Professors

A UC Irvine philosophy professor known for his work in the philosophy of science and decision theory has been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences. Brian Skyrms, 61, of Laguna Beach, has taught at UCI since 1980 and is a professor in the school of social sciences. Skyrms was one of just 75 people elected this year to the 136-year-old academy. He is already a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, elected in 1994.

A Cal State Northridge Chicano studies professor has been named an American Council on Education fellow for the 1997-98 academic year. Juana Mora, one of 35 fellows selected in this year's national competition, will work with the Los Angeles Community College District chancellor to gain insight into the community college system. Mora served as associate dean of CSUN's College of Humanities last year.

UC Irvine logic and philosophy professor Penelope Maddy has been awarded the 2002 Imre Lakatos Award in Philosophy of Science for her book exploring the fundamental assumptions that underpin the field of mathematics. The award -- for Maddy's book "Naturalism in Mathematics" -- is given by the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Charles Hall, an associate professor of sociology at Cal Lutheran University, has received the university's President's Excellence in Teaching Award. The award recognizes teachers who are held in high esteem by their peers, students and the university community.

Tustin Hospital Medical Center has donated $68,000 worth of cell-culturing and laboratory equipment to Gale Granger, a professor of immunology at UC Irvine, to use for research on brain cancer and ovarian cancer. The gift, which includes centrifuges, incubators and other equipment, will allow UCI researchers to perform in-house culturing of human cancer cells and production of cells for treating cancer patients.

A University of Colorado panel recommended a full investigation into allegations of research misconduct involving a professor who triggered a national outcry for comparing some Sept. 11 victims to Nazi Adolf Eichmann. The faculty committee called for investigating Ward Churchill on seven allegations involving plagiarism, misuse of others' work, and falsification and fabrication, interim Provost Susan Avery said.

The Texas Tech University researcher accused of lying to the FBI about missing vials of plague bacteria repeatedly carried live samples of the germ aboard commercial airliners. Thomas Butler's attorney, Floyd Holder, said the professor at the Lubbock university imported plague about 60 times over the last 30 years, but said his method of transporting the specimens was "absolutely safe."

A Cal State Dominguez Hills professor faces arraignment on charges that he had sex with girls, some as young as 13, whom he had picked up in South Los Angeles rneighborhoods. Brhane Tesfay, 56, a professor at the Carson university's management school, allegedly cruised the streets of southeast Los Angeles, picking up young girls and offering them gifts and money in exchange for sex, Deputy Dist. Atty. Barry Gale said.

A retired sociology professor from UC Davis has been missing for 99 days, and authorities fear that he may have been the victim of foul play. Authorities found blood at the house of John Finley Scott, 72, who was reported missing June 11, said Yolo County Sheriff's Capt. Larry Cecchettini. "Significant physical evidence was found that leads us to believe he sustained injury," Cecchettini said.

Keith Woerpel, assistant professor of chemistry at UC Irvine, has been named one of three 1998 national Chemistry Scholars by the Glaxo-Wellcome pharmaceutical company. The award, accompanied by a two-year, $40,000 research grant, is for exceptional, young faculty in the fields of organic, bioorganic, medicinal or structural chemistry.