About Vagner Augusto Benedito
Benedito is recognized as the 2022-23 Benedum Distinguished Scholar in Biosciences
and Health Sciences for his significant research contributions to the cutting
edge of plant genetics and physiology. He is described by his colleagues
as a visionary scientist who translates complex technology into practical
applications. For example, Benedito studies trichome development and acyl
sugar accumulation so that tomatoes and other crops susceptible to insects
and diseases can have natural, broad and lasting resistance. Using this
powerful genetic technology to investigate pest resistance pathways helps
to improve plant yields and secure a stable food supply, while also reducing
hunger and greenhouse gas emissions.
Benedito is also working to create tools that increase the availability of
foods with higher levels of healthy antioxidants — anthocyanin in purple
tomato fruits and lycopene in sweet potatoes. Another project investigating
anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation of anti-malarial compounds in
plants has long-term potential for innovative medical applications.
Benedito has an impressive research record with 68 publications in high-impact
journals in his field since arriving at WVU in 2009 and over 5,700 citations
in the scientific literature. This research record translates into an average
of about five publications per year making his publication record higher
than 98 percent of researchers in agricultural plant sciences and 96 percent
of those related to all genetic fields.
In addition, Benedito has established collaborations across WVU, the United
States and with international colleagues in Brazil, China, France, India,
Israel, Mozambique, Nigeria, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, United
Kingdom and South Africa. This extensive network helps develop world-wide
sustainable, low-input agriculture that is good for both people and the
planet.
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About Michael Sherwin
Sherwin is the recipient of the 2022-23 Benedum Distinguished Scholar Award
in the Humanities and the Arts. He is known for his seminal project “Vanishing
Points,” a decade-long research, travel and artistic production that is
both a book and a series of photographs made across 13 states. The photographs
are of significant sites of previous Indigenous American presence, including
sacred landforms, earthworks, documented archaeological sites and contested
battlegrounds — all of which have been overlooked, co-opted and erased.
The monograph was published by the German firm Kehrer Verlag, one of the
leading publishers of fine art photography books, and it was selected by
Hyperallergic as one of the Top 10 Art Books of 2021. Sherwin has received
over 15 internal and external awards and grants for “Vanishing Points.”
The work reached a new level of exposure and acclaim as it was exhibited
in 25 different group exhibitions and seven solo exhibitions across the
United States and showcased in major international book fairs.
The work was also positively reviewed in The Washington Post, Nashville Scene
and The Tennessean, and an interview with Sherwin was published on BuzzFeed
News. Sherwin’s work is now included as part of the permanent collections
at the University of New Mexico, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cincinnati Art
Museum, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Duke University
and the University of Oregon.
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About Weichao Tu
Tu is honored as the 2022-23 Benedum Distinguished Scholar in Physical Science
and Technologies. She is recognized nationally and internationally for
her creative development of new and comprehensive models of radiation belt
particle dynamics. As a space physicist, Tu has focused on understanding,
modeling and predicting the dynamics of energetic “killer” electrons in
the Earth’s radiation belts.
Tu created the first three-dimensional diffusion model that reproduces the
strong enhancement of outer belt electrons during a geomagnetic storm.
The model is the first of its kind to incorporate real-time information
on the physical processes and thus accurately model the radiation belt
enhancement. In addition, Tu has developed the first model to account for
radiation belt dropouts and newly discovered loss processes due to anomalous
geometrics of Earth’s magnetic fields. Understanding these electrons and
processes are crucial in reducing the hazardous radiative environment within
which spacecrafts and communication satellites currently operate.
Tu has been recognized with a National Science Foundation Career Award —
the most prestigious NSF award for early-career faculty, a Cottrell Scholar
Award and the Katherine E. Weimer Award from the American Physical Society
Division of Plasma Physics. She has secured $5.37 million of funding and
authored 25 publications in the past seven years. Tu has also given 32
invited talks and seminars at various international conferences and institutes.
In addition, she created a space science learning module in collaboration
with the West Virginia Science Public Outreach Team, and it has been disseminated
statewide to increase space science knowledge and interest among Appalachian
middle school students.
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