Arthur A. Santilli (CAS’51) of Havertown, Pa., writes that he and three former colleagues received the 2006 Thomas A. Edison Patent Award in Basking Ridge, N.J., from the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, for inventing the antiosteoporosis drug bazedoxifene (BZA). Arthur writes that BZA was launched by Pfizer on the European and Japanese markets as Conbriza and Viviant, respectively. In 2014, the drug was paired with conjugated estrogens and launched in the US as Duavee and in Europe as Duavive. Arthur adds that a team at Duke University found BZA is able to stop the growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells in both cellular and animal models, and is also effective against cancer cells that are resistant to currently prescribed medications. Arthur can be reached at artsantilli@comcast.net.
David Hershenson (GRS’60,’64) of Brookline, Mass., published Accessible Retirement: A Guide for Persons with Disabilities (Harvard Book Store Printed On Paige, 2016). David is a professor emeritus at the University of Maryland and a senior lecturer in the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Rehabilitation Counseling program.
Robert Trager (CAS’61) of Roslyn, N.Y., is the 68th president of the Nassau County Dental Society. He writes scholarly dental publications, is an active member of the American Dental Association, and was previously president of the Queens County Dental Society. Robert has general dentistry practices in both JFK and LaGuardia Airports, providing oral healthcare to airport employees and the public.
Peter G. Levine (CAS’62, SED’64) of Delray Beach, Fla., is president of the board of directors of the Jewish Association of Residential Care Florida, a nonsectarian organization in Boca Raton that provides group homes, apartments, and vocational training for adults with developmental disabilities.
Stephen Cohen (CAS’68) of Rockville, Md., is a senior fellow at the Center for Excellence in Survey Research at NORC at the University of Chicago. NORC, which was formerly called the National Opinion Research Center, is a social research organization headquartered at UChicago, with offices in several other locations in the United States, including Bethesda, Md. Previously, Stephen was chief statistician at the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics at the National Science Foundation.
Linda H. Feinberg (CAS’68) of Manchester, N.H., exhibited her paintings at Provident Bank in Bedford, N.H., through December 2016.
Sheldon Krimsky (GRS’68,’70) of Cambridge, Mass., is a professor of urban and environmental policy and planning at Tufts University, and an adjunct professor in Tufts’ public health and community medicine department. Sheldon is the author of Stem Cell Dialogues: A Philosophical and Scientific Inquiry Into Medical Frontiers (Columbia University Press, 2015).
Jeffrey Woolf (GRS’69, LAW’74) of Winchester, Mass., became an assistant bar counsel at the Office of the Bar Counsel in Boston in 2006, after many years in private practice. Since 2012, he has taught a seminar at BU School of Law on selected topics in legal ethics. In 2013, he became an assistant general counsel to the Board of Bar Overseers, and in 2015 coauthored an article for the Boston Bar Journal on the impact of the revised rules of professional conduct on confidentiality. Jeffrey also joined the LAW Dean’s Advisory Board in 2015. He and his wife are major donors to LAW and are members of BU’s Loyalty Society.
Jon Abramson (CAS’72) of Winston-Salem, N.C., is a professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. In September 2016, he received the Distinguished Faculty Award from the Wake Forest School of Medicine Medical Alumni Association.
Harry Bosk (DGE’72, CAS’75) of Parkville, Md., had his first solo photography show at Station North Arts Cafe in Baltimore, and his print Vagrant and Vacant won second place in a juried competition at Full Circle Gallery in Baltimore. Harry writes, “Although I graduated from BU with a degree in English, I had originally intended to major in photojournalism. After a more than 30-year career in public relations, I started a photography business and my photos have been published in the Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Magazine, and Baltimore Business Journal.”
Peter H. Bloom (CAS’72) of Somerville, Mass., sends news of recent concerts across the East Coast. In September 2016, Peter and the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra opened the band’s 44th season at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston with “North by Northeast,” a new composition by music director Mark Harvey (STH’71, GRS’83). Peter (renaissance flutes) and Ensemble Chaconne performed Music of Shakespeare’s Plays in diverse venues during 2016, as the world marked the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Contact Peter at www.americasmusicworks.com.
Robert Adelson (CAS’74) of Newton, Mass., received the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers USA (IEEE–USA) professional achievement award for his “extreme dedication and contributions to the IEEE entrepreneurial community” at a ceremony at the national meeting of IEEE–USA in Las Vegas, Nev. Robert has been on the board of the IEEE Boston Entrepreneurs’ Network since 2002 and chair of the group for four terms since 2009. He is a business, tax, and contracts attorney and partner at the Boston law firm Engel & Schultz. Robert lives with his wife and two children. Email him at radelson@engelschultz.com.
Ellen LaFleche (CAS’75) of Northampton, Mass., recently won the Tor House Poetry Prize for her piece “Before the sickness, when,” about the death of her husband from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Ron Romano (CAS’80) of Portland, Maine, published Early Gravestones in Southern Maine: The Genius of Bartlett Adams (The History Press, 2016). “I wrote the book after spending two years conducting surveys of more than 200 early burial grounds in southern Maine and researching Bartlett Adams’ life,” Ron writes.
