Great people make great places. At UNLV, our success is driven by people who dedicate their careers to making our community better. And they're not just in classrooms and labs; they traverse lakes, mountains and hot springs to find answers to issues affecting our economy, our environment, and our health.
Below are news stories that profile UNLV faculty who have made an impact in the community this year.
One to Watch
Microbiologist Brian Hedlund has made a career out of exploring what exists in the depths of Nevada's hot springs - from the basic biology of microbes to the potential applications for renewable energy. He was named one of Las Vegas Weekly's "12 to Watch" in 2012.
Now That's Intriguing
UNLV community health sciences professor Shawn Gerstenberger has his hands full. Managing the Nevada Healthy Homes Partnership; ridding turf, candy, cookware and even hot sauce from contaminants; and working with a host of partners to solve Lake Mead's quagga mussel conundrum. All this made Gerstenberger one of Vegas Seven Magazine's "Intriguing People" of 2012.
Vegas as a Research Lab
International Gaming Institute director Bo Bernhard sees Las Vegas as the ultimate living laboratory to study what motivates gambler. The Las Vegas Review-Journal profiled Bernhard for its "Nevadan at Work" series.
Something to Smile About
Since arriving at UNLV in 2007, Dental School dean Karen West has turned the once-struggling school into a quality program known for successful grads and community service. The school has one of the largest service programs in the country and annually receives more than 2,000 applications for less than 100 spots.
Hot Research
Environmental researcher Scott Abella has made it his life's work to understand how fires occur in Western forests. With stunning frequency they threaten communities, scar national forests, and wreak havoc across our landscape. Abella has devised ways to prevent them and championed programs to help forests recover. His work earned him the title of "Best Local Researcher" in Vegas Seven Magazine.
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