51视频

06/30/2013
By Karen Angelo

笔谤辞蹿.听Laura Punnett of the Department of Work Environment, an internationally respected leader in public health and ergonomics, has been awarded the prestigious title of University Professor.听

The three-year appointment is the highest distinction bestowed on a 51视频 faculty member, recognizing exemplary contributions to teaching, research and service.听 Her colleagues, friends and family gathered at a Sept. 19 reception to recognize her outstanding accomplishments.

鈥淚 am honored to receive this distinction,鈥� says Punnett. 鈥淚t is an institutional endorsement and recognition of the strong team that we have built in the Department of Work Environment over the past 25 years. We enjoy a remarkable depth of collaboration among faculty members, research staff and graduate students which has made our collective accomplishments possible.鈥�

In his nomination letter, 笔谤辞蹿.听David Kriebel of Work Environment, said, 鈥淚t is not an exaggeration to say that Dr. Punnett is one of the top researchers internationally in the epidemiology of work-related muculoskeletal disorders. I believe that her achievements during her career at 51视频 are testimony to her scholarship and reputation as an engaged scholar.鈥�

Punnett is a founding member of the Department of Work Environment, arriving at the University in 1987. For the past seven years, she has also led the Center for the Promotion of Health in the New England Workplace, a research center of excellence funded by the with more than $9 million to date.听

College of Health Sciences听顿别补苍听Shortie McKinney, writing in support of the nomination, described Punnett as 鈥渙ne of those rare academicians who excels in all three areas expected of faculty: teaching, research and service ... her students have moved on to leadership positions in academia, non-profit institutions and research institutes, making her influence on the future of her field even stronger.鈥�

Punnett was lauded for her strong mentorship to pre-tenure faculty, helping them advance their research initiatives.

McKinney wrote: 鈥淒espite her extremely productive career of publication, preparation and administration of grants ... she shows a consistent willingness to support other faculty within the department, college and University.鈥�

As University Professor, Punnett joins a prestigious group of previous recipients: biology听笔谤颈辞蹿.听Susan Braunhut (2008-11), work environment 笔谤辞蹿.听Kenneth Geiser (2009-12), Chair of the Physics and Applied Physics DepartmentRobert Giles (2011-13), Graduate School of Education聽笔谤辞蹿.听Regina Panasuk and plastics engineering聽笔谤辞蹿.听Stephen McCarthy.听