Dr. Ifeolu David, a distinguished physician and scholar at the University of Michigan, offers profound insights into the intersecting realms of vaccine decision-making, health disparities, and promotion in his presentation, “Insights from Sierra Leone.” Having garnered extensive experience from his frontline role during the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, Dr. David delves into the historical and systemic factors that shaped the region’s healthcare foundations and its responses to subsequent health crises like COVID-19. His work adeptly combines clinical expertise, public health knowledge, and community engagement to address critical health disparities. Through his research, he highlights how past experiences with infectious diseases influence current vaccine behaviors, especially among health workers who played pivotal roles during both the Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks.
Drawing on a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, Dr. David uncovers how factors such as brand trust, availability of reliable health information, and educational influences significantly affect vaccine uptake in Sierra Leone. Importantly, he sheds light on the disparities in vaccine distribution, stressing the inequities faced by low-resource settings, even years after global vaccine deployment. The experiences from Sierra Leone emphasize the global responsibility to ensure equitable healthcare access, which is paramount not just for regional welfare but also for global health security. To explore Dr. David’s comprehensive analysis and findings, watch the full presentation on the Michigan Society of Fellows YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8wmxRSFSPM.
We are delighted to introduce the newest members of the prestigious Michigan Society of Fellows. After an extensive selection process from over 860 highly qualified applicants, six outstanding scholars have been chosen to embark on an exciting three-year journey as postdoctoral fellows and non-tenure track assistant professors at the University of Michigan.
These distinguished fellows were selected for their exceptional scholarship and their commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary research. During their tenure at Michigan, they will contribute to the academic community through innovative teaching and pioneering research, embodying the spirit of intellectual exploration that the Society of Fellows stands for.
A Focus on Exceptional Scholarship
The new junior fellows each bring a unique perspective and expertise to their respective fields, which include law, astronomy, history of art, and more. These scholars will engage with diverse research questions, from the microcosms of everyday life in historical contexts to the vast reaches of space. The interdisciplinary nature of their work promises to foster cross-departmental collaborations and enhance the educational experience for students and faculty alike.
The new junior fellows, with their affiliated department at Michigan, their degree-granting institution, and their research project are:
Aabid Allibhai
Law (Michigan Law), Harvard University “Belinda Sutton’s World: Everyday Life, Legal Claims, and Political Activism”
Amber Jacob
Middle East Studies (LSA), New York University “Scientific Knowledge Exchange: Medical Multiculturalism in Graeco-Roman Egypt”
Teresa Paneque-Carreño
Astronomy (LSA), Leiden University “Structure, Chemistry and Turbulence at the Origins of Planets”
Erik Peterson
Physics (LSA), Duke University “Supernova Cosmology: Peculiar Velocities, the Near Infrared, and Dust” Sylvia Ryerson – American Culture (LSA), Yale University “Listening Past Carceral Power in Central Appalachia”
Sylvia Ryerson
American Culture (LSA), Yale University “Listening Past Carceral Power in Central Appalachia”
Phoebe Springstubb
History of Art (LSA), Massachusetts Institute of Technology “The Inhabited Arctic: Architecture, Land, and the Politics of Time in the Bering Strait”
Looking Forward
We warmly welcome these exceptional scholars to the University of Michigan and eagerly anticipate the significant contributions they will make to our vibrant academic community. Their groundbreaking work promises to foster a new era of intellectual growth and interdisciplinary collaboration. With projects ranging from exploring the complexities of historical legal systems to examining the cosmic phenomena that shape our universe, each fellow is poised to make a lasting impact. Stay tuned for the inspiring advancements they are set to achieve in the coming years!
By nurturing a scholarly environment underpinned by curiosity and innovation, the Michigan Society of Fellows continues to lead the way in academic excellence and discovery.
Dr. Anne Kort recently delivered a captivating presentation titled “Bridging Mammalian Locomotion Past and Present” at the University of Michigan, where she is a Second Fellow at the Society of Fellows. With a robust academic background in earth science and geological sciences from the University of Minnesota and Indiana University, Dr. Kort brings her passion for uncovering evolutionary mysteries into focus. Her research journey delves deep into how mammalian movement has evolved over millennia in response to changing environments. By examining how animals like Michigan’s mascot, the Wolverine, navigate their ecosystems, Dr. Kort aims to unravel the intricate dance between an animal’s morphology and its environmental interactions.