Madeline Di Nonno (CAS’82) of Los Angeles, Calif., was elected the new chair of the Television Academy Foundation’s board of directors. Di Nonno, chief executive officer of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, will guide and expand the foundation’s mission to identify, advance, and empower future television leaders.
Sandra Dorsainvil (CAS’84, SAR’85) of Natick, Mass., a reverend, self-published the devotional journal Walk With Generosity. The booklet is “a 40-day reflective journey with God, providing an opportunity to put our faith in action whether it be in reflection, journaling, or giving of ourselves and resources,” Sandra writes. Email her at s_dorsainvil@yahoo.com.
Karen Maffeo Creamer (CAS’84) of Wells, Maine, published her first novel, One Brave Thing (CreateSpace, 2016), about a young woman whose dating life starts off on the wrong foot. Since 2010, Karen has written a novel annually in November as part of National Novel Writing Month. One Brave Thing, she writes, is a product of this practice. The book is available on Amazon. Karen celebrated 25 years of marriage to her husband, Bill, in June 2016, and she is the proud mother of Anthony and Isabelle. She is a registered nurse health coach and a Reiki master. Karen also blogs at www.kwrites.com, www.karencoaches.com, and www.wellsbeach-blog.wordpress.com. Connect with Karen at kmcwrites@gmail.com.
Robert Levenson (CAS’86) of Arlington, Va., is the principal of a boutique tax law outfit, BlackAcre 1031 Exchange Services. Since graduating from BU, Robert has been a real estate investor and broker, a banker, an attorney (he earned a JD from American University in 1994), and an inventor. Robert has five children and stepchildren ages 22, 19, 18, 16, and 9. Email him at robert@blackacre1031.com.
Sergio Torres (CAS’86, GRS’88) of Centreville, Va., earned a master’s in military studies from the Marine Corps University Command and Staff College in 2016. His last assignment with the US Department of State was at the US embassy in Tripoli, Libya, where he was involved in the embassy’s evacuation in July 2014. He writes that he will most likely be staying in D.C. for a while, working at the Department of State. Classmates can contact Sergio at sergio@kimset.com.
Andy Mozina (GRS’90) of Kalamazoo, Mich., published his debut novel, Contrary Motion (Spiegel & Grau, 2016), about a divorced Chicago harpist taking a symphony audition. Learn more at www.andymozina.com.
Willy Conley (GRS’91) of Hanover, Md., wrote the novel The Deaf Heart (Gallaudet University Press, 2015). He is a professor in the theater department at Gallaudet University, where he has taught for more than 20 years.
George R. DeMeo II (CGS’89, CAS’91) of Northville, Mich., was promoted to managing assistant prosecuting attorney in charge of the family support division of the Genesee County prosecutor’s office in Flint, Mich. He was also recently certified as a Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards instructor for Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Abuse. He writes that he is enjoying teaching law enforcement personnel locally and training prosecutors nationally.
Dean MacKay (CAS’91) of Winthrop, Maine, self-published his first photography coffee-table book, 50 Couches in 50 Nights (Blurb, 2016), “which features photos of the 50 different couches I slept on in 50 consecutive nights, after challenging circumstances led me to give up my apartment during the Great Recession.” Learn more about the book at www.50Couchesin50Nights.com, or email Dean at dean@50Couchesin50Nights.com.
Monica Bhatia (CAS’92) of New York, N.Y., directs the stem cell transplant program at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center. She researches stem cell transplantation for patients with sickle cell disease and has helped develop a reduced toxicity conditioning regimen, where the cure rates at Columbia University Medical Center are 100 percent in those with sibling donors. Since only about 15 percent of patients with sickle cell disease have a matched sibling donor, Monica is also concentrating on unrelated donor transplants. Monica is chair of the new Sickle Cell Transplant Alliance for Research, a multicenter organization that seeks to improve the cure and make it available to more children and young adults with sickle cell disease.
Lisa Faille (CAS’93) of Barrington, R.I., is an associate professor at Argosy University. For the past six years, she has been a forensic psychology instructor in Argosy’s master’s program, as well as a chair for dissertation students in the counseling psychology doctoral program. She writes that she “continues to find her nontraditional students inspiring beyond measure and continues to enjoy providing educational opportunities to determined individuals who otherwise might not have access to them.” Email Lisa at lfaille@argosy.edu.
DJ Jeyaram (CAS’93) of Snellville, Ga., made judicial history on September 21, 2016, when he was appointed Georgia’s first South Asian American judge in Gwinnett County. In addition to this appointment as a part-time magistrate judge, DJ has his own practice, Jeyaram & Associates, which provides legal services to a wide variety of healthcare providers, including hospitals, physicians, and nursing homes. DJ concentrates in healthcare regulatory matters and has been recognized in Georgia’s Legal Leaders as a top-rated lawyer. Contact DJ at DJ@Jeylaw.com.
Erik Trump (GRS’96) of Midland, Mich., won the Franc A. Landee Teaching Excellence Award at Saginaw Valley State University. Erik is a professor of political science.
Andrea Brown-White (CAS’97) of Washington, D.C., published Diary of a Pregnant Lady (AuthorHouse, 2016), a humorous book about pregnancy.
