For the Record - Week of Jan. 30, 2026

Publication Date

Hasan Al Ba'ba'a, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, recently attended the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE) 2025, held November 16–20, 2025, in Memphis, TN. During the conference, Al Ba'ba'a served as one of the Chairs for Track 18, titled "ASME International Undergraduate Research and Design Expo." This track is specifically designed for undergraduate students who want to present their work to a wider research community. In his capacity as Chair, Al Ba'ba'a oversaw the track’s poster competition, evaluating student work based on presentation quality, research depth, and impact on the engineering community. This poster competition provided a platform for undergraduates to receive constructive feedback essential for their professional development. Following the success of the program, Al Ba'ba'a has been invited to return as a Chair for the same track at ASME IMECE 2026, scheduled for November 8–12, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Beyond chairing Track 18, Al Ba'ba'a also delivered a technical presentation titled "Effect of Alternating Willis Coupling Signs on Longitudinal Waves in Uniform Elastic Media," contributing new insights into wave propagation mechanics.

Charles Batson, the Florence B. Sherwood Professor Of History & Culture, was recently mentioned in two articles related to his work in the circus studies:

Lewis Davis, the Thomas Armstrong Professor of Economics, was interviewed by Faculti about his work showing that individualism supports LGBT rights. Watch the interview on the Faculti website.

Jennifer Fredricks, professor of psychology, was invited to serve on the Society for the Teaching of Psychology Presidential Task Force to Promote Faculty Wellness and Prevent Burnout.

Cheikh Ndiaye, professor of French and Francophone Studies, was awarded the 2025 New York African Studies Association (NYASA) Book Award in November for his recently published book on Ahmadu Bamba. This award recognizes “consistently superior achievement in publication, research, and scholarship […], advancing the frontiers of knowledge on Africa, the African Diaspora, and the global human condition.”

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