Her work employs state-of-the-art tools like GPS tracking and CT scans to explore these evolutionary changes. By studying both ancient fossils and modern movement patterns, Dr. Kort offers insights into how past climates and landscapes influenced the creatures of today. Her approach investigates not only daily locomotion but also the evolutionary lineage over time. During the presentation, she highlighted groundbreaking findings that show how slight morphological adaptations can lead to significant functional diversity within species. For example, her research has explored how variations in limb structure impact the locomotion strategies of different mammal species, providing a window into their adaptive strategies.
Moreover, Dr. Kort discussed the implications of these evolutionary patterns for understanding current biodiversity and conservation efforts. By predicting how animals might continue to adapt, her research holds significance for preserving species facing rapidly changing climates. Her work underscores the importance of integrating paleontological data with modern biology to enrich our understanding of life’s resilience through time.
For those interested in the dynamic interplay of structure and movement across the ages, you can watch the full presentation on the Michigan Society of Fellows YouTube channel.
Congratulations to Sungwon Park, current junior fellow and assistant professor with the School of Nursing, for earning the title of 2024-26 Ewha Global Fellow.
Ewha Womans University awards the fellowship to distinguished scholars from around the world for collaboration in research and education with its faculty members in Seoul, South Korea. Established in 1886, Ewha has grown into one of the world’s largest women’s educational institutes.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Assistant Professor, School of Nursing
The 55th-anniversary celebration of the Michigan Society of Fellows will take place on November 6-7, 2025, in beautiful Ann Arbor, Michigan. This momentous occasion will bring together the esteemed members of our community for a two-day symposium filled with enriching academic presentations and discussions by our alumni junior fellows, as well as joyous reunions by all current and former society members.
In anticipation of this event, David Gerdes, current chair of the Michigan Society of Fellows, interviewed three of our esteemed panelists to highlight their own experiences with the Society.
ANA VIENA Assistant Professor in the Department of Asian & Middle Eastern Studies at the University of North Carolina – Chapel HillSCOTT WATSON Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Syracuse UniversityCÉCILE FROMONT Professor in the Department of History of Art and Department of Architecture at Harvard University
QUESTION: The Society brings together scholars at a pivotal early career stage. What aspects of the fellowship experience were most valuable in helping you develop into the scholar that you are now?
Vinea: For me, the most valuable aspect, or better gift, of the fellowship was the time it offered. Time to think, to experiment, to have doubts, to not rush, to escape for a little while the pressure of a merciless academic market. The fellowship did not turn me into a highly productive scholar, but I hope it made me a more thoughtful one.
Watson: The strongest aspect of the fellowship was the diversity. Getting to share my experiences in physics with others that were mostly in the humanities and getting to know their perspectives on the pursuit of knowledge. My favorite experience was when I gave my talk and was asked, “How does an electron feel?”. What a wonderful question!
Fromont: The Society gave me the gift of time and perspective. Being a fellow allowed me to turn many of the theoretical stones and follow many of the research threads that I had identified in my doctoral research but had not had the opportunity to fully explore. It also encouraged me to be ambitious and daring in the framing of my first book and in later projects. Above all, I benefited at that pivotal moment from the deep intellectual generosity of the University of Michigan community. I am in debt to the many scholars who made time to meet and discuss my research in a set of conversations that were both transformative at the moment and enduring in their impact on who I would become as a scholar.
QUESTION: Looking back, what was the most unexpected or surprising benefit of your fellowship period? This could be intellectual, professional, or personal.
Vinea: The cultivation of an openness to different ways of asking scholarly questions, which defines the fellowship, made me a better anthropologist, I like to think.
Watson: Honestly, at that period in my life I was a bit snobby towards the humanities in general (science was superior). But after my time of interacting with everyone I made great friends (some of which last to this day) and learned I was missing out on a lot that I needed to learn. It was a very special experience.
