Congratulations to Dr. Yehuda Sharim who has been selected as a recipient of the Underrepresented Scholars Fellowship Program Award from the University of California Humanities Research institute.
The UC Humanities Research Institute facilitates experimental, interdisciplinary humanities scholarship through partnerships, research initiatives and competitive grants.
Yehuda Sharim is a writer, filmmaker, poet, and photographer. His work reflects on the relationship between the quotidian and the poetic to explore new potentialities of the imagination. Oscillating between fiction, improvisation, and real-life events, Sharim’s work offers an intimate portrayal of those who refuse to surrender amidst daily devastation and culminating strife, offering a vision for equality and renewed solidarity in a divisive world. He roots his work firmly within the discourse of imagination, immigration, and displacement, shedding light on the changing constructions of home and belonging. Sharim’s films and images incorporate an ongoing exploration of new forms of storytelling, performative acts, dreams, and the lyrical potential of liberation with a precise aim: social and personal justice. His work also explores site-specificity and engages community members and untrained actors in reimagining new forms of social activism.
Congratulations to SJV PRIME student Alli Gomez, for being named one of two recipients of the 15th annual UC President’s Award for Outstanding Student Leadership.
This honor recognizes Alli’s exceptional leadership in promoting anti-oppression, diversity, equity, and inclusion in both medical education and patient care across UCSF and UCSF’s regional campus at Fresno. The selection committee was particularly impressed with her commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable healthcare environment.
Congratulations to Dr. Rudy Ortiz who has been selected as the 9th recipient of the A. Clifford Barger Underrepresented Minority Mentorship Award.
The A. Clifford Barger Underrepresented Minority Mentorship Award promotes and embodies the Society’s goal of broadening diversity among physiologists by recognizing outstanding mentors who make significant impacts on diversity in physiology. The award recognizes mentoring as a highly valued professional activity that merits a high-level award.
Professor Ortiz's research focuses on the regulation of kidney function and metabolism in a variety of animal models, including seals and dolphins, with the intent that the data will have translative value to clinical medicine. Professor Ortiz is also pursuing studies that address the link between diabetes and obesity with hypertension. From an evolutionary perspective, he is interested in the physiological mechanisms marine-adapted vertebrates use to regulate water and electrolytes during a variety of altered environmental conditions, such as prolonged food deprivation or extended fresh water exposure.
Congratulations to Charah Coleman who was selected for the 2023 Staff Excellence Award in Equity, Justice and Inclusive Excellence.
Charah Coleman, MBA, is the founding coordinator of UC Merced’s Financial Wellness Center. She is an award-winning behavioral finance expert and certified Educator of Applied Compassion. Born in Southern California, she has a passion to make the Greater Central Valley a better place to live.
Congratulations to Dr. Whitney Pirtle who was selected for the 2023-2024 Academic Sentate Award for Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Whitney N. L. Pirtle is an Assistant Professor of Sociology and affiliated with Critical Mixed Race Studies and Public Health. Her expertise explores issues relating to race, identity, inequality, health equity, and Black feminist praxis. She is currently completing a book manuscript that explores the formation and transformation of the “coloured” racial group in post-apartheid South Africa and an edited volume on Black Feminist Sociology.
Are you aware of someone who has achieved recognition for their efforts in raising awareness about and/or making contributions to inclusive cultural practices?
Please send their name and a brief description to nmundwiller@ucmerced.edu.
