Sarlo Family Foundation Outstanding Faculty Award: Gail Burd

UA News Services
May 9, 2000


Gail Burd, professor of molecular and cellular biology, said she was "absolutely delighted" when she was notified that she was the recipient of the Sarlo Family Foundation Outstanding Faculty Award.

"I knew that I was nominated, which is an honor by itself, but to be given the award is really fantastic," she said. "Community outreach is apparently an important factor in the selection process for the award. It is wonderful that the UA values this type of contribution and even better to have the University and the Foundation acknowledge my contributions by selecting me."

Burd will receive a plaque and a $5,000 award. The Sarlo Family Foundation Award recognizes outstanding faculty accomplishments, particularly with a community outreach emphasis.

Burd oversees Science Connections, a program that brings science to area schools where UA students collaborate with K-12 teachers to bring science projects and demonstrations into the classroom. For her work in this area she had previously received the Innovation in Teaching Award from the College of Science as well as the Outstanding Student Organization Advisor Award.

Besides her teaching activities, she maintains an active and well-funded research program by the National Institutes of Health in developmental neuroscience. She has been honored three times as a teacher and mentor by the UA Mortar Board Honor Society. Burd is known for her research on the development of the olfactory system, has published 22 papers detailing her research results, numerous chapters and a book.

"Science Connections is a success because the undergraduates love sharing their enthusiasm for science with children," she said. "All children are essentially scientists as they go about exploring the world around them. Science Connections connects bright, outgoing, motivated undergraduates with Tucson teachers and classrooms to do fun, hands-on science activities.

"One of my goals is to give something back to the community, but a more important goal is to provide a forum for undergraduates to share their excitement for science with children and to learn about the rewards and challenges faced by teachers today."

Michelle Hall-Wallace, assistant professor of geosciences said, "Gail is a model faculty member who demonstrates that it is possible to juggle a full teaching load, maintain an active research program and provide consistent _ interactions with the K-12 educational community to advance science education."

How does Burd do it?
"The short answer is I work a lot," she said. "I enjoy all the aspects of being a faculty member - scholarly activities, teaching, advising and University and national service. I don't want to give anything up and find it hard to say no to work in areas that I perceive to be important."

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Resources for the media

The Sarlo Family sponsors this award that recognizes outstanding faculty accomplishments, particularly with a community outreach emphasis.
The annual award comes with $5,000 award and a plaque.
Watch a video profile of University Distinguished Professor Gail Burd at http://uanews.org/movies/gailburd.html