Fromont: Experiencing Michigan was a completely unexpected gift. I was born and raised in the French Caribbean, and the Great Lakes region was as distant and exotic a place as I could imagine. During my time at the Michigan Society of Fellows, I was awed by the beauty of this part of the world and amazed at the vibrant -and fraught- mix of heritage it hosted. It was humbling as a historian to witness history in the making as Detroit confronted the aftermaths of the financial crisis and the Midwest welcomed the Obama presidency. I will also always carry with me the memory of the most amazing librarians in academia, turquoise water, and white sand beaches, musical concerts, the cracks of ice breaking in the spring on Lake St Clair, Easter eggs hidden in the snow, the best Reuben sandwich I will ever eat, and inexplicably large coffees drinks.
QUESTION: Could you share a specific memory or moment from the Society’s gatherings (whether formal or informal) that exemplifies what makes this intellectual community unique?
Vinea: Honestly, there is no specific moment that comes to mind, but the most memorable moments were the lunch talks. I always thought that was where the magic of transforming minds in dialogue with others happened.
Watson: There is one experience I must share for the sake of honesty (as this was the most memorable), but I don’t know if it will be useful to quote. When I first joined the Society one of the fellows held a dinner party. There were around twelve of us, I was the only man. I kept my mouth shut for most of the night and learned what women go through in academia – and other issues as well. It shaped how I have gone on as a professor and person and attempted to address issues of inclusion, equality, and diversity.
As a separate memory, I could not go without mentioning the mentorship of Don Lopez (Buddhist studies — director of the society during my time). He really shaped my thinking and also what would become my future career. Moreover, he taught me what it means to have strong character and to give to others without wanting anything in return.
Fromont: A main focus of my dissertation had been the analysis of central African cosmology as a religious and political concept. Scott Watson, a physicist, and cosmologist, was in the same fellow class. Ironically, it was our common interest in cosmology that allowed us to size up and consider together the barriers that disciplines, methods, and training build around scholars. On many occasions, we genuinely attempted and largely failed to find commensurability in our deep interest in cosmology as an object of research. These conversations were intellectually thrilling. They also brought me much insight into the culture, aims, and practices of parts of academia very distant from my own, and made me curious about and attentive to the mission, promise, and challenges of universities.
We can’t thank Vinea, Watson, and Fromont enough for taking the time to speak with us and we look forward to hearing more from each of them at our 55th Symposium this November.
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the official YouTube channel for the Michigan Society of Fellows, fondly known as MSF. This exciting new platform is your window into the brilliant minds and groundbreaking research of our distinguished 2nd-year junior fellows.
Join us on a journey through captivating research and insightful discussions. Whether you’re a fellow academic, a curious learner, or someone passionate about new ideas, the MSF YouTube channel is a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration.
Kicking off our channel is the current must-watch video: Paul Kurek’s enlightening talk, “Heavy Load-Bearing Modernity: A Cultural Geology of Albert Speer’s Berlin/Germania.” Dive into Paul’s exploration of architectural vision and cultural history, a perfect example of the innovative and impactful work happening within the Society.
Subscribe today to stay updated on the latest talks and witness firsthand the exceptional talent nurtured by the Michigan Society of Fellows. Don’t miss out on being part of this dynamic and intellectually stimulating community. Explore, engage, and be inspired—the future of research and innovation awaits!
In an illuminating article titled “On Vitality: Chemical Possibilities and Politics of Life Force, Ease, and Everyday Life” published in Anthropological Quarterly, Elizabeth Durham, a Junior Fellow at the University of Michigan’s Society of Fellows, delves into the nuanced interplay between psychopharmaceuticals, alcohol, and the concept of vitality within Sommeil Psychiatric Hospital in Yaoundé, Republic of Cameroon.
Drawing from an extensive 24-month fieldwork period from 2016 to 2019, Durham examines contrasting perspectives on the role of psychopharmaceuticals among hospital staff and patients. While clinicians viewed these medications as means to empower patients to handle everyday responsibilities and contribute to the stability of a nation grappling with the Anglophone Crisis, patients often saw them as instruments for achieving a state of ease similar to that provided by alcohol, especially beer, which is culturally perceived as relaxing and therapeutic.
