleased that our enrollment continues to increase. This is the 20th straight year that we have had an enrollment increase at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. We have moved into our new facility, the Child Development Research Center – a wonderful accomplishment. It really is a premiere facility. There really is no other building in the nation that brings together research, teaching and service with sophisticated electronics for observational research. Not only is the building complete, but we have the children’s programs operational, and we added 30 additional children in October. We have recently been reaccredited by The American Association for Family Consumer Sciences and The American Dietetic Association. We have developed a leadership board for HES. Also, HES is reaching out to Alabama, to the nation, and to the world through its distance education programs such as eArmyU.

Q: What does the College of Human Environmental Sciences have to offer incoming students?

A: We say to our students that once they come to HES that it’s a relationship for life. We do our very best to provide opportunities for them in terms of academics and leadership. We have futuristic majors. The faculty spend a great deal of time in environmental scanning—looking to the future so that we’re preparing our students to meet the challenges. We also offer faculty mentoring which is so important.

Q: What accomplishments are you most proud of?

A: I am most proud of our faculty. They are focused – strong in teaching, research and service. They stay in touch with their professions and are very committed to technology. We were one of the first buildings on campus to go wireless and one of the first to offer degree programs via distance education. It is my honor to work with the scholars, students and alumni of the College of Human Environmental Sciences.

Navigating Research Rules? Myles Offers Assistance

For the first time in its history, the University entered a new academic year with an on campus research compliance officer in place. Carpantato “Tanta” Myles joined UA in January and is embarking on her first fall semester at the Capstone.

Myles joined UA from UAB, where she had worked since 1990, most recently as a research associate within that campus’ department of anesthesiology. During a recent three-year stint, Myles was also jointly appointed as a special assistant to the vice president for research at UAB, where she directed administration and operational support services and programs.

“This position is essential to the growth of The University of Alabama,” said Dr. Marianne Woods, associate vice president for research. “As we increase our federal research dollars, we have more and more standards and regulations to follow. We feel very fortunate to have Tanta.”

As part of UA’s Office for Sponsored Programs, Myles is a member of UA’s Institutional Review Board, chaired by Woods, and offers administrative support to that board. The IRB is designed to ensure the safe and ethical treatment of humans as subjects in research, public service, and training programs, following federal and university polices.

Holding a Bachelor of Science from UAB and a master’s in management from Troy University-Montgomery, Myles said one of the new facets she’s most pleased with is the implementation of online IRB training for researchers conducting both medical and non-medical-related research. Future plans include developing an online, password-protected system enabling researchers to check on the status of projects requiring IRB approval. “They would be able to see where in the process their proposal is at any given time.”

Professor Receives Third National Honor for Aging Research

Dr. Louis Burgio, distinguished research professor in psychology and director of the Center for Mental Health and Aging at UA, has been named the 2005 recipient of the “Outstanding Contributions to Psychology in Long Term Care” award by the Psychologists in Long Term Care organization.

This is the third national recognition for Burgio in three months for his research in the areas on aging, dementia and long-term care. In July he received the M. Powell Lawton award, one of the highest awards given nationally for outstanding contributions in the area of mentorship and innovations in applied gerontology; and was awarded Fellow status by the Gerontological Society of America, recognition by peers for outstanding contributions to the field of gerontology.

Psychologists in Long Term Care, founded in 1983, is a network of psychologists and other professionals dedicated to providing high quality mental health services in long-term care settings.

Worth Quoting

“My advice is, buy sweaters, warm pants and heavy socks.” ” Dr. Peter Clark, associate professor of chemical and biological engineering, about rising natural gas prices this winter, as quoted in the Birmingham Business Journal.

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