Fleming, Stolz and Trun Named Research Hall of Fame Inductees

Drs. Fraser Fleming, John F. Stolz and Nancy Trun are the newest inductees into Duquesne’s Research Hall of Fame, an honor that recognizes outstanding research endeavors through sponsored research funding, research impact and/or funding amounts.

Fleming is an organic chemist whose research focuses on pharmaceuticals, specifically developing efficient new reactions with control over the three-dimensional shape that rapidly assembles molecular fragments. His research has been supported by nearly $2 million in grant awards since 2007. Fleming is currently working on a new book, From Big Bang to Modern Man. He will be inducted and presented with his commemorative card later this week.

Stolz, a professor in the department of biological sciences and director of the Center for Environmental Research and Education, specializes in applied and environmental microbiology. His research in microbiology has attracted nearly $2 million in grant awards since 2008. Stolz has published 69 journal articles, 32 book chapters and author-edited two books. Arrangements are being made to honor Stolz later this semester.

Trun is a microbiologist with interests in how molecules inside the cell communicate, how cells interact with their environment and how students learn science. Her research focus on pedagogy in traditional science courses has been supported by more than $750,000 in grant awards. Trun is currently leading a National Science Foundation-funded team of 12 scientists at nine institutions to test the strengths of the pedagogy. Arrangements are being made to honor Trun later this semester.

Each of the inductees is presented with a set of personalized baseball-style trading cards that highlight their expertise and grant funding. “The ‘baseball’ cards we award with each induction into the Research Hall of Fame give our inductees a personalized gift for students they are recruiting or faculty colleagues,” Dr. Alan Seadler, associate provost for research and technology. “It also offers a very collectable item, which we hope one day might become as valuable as a Babe Ruth card.”