Durham’s insightful research highlights a critical distinction: staff aspired to use psychopharmaceuticals to reinforce patients’ duties and responsibilities, thus aligning with a broader vision of productivity and national integrity. In contrast, patients incorporated these drugs into their pursuit of everyday ease and relaxation, indicating a desire for a softer, more manageable way of life. This divergence points to an alternative notion of vitality, one that embraces the coexistence of life force and relaxation, action and ease.
By contextualizing the use of psychopharmaceuticals and their societal perceptions, Durham’s work opens a dialogue on how different groups navigate the complexities of mental health, medication, and daily life in a politically charged environment. Her article provides valuable ethnographic insights, challenging conventional understandings of vitality and underscoring the importance of viewing health practices through a culturally and politically informed lens.
We are thrilled to introduce groundbreaking research from Dr. Sungwon Park, a current Michigan Society of Fellows (MSF) postdoctoral fellow, recently published in BMC Public Health. In her insightful article titled “Sedentary Behaviors and Physical Activity of the Working Population Measured by Accelerometry: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” Dr. Park, along with her colleagues, explores how different occupational roles impact sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) using precise accelerometry data.
This comprehensive study analyzes existing literature to reveal significant differences across various job types. Office workers, characterized by prolonged periods seated at desks, exhibit the highest levels of sedentary behavior. Conversely, nurses, whose work involves considerable physical activity, demonstrate the greatest levels of PA. These findings emphasize the inherent health risks and benefits tied to the physical demands of different occupations.
Dr. Park’s research highlights the critical need for targeted workplace interventions. By understanding the specific SB and PA profiles associated with different job types, employers and policymakers can develop more effective strategies to promote healthier lifestyles among employees. Potential interventions could include implementing standing desks and encouraging regular breaks for office workers, or providing sufficient rest periods for physically demanding professions like nursing.
Moreover, the study underscores the importance of using accelerometers in occupational health research. Unlike traditional self-reported data, accelerometry offers objective and detailed insights, reducing biases and enhancing the accuracy of health behavior studies.
For those interested in the intersection of occupational health, public health, and behavioral science, Dr. Park’s article is a crucial read. It advances our understanding of how job types influence health behaviors and sets the stage for future research and practical applications in workplace health promotion.
What is this generation of AI good at and where does it fall short? Ira Flatow, host and producer of Science Friday, talks to Melanie Mitchell, alumni fellow (1990-92) and professor at the Santa Fe Institute, about apps like ChatGPT and Lensa, deep fakes, and other current issues with artificial intelligence. Listen to Science Friday.
Abstract: We are in a modern biodiversity crisis that will restructure community compositions and ecological functions globally. Large mammals, important contributors to ecosystem function, have been affected directly by purposeful extermination and indirectly by climate and land-use changes, yet functional turnover is rarely assessed on a global scale using metrics based on functional traits. Using ecometrics, the study of functional trait distributions and functional turnover, we examine the relationship between vegetation cover and locomotor traits for artiodactyl and carnivoran communities. We show that the ability to detect a functional relationship is strengthened when locomotor traits of both primary consumers (artiodactyls, n = 157 species) and secondary consumers (carnivorans, n = 138 species) are combined into one trophically integrated ecometric model. Overall, locomotor traits of 81% of communities accurately estimate vegetation cover, establishing the advantage of trophically integrated ecometric models over single-group models (58 to 65% correct). We develop an innovative approach within the ecometrics framework, using ecometric anomalies to evaluate mismatches in model estimates and observed values and provide more nuance for understanding relationships between functional traits and vegetation cover. We apply our integrated model to five paleontological sites to illustrate mismatches in the past and today and to demonstrate the utility of the model for paleovegetation interpretations. Observed changes in community traits and their associated vegetations across space and over time demonstrate the strong, rapid effect of environmental filtering on community traits. Ultimately, our trophically integrated ecometric model captures the cascading interactions between taxa, traits, and changing environments.
Citation: Short, Rachel A., Jenny L. McGuire, P. David Polly, and A. Michelle Lawing. “Trophically integrated ecometric models as tools for demonstrating spatial and temporal functional changes in mammal communities.” PNAS, 120 (7) e2201947120. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2201947120.
