Each spring, extraordinary members of the faculty receive prestigious awards supported by the estate of William F. Vilas (1840–1908), a former UW professor and regent. This year, three CDE faculty affiliates were among those honored. Katherine Magnuson (social work) received a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorship, an award recognizing distinguished scholarship and standout efforts in teaching and service. Magnuson’s research focuses on the well-being and development of economically disadvantaged children and their families. Magnuson is also part of a team, along with co-principal investigators Greg Duncan (University of California, Irvine) and Kimberly Noble (Columbia), which recently received funding from NICHD for a project exploring the link between family income and early brain development.
Affiliates Deborah Ehrenthal (obstetrics and gynecology) and Felix Elwert (sociology) were recipients of Vilas Mid-Career Investigator Awards, recognizing research and teaching excellence. In April, the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation also honored Ehrenthal with a Champions in Women’s Health Award. Six awardees were chosen based on their demonstrated dedication to women’s health and improving the lives of Wisconsin women and their families.