Provost's Column

Fall 2010

It is once again my pleasure to introduce the latest issue of Hofstra Horizons. The faculty whose work is presented in this issue, as in past issues, are representative of our colleagues and their dedication to the University and their disciplines through research as well as teaching. These articles are one way for us to share their enthusiasm and commitment to the questions and projects they explore.

In the first article presented in this issue, Professor Vern Walker tells us about a laboratory that integrates research, legal education and practice. As director of the Research Laboratory for Law, Logic and Technology, Professor Walker and his colleagues have developed a systematic approach to creating logic models in fact-finding with the goal of increasing accuracy, efficiency and justice in legal decision making. Professor Walker is also working on a joint research project with the International and Comparative Law Research Laboratory of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa, Italy, conducting comparative analyses of medical malpractice decisions in the United States and Italy.

The next featured piece is written by Nanette Wachter, associate professor of chemistry. Her research focuses on two techniques, a diagnostic procedure best known as magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, and a spectroscopic technique known as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Professor Wachter’s current work explores the relationship between hydrogen bonding and electron delocalization. The third article in this issue, by Assistant Professor of Journalism, Media Studies and Public Relations Mary Ann Allison, details the revitalization of one of Long Island’s oldest African American villages, New Cassel. Professor Allison, now in Phase 2 of her research, has documented the results of the first phase, focusing on the methods and reasons for the community’s successful revitalization, as well as the remaining challenges.

The last article, by Deborah Elkis-Abuhoff, assistant professor of counseling, research, special education and rehabilitation, discusses her participation at the Second World Parkinson Congress in Glasgow, Scotland. As an invited speaker, she was asked to present her work in bringing art therapy to Parkinson’s patients. She was also asked to conduct two clay manipulation sessions with clinicians, caregivers, and those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Professor Elkis-Abuhoff and her research team utilize a medical art therapeutic approach that has been shown to reduce negative symptomology in some Parkinson’s patients.

I believe strongly that faculty who distinguish themselves in intellectual endeavors such as these also bring extraordinary enthusiasm and vigor to the classroom. We are enormously proud of their accomplishments.

Sincerely,
Herman A. Berliner, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs