VCU news

Bryan Watts, Ph.D., director of the Center for Conservation Biology

Watts received the Mitchell A. Byrd Award for Scientific Achievement last month.

The award recognizes outstanding scientific achievement and contribution to the knowledge of Virginia's birds. It is named for Mitchell A. Byrd, the legendary conservationist and co-founder of the Center for Conservation Biology.

Watts has produced more than 230 publications, authored nearly 100 papers presented to scientific meetings and been awarded more than 320 grants to support avian research.

Watts was honored at a banquet on May 19 for the joint meeting of the Virginia Society of Ornithology and the Tennessee Ornithological Society held in Johnson City, Tenn.

The Center for Conservation Biology is a partnership between researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University and The College of William & Mary.

David Leong, Chair, Department of Theater, School of the Arts

Leong has been nominated to become a Fellow in the College of Fellows of the American Theatre. Leong, who was nominated by the college’s board of directors, will be inducted as a Fellow in a ceremony on April 21, 2013, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The College of Fellows of the American Theatre promotes and encourages the highest standards of research, writing and creativity in educational and professional theater by honoring distinguished service and notable accomplishment by individuals of recognized national stature. Membership includes actors, critics, designers, directors, playwrights, producers, program administrators, distinguished teachers and scholars associated with the commercial and educational wings of the American theater. Induction into the college is considered one of the highest honors bestowed on educators and professionals of American’s educational and theater community.

Domenic A. Sica, M.D., Professor, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine

Sica has been elected president of the American Society of Hypertension (ASH). He will be president-elect from 2012-2014 and will be president from 2014-2016.  

Established in 1985, ASH is the preeminent society in the United States for all matters that are hypertension-related and provides a forum for the exchange of information among basic scientists, clinical investigators and others involved in the study or management of high blood pressure. The society is dedicated to the advancement of science, prevention and treatment of high blood pressure and its consequences with special emphasis on treating cases of resistant and complex hypertension.  ASH is committed to eliminating hypertension and its consequences through a renewed and vigorous focus on translational research leading to effective treatment strategies for patients.  

Sica also has been involved in countless service and leadership roles in nephrology and clinical pharmacology. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his clinical skills including the Distinguished Clinical Care award from the VCU Department of Medicine, the inaugural Master Clinician Award from the International Society of Hypertension in Blacks and the inaugural Marvin Moser Award from the American Society of Hypertension, an award given to a clinician who has provided outstanding service in the hypertension community in patient care, scholarly activity and research