Medicine, art, business to be addressed by top faculty

Four Distinguished University Professors (DUPs) named during the past two years will present lectures drawing on some of their best work during the winter semester.

Gilman (Photo by Gregory Fox)

Delbanco (Photo by Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services)

Prahalad (Photo by Ameen Howrani)

DUPs have earned the highest honor accorded faculty members by the University. The honorees scheduled to present are as follows:

• Raoul Kopelman (2006), Richard Smalley Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry, Physics, and Applied Physics, will lecture Jan. 16 about his use of nano-Photonic Explorers for Biomedical use via Biologically Localized Embedding, or nano-PEBBLEs (see related story on this page).

• Sid Gilman (2005), William J. Herdman Distinguished University Professor of Neurology, on Jan. 31 will present "Towards a Cure for Alzheimer's Disease." He will describe the changes that occur in the brain in this disease, methods of making the diagnosis—some of which have been developed in the Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center—and the rapid strides being made in treating the disease to slow or stop the progression.

• Nicholas Delbanco (2006), Robert Frost Distinguished University Professor of English Language and Literature, will discuss "As Once in May: A Consideration of Lastingness in Art" on March 27.

• C.K. Prahalad (2005), Paul and Ruth McCracken Distinguished University Professor of Corporate Strategy and International Business, will deliver his lecture April 3. A title for it has not been announced.

The lectures begin at 4 p.m. in the Rackham Amphitheatre. A reception will follow in the Rackham Assembly Hall.

DUPs earn an annual salary supplement of $5,000 and an annual research supplement of $5,000. The duration of the appointment is unlimited, and the title may be retained after retirement.

"The Distinguished University Professors represent, in the best possible way, the path-breaking scholarship of the University of Michigan faculty," Provost Teresa Sullivan says. "We are honored to recognize these faculty members and proud of the contributions they have made to research and teaching in their respective fields."

In 40 years at U-M, Kopelman has developed a world-renowned research program. His research has crossed many disciplines, from theoretical chemistry to molecular engineering to medicine. He is a highly recognized and award-winning pioneer of a number of concepts, experimental techniques, novel materials and new medical diagnostic ideas.

The internationally respected Gilman has illuminated links between neurological disorders and open-heart operations, brain diseases and brain biochemical changes. His work has implications for treating alcoholism, Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders. He also is director of the Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.

Delbanco's contributions to American letters and to the University are voluminous and wide-ranging. Over the course of his career he has written some 23 books in a variety of genres and has served as editor of another half-dozen. He has been a mentor to many and is noted for his works of fiction, including 14 novels and two collections of short stories.

Prahalad is known to management experts as the "guru of strategy." His ideas have commanded respect from the academic, corporate and public sectors. He has written or co-authored three books. His 2004 book, "The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty Through Profit," has helped people to look at the poor as consumers and to view the problems and opportunities in developing countries in a fundamentally different way.

Editor's note: Biographical information was taken from the DUP award citations.