2 Center Members Recognized as Distinguished University Professors
Five University of Michigan faculty members have been recognized for their outstanding teaching and service with one of U-M’s most prestigious honors: the Distinguished University Professorship.
The Board of Regents approved the appointments July 20 for Kevin C. Chung, Mark J. Kushner, Bhramar Mukherjee Kon-Well Wang and Patricia J. Wittkopp. They begin Sept. 1, last throughout the recipient’s period of active service at the university and may be retained after retirement. Chung and Mukherjee are faculty members of the Center for Global Health Equity.
Each professorship bears a name determined by the appointed professor in consultation with their dean. Newly appointed Distinguished University Professors are invited to give an inaugural lecture.
The Board of Regents established the Distinguished University Professorships in 1947 to recognize senior faculty members with exceptional scholarly or creative achievements, national and international reputations for academic excellence, and superior records of teaching, mentoring, and service.
William C. Grabb Distinguished University Professor of Surgery
Chung also is the Charles B. G. de Nancrede Professor of Surgery, and professor of surgery and of orthopaedic surgery in the Medical School.
In their recommendation letter to the regents, Laurie McCauley, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, and Michael Solomon, Rackham Graduate School dean and vice provost for academic affairs, said Chung is a renowned researcher whose advancements in plastic surgery have broken ground in the development of patient treatments.
He specializes in the repair and rebuilding of the hand and arm caused by congenital anomalies, trauma, or destructive arthritic conditions.
“Dr. Chung has had an indelible effect on students, residents, fellows and faculty through mentorship, clinical teaching, and in the operating room. . . He introduced evidence-based medicine to the field of plastic surgery and continues to contribute innovative and influential research to the field,” they wrote.
John D. Kalbfleisch Distinguished University Professor of Biostatistics
Mukherjee is also the John D. Kalbfleisch Collegiate Professor of Biostatistics and professor of biostatistics, epidemiology, and global public health in the School of Public Health.
Mukherjee researches the development and application of statistical methods in epidemiology, environmental health, and cancer research. She is known for her pioneering contributions in data integration techniques, and she has done path-breaking work in precision health—the joint analysis of genetics, environment, and real-world healthcare data.
Solomon and McCauley said Mukherjee’s COVID-19 study group that brought together researchers in Michigan and India “captures the collaborative method and social impact that are hallmarks of Professor Mukherjee’s pathbreaking research.”
“A prodigious and prominent researcher, Professor Mukherjee has excelled in teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels . . . and is also distinguished by her career-long efforts to diversify science and welcome more women into its ranks,” they wrote.