Sharon Kozachik
Occupation: Postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
Achievement: Kozachik has been selected as the 2008 Lucille V. Lukens, R.N., American Nurses Foundation Scholar. She will work in preclinical pain research that may lead to improved sleep, decreased pain and improved quality of life for future cancer patients. The grant carries a $10,00 stipend.
“Through this study, we hope to better understand the complex relationship between pain and sleep, and ultimately improve functioning and quality of life for cancer patients.”
Elizabeth North
Occupation: University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science researcher
Achievement: North received a $75,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to lead a team of scientists in an in-depth study of oysters in the Choptank River. The study will determine when oysters spawn, where their larvae go and whether reefs are the best way to breed oysters to produce surviving larvae.
“By better understanding how the physical conditions of the water interact with the biological characteristics of the oyster, we hope to provide information that will enhance oyster restoration efforts.”
Deborah Gross
Occupation: Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing professor
Achievement: Gross has been awarded the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research President’s Award for 2008. The award, which comes with a $5,000 grant to support Gross’ research, recognizes her commitment to influencing science and mental health practice and providing mentorship to students and junior colleagues.
The grant will “further my work related to improving children’s mental health.”
Rufus Miller
Occupation: Employee for Baltimore County Labor, Licensing & Regulation
Achievement: Miller was nominated for Kudos by his friends at the Rosedale Library, where he has taught a monthly resume-writing class for more than five years. “He gives of his time willingly and with great enthusiasm,” said librarian Stefan Freed. “He has a demeanor that puts people at ease, and his desire to help people is apparent to anyone who attends one of his sessions. He is a heck of a guy.”
Jim Ransom
Occupation: Retired from Westinghouse, where he worked on electronics for space satellites
Achievement: Ransom was nominated for Kudos by his friends at the Towson Library, where he helps with an annual book sale and volunteers year-round by scanning historic photos for Baltimore County library system’s “Legacy” Web site. Jason Domasky, the library’s technology specialist, called Ransom a “jack of all trades” and added: “The volume of his contributions is enormous.”