Eric McHenry (GRS’97) of Lawrence, Kans., published a collection of poetry, Odd Evening (Waywiser Press, 2016), which has garnered praise from writers Sherman Alexie, Ilya Kaminsky, and Linda Gregerson.
Stephen Scott Whitaker (GRS’97) of Onley, Va., published a book of poetry, All My Rowdy Friends (PunksWritePoemsPress, 2016), which was nominated in the poetry category for the 13th USA Best Book Awards.
Michelle Chalfoun (GRS’99) of Glen Cove, N.Y., published The Treasure of Maria Mamoun (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2016), a novel about a girl from the Bronx, a dog, a troublemaker, a stolen sailboat, a treasure map, and a life-changing adventure on Martha’s Vineyard. This is Michelle’s third novel, and her first for middle-grade readers.
James Housefield (GRS’99) of Davis, Calif., published his book Playing with Earth and Sky: Astronomy, Geography, and the Art of Marcel Duchamp (Dartmouth College Press, 2016).
Randy Boyagoda (GRS’01,’05) of Toronto, Canada, was officially installed as the principal and vice president of the University of St. Michael’s College (USMC) on October 21, 2016. In his new position, Randy will be the academic head of USMC’s undergraduate division.
Rebeka Fergusson-Lutz (CAS’01) of Dansville, N.Y., published her first book, In the Valley of Birds (CreateSpace, 2016), a collection of short stories about life in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, the so-called “murder capital of the world.” She wrote the book while teaching at an international school in San Pedro Sula for two years. The book is available in print and digital formats on Amazon. Email Rebeka at rebekafergussonlutz@gmail.com.
Andrew Ginsburg (CGS’99, CAS’01) of New York, N.Y., has published his first book, Pumping Irony: How to Build Muscle, Lose Weight, and Have the Last Laugh (Skyhorse Publishing, 2017). Andrew, a stand-up comedian and personal trainer, writes that “the book combines the two for a fun, prescriptive strategy to get in great shape.” Find out more at www.andrewginsburg.com
J. D. Daniels (GRS’03) of Cambridge, Mass., received a 2016 Whiting Award. Given annually to 10 emerging writers, the $50,000 award is “based on early accomplishment and promise of great work to come.” Poet Elizabeth Alexander (GRS’87) gave the keynote address at the award ceremony, held at the New York Historical Society.
James DiReda (GRS’03) of Sterling, Mass., coauthored The East Side of Addiction (DGM Publishing, 2016), a book “designed to offer understanding, support, and hope to individuals and families affected by drug addiction.” It’s the story of how drug addiction ravaged a working-class immigrant enclave in Worcester, Mass., and a close-knit group of young friends who lived there. Classmates can email James at jdireda@annamaria.edu.
Kenneth E. Burdon (CAS’04, LAW’07) of Natick, Mass., was promoted to counsel at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Affiliates.
Okwuchi Anyanwu (CAS’05) of Bronx, N.Y., is a producer with NY1 News, a 24-hour news station in New York’s five boroughs. In March 2016, she received an Emmy Award for a 30-second promo for NY1’s Spanish-language sister station NY1 Noticias.
Dan Salem (CAS’05) of Los Angeles, Calif., is a writer, an actor, a director, and a producer who has self-published his first novel, Starbeans: A Coffee Conspiracy. The satirical story is set in Boston and follows protagonist Matthew Norton as he unwittingly discovers a massive CIA secret linked to his favorite coffee company. The novel is available exclusively on Amazon Kindle. Connect with Dan and learn more about his onscreen and written works at www.suchAsquare.com.
Joseph M. Bagley (CAS’06) of Boston, Mass., published A History of Boston in 50 Artifacts (University Press of New England, 2016). Each artifact in the book is presented in full color, with a description of the item’s significance to the history of the city. Joseph is Boston’s city archaeologist.
Mary Tedesco (CAS’06) of Gloucester, Mass., is cohost of the PBS television series Genealogy Roadshow, whose third season premiered on May 17, 2016. She writes that Genealogy Roadshow “is part detective story and part emotional journey, and combines history and science to uncover fascinating stories of diverse Americans.” Mary is also founder and lead researcher at Origins Italy, a full-service Italian genealogical research firm.
Alessandra Cappellino (CAS’08, COM’08, GRS’10) of New York, N.Y., married Alexander Simkin in Island Park, N.Y., on July 9, 2016. Lisa Zimmermann (COM’08) was the maid of honor, and other BU alumni were in attendance. Alessandra is the director of global client knowledge management and a senior account supervisor focusing on the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry for Edelman in New York.
Basil Considine (STH’06, GRS’13) of Minneapolis, Minn., created and musically directed Game of Thrones: The Musical, a profeminist, puppet-filled retelling of the hit HBO television series in the style of Sesame Street. The critically acclaimed show premiered at the 2016 Minnesota Fringe Festival, earning Critic’s Pick and Best of Fringe awards.
Leah Turner (CAS’16) of Glenside, Pa., is serving in Tonga in the United States Peace Corps, through which she is teaching English to elementary and middle school students.
