Anna Harrison, Assistant Professor of Theological Studies, was awarded for her project, "Thousands and Thousands of Lovers": Sense of Community Among the Nuns of Helfta by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Dr. Harrison’s book project examines the spiritual significance of community to the 13th century Cistercian nuns of Helfta, in Saxony. Her project addresses female monastic culture in ways that have been largely ignored and provides insights into the nuns’ sense of community among themselves and between the living and the dead in purgatory. Her work represents a new approach to the study of Helfta literature and medieval women and will contribute to the understanding of the role of the dead in medieval monastic culture, as well as contemporary notions of the spiritual significance of community.

Gary Kuleck, Associate Professor of Biology and Associate Dean for Seaver College of Science and Engineering, was awarded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Science Education Alliance. This project will create a more comprehensive integration of undergraduate research into the lower division curriculum and advance the reformation of the LMU introductory biology curriculum. It will also enrich and expand ongoing research endeavors at the Ballona Wetlands, providing an ideal model to integrate field and molecular disciplines while directly contributing to the community.

Todd Otanicar, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to research and acquire quality and validated measurement data in support of deploying concentrating solar power systems. This work includes, but is not limited to, methods for acquiring renewable resource characterization information using site-specific measurements of solar radiation and meteorological conditions; collecting system performance data; and developing resource data and analysis tools for improving the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of solar energy conversion systems.