Ebola Vaccine and Treatment Pioneer to Direct NEIDL
Nancy J. Sullivan, a nationally renowned infectious diseases expert and chief of the Biodefense Research Section at the federal government’s Vaccine Research Center, has been named the new director of Boston University’s National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL). Opened in 2009, NEIDL is a leading academic research center that allows scientists to study infectious diseases and pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, and Zika, in a protected environment.
Africa Scholar Named Dean of Pardee
Scott Taylor, a scholar of African politics and vice dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion at Georgetown’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, is the new dean of BU’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies. Taylor assumed his new role September 1, succeeding Pardee’s inaugural dean, Adil Najam. The school was founded in 2013 through a $25 million gift from the late Frederick S. Pardee (Questrom’54,’54, Hon.’06), who gave a second $25 million gift in 2018.
New Director for the Hariri Institute for Computing
On July 1, Ioannis Paschalidis became the new director of the Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering. Paschalidis, a College of Engineering Distinguished Professor of Engineering and of computing and data sciences, will oversee the institute’s move into a new, eye-arresting building (the largest on the Charles River Campus), the Center for Computing & Data Sciences. Paschalidis replaces Eric Kolaczyk, who is leaving BU after almost a quarter of a century.
Casey Brown Named Women’s Soccer Head Coach
Brown (CGS’08, COM’10), a former player and assistant coach, returns to BU as women’s soccer head coach. She replaces Nancy Feldman, who retired in April 2022 after a legendary career that included 27 years leading the program.
BU’s 149th Commencement Sizzles
Boston University’s 149th Commencement was held on a sweltering Sunday: May 22, 2022. Despite the heat and humidity, family and friends cheered on the 3,648 undergrads and 4,113 advanced degree candidates. This year marked the first traditional Commencement since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
LAW Clinical Professor Awarded Metcalf Cup and Prize
Constance A. Browne wins the 2022 Metcalf Cup and Prize. She teaches in the Civil Litigation & Justice Program clinic, supervising students as they represent low-income clients in unemployment, disability, housing, and other cases through Greater Boston Legal Services. The winner receives the University’s top honor and $10,000.
CARB-X wins $370 Million to Fight Antibiotic Resistance
CARB-X, a nonprofit global partnership that channels funding and expertise to companies for new antibiotics, vaccines, and rapid diagnostics, is receiving up to $370 million in additional funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and Wellcome, a global charitable foundation.
Men’s Lacrosse Wins First Patriot League Title
For the first time in program history, the men’s lacrosse team wins the Patriot League. The Terriers claim their first trophy just one month shy of the ten-year anniversary of head coach Ryan Polley’s appointment.
Jay Pandolfo Named Men’s Ice Hockey Head Coach
Former Terrier star and Boston Bruin Jay Pandolfo (CAS’96) replaces Albie O’Connell (CAS’99) to become the 13th head coach of the men’s ice hockey program, after less than a year as associate head coach. Pandolfo returned to BU in July 2021 after five seasons as assistant coach with the Boston Bruins.
BU’s New Robotics Lab Fosters Student Innovators
BU undergraduates and master’s students will explore robotics at a new College of Engineering lab. The $8.8 million, 2,000-square-foot Robotics and Autonomous Systems Teaching and Innovation Center, at the site of the former CVS at 730 Commonwealth Ave., will open in summer 2023.
