In the News: Comets Making Headlines
By: Jeff Joiner | September 13, 2023
Long known for engineering, science and mathematics, UT Dallas continues to grow its reputation in the arts and humanities. This edition of Comets Making Headlines includes a former humanities major who now is a nationally known director of plays. Other graduates in the news include a research scientist and leaders in their fields of business and medicine.
Akin Babatunde MA’08 was featured this summer in Dallas Voice for directing the play “Chicken and Biscuits” produced by the Uptown Players in Dallas. The theater director, actor and college lecturer directed the play in his first production for the Uptown Players, though he has worked on several theater performances with other companies in Dallas. The play, performed in August, is about an African American family gathering for a funeral. Babatunde told the Dallas Voice the setting reminded him of his master’s degree thesis at UTD about African American mourning processes and traditions.
UT Dallas researcher Yingyu Huang PhD’20 joined fellow UTD scientists who recently discovered a previously unknown “housekeeping” process in kidney cells that rejuvenate themselves and remain functioning and healthy. In research featured in a UT Dallas News Center story, Huang and Dr. Jie Zheng and Dr. Mengxiao Yu co-authored a paper published in Nature Nanotechnology describing the process in kidney cells that is fundamentally different than how other bodily tissues are thought to regenerate.
Henry Stern BS’11 has been named to the 40 Under 40 list of the national trade publication Furniture Today for his work as a merchandising executive for Rooms To Go Furniture in Dallas. “At every stop in his young career, (Stern) has won accolades from furniture industry co-workers and competitors alike … His ability to quickly grasp complex issues and support everyone in the company are among his many attributes.” Prior to joining Rooms To Go, Stern was vice president of national accounts at upholstery producer Cheers/Manwah and worked for upholstery resource Nice Link Home Furnishings as vice president of U.S. operations.
Dr. Frank Lavora MS’16 has been profiled in BizTimes, a Milwaukee business publication, for his service as a physician. Lavora began his career as a doctor of podiatric medicine and surgery in a group practice and moved up to his current position as chief medical officer for Aurora Health Care’s Greater Milwaukee Patient Service Area and interim president for Aurora St. Luke’s South Shore Hospital.