John A. Szivek Ph.D
Orthopedics, Surgery
Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
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Dr. John A. Szivek, PhD, senior scientist with the University of Arizona Arthritis Center (www.arthritis.arizona.edu), professor of orthopedic surgery, director of the Orthopaedic Research Laboratory and chair of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Interdisciplinary Program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, has been honored with a Peter W. Likins Inclusive Excellence Award for the 2011-2012 academic year. The award was presented by UA President Eugene Sander at a reception for honorees on Feb. 21.
Given annually by the UA President’s Office, Programs for Inclusive Excellence, the awards recognize UA individuals, teams or organizations that have helped create a diverse campus community through inclusive programs or leadership. The awards are named for President Emeritus Peter Likins, who was the first honoree in 2005. He served as UA president from 1997 to 2006.
Dr. Szivek has mentored more than 75 minority undergraduates, supported by 136 grants. Many of these students have gone on to become scientists and physicians after performing research in his lab. He first realized the students needed more than stipends when one, who was eating only every other day, fainted in his lab. He ensured that no student would go hungry by feeding students while holding lunchtime seminars in report writing, public speaking and article evaluation. He also partnered each student with high performing undergraduates to learn success strategies and fed them at ethnic restaurants to teach them to value diversity and help the students bond. His successes include his first student, a Native American, who now is an orthopedic surgeon in New Mexico, and the “fainting student,” who now has her graduate degree in field biology and is a researcher at Arizona State University.
Dr. Szivek also is an adjunct associate professor in the UA Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, as well as the Physiological Sciences Graduate Interdisciplinary Program and a professor with the UA BIO5 Institute.
Given annually by the UA President’s Office, Programs for Inclusive Excellence, the awards recognize UA individuals, teams or organizations that have helped create a diverse campus community through inclusive programs or leadership. The awards are named for President Emeritus Peter Likins, who was the first honoree in 2005. He served as UA president from 1997 to 2006.
Dr. Szivek has mentored more than 75 minority undergraduates, supported by 136 grants. Many of these students have gone on to become scientists and physicians after performing research in his lab. He first realized the students needed more than stipends when one, who was eating only every other day, fainted in his lab. He ensured that no student would go hungry by feeding students while holding lunchtime seminars in report writing, public speaking and article evaluation. He also partnered each student with high performing undergraduates to learn success strategies and fed them at ethnic restaurants to teach them to value diversity and help the students bond. His successes include his first student, a Native American, who now is an orthopedic surgeon in New Mexico, and the “fainting student,” who now has her graduate degree in field biology and is a researcher at Arizona State University.
Dr. Szivek also is an adjunct associate professor in the UA Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, as well as the Physiological Sciences Graduate Interdisciplinary Program and a professor with the UA BIO5 Institute.
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