Faculty and Staff Notes

Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Shuming Chen co-authored a research article in Nature Chemistry with Professor Eric Meggers' research group at the University of Marburg, Germany. This collaborative experimental and computational study reveals that non-covalent interactions, such as π–π stacking, hold the key to stereocontrol (control over three-dimensional shapes of molecules) in a novel synthesis of chiral α-amino acids catalyzed by ruthenium and iron complexes.

Associate Professor of Comparative Literature Stiliana Milkova was interviewed by Oberlin alumna Bri di Monda for The Smart Set magazine. In the interview, Milkova discusses her recent book Elena Ferrante as World Literature, images of disgust in Maggie Gyllenhaal's film adaptation of Ferrante's novel The Lost Daughter, and the "Carmen Mola" vs. "Elena Ferrante" debate.

Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Chanda Feldman presented and participated in a panel, "Reverberation: The Book Review as Literary (Labor) Labor," at the 2022 Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference held virtually and in Philadelphia, March 23-26.

Professor of Classics Kirk Ormand has published a new article, "Into the Queer Ionisphere," in a volume of essays titled Queer Euripides: Re-Readings in Greek Tragedy, eds. Sarah Olsen and Mario Telo (Bloomsbury, 2022), pp. 120-129. The volume provides queer readings of all nineteen of the Athenian playwright Euripides' extant plays. Ormand's essay discusses the play Ion, examining its manipulation of secret familial and political identities in the service of Athenian citizenship. Queer Euripides is available at finer booksellers everywhere.

Associate Professor of Neuroscience Patrick Simen was on the Space Cave podcast discussing his research for a general audience. 

Professor of Viola Peter Slowik served as judge at the prestigious Johansen International Competition in Washington, D.C., March 22-24. The triennial competition attracts over 150 competitors from all over the globe, competing for nearly $70,000 of prize money.

Professor of East Asian Studies Sheila Miyoshi Jager published a chapter in The Cambridge History of America and the World, a 4-volume collection published in early March by Cambridge University Press as part of their Cambridge Histories series. The four-volume reference work will cover a 500-year period in chronological order: 1500 to 1812, 1812 to 1900, 1900 to 1945, and 1945 to the present. Jager's chapter, "Competing Empires in Asia," appeared in Volume 3 (1900-1945) and discussed the history of the rivalry between the United States and Japan in Asia-Pacific that began at the start of the 20th century and ended with World War II. The entire series along with other Cambridge histories is digitally accessible through the Oberlin College library system under "Cambridge histories."

Professor of Politics Stephen Crowley co-wrote with Hardy Merriman '21 “How the Russian people can end Putin's war” for The Hill. Crowley also participated in a “Ukrainathon,” a 24-hour marathon of expert lectures in support of Ukraine. He gave an extended interview about Russia and Ukraine to the Archipelago, a radio program (and podcast) based in Athens, Greece.

Associate Professor of Africana Studies and Comparative American Studies Yveline Alexis delivered a talk about Womyn Fighters during the U.S. invasion of Ayiti for the University of Buffalo. She also educated young scholars at a middle school about this heavy topic. Finally, she engaged with LatinX/Caribbean scholars for their Haiti Week program as a keynote speaker on the subject of resistance in the Americas.

Gerald Cannon has been appointed associate professor of jazz bass at Oberlin Conservatory after a two year stint as a visiting professor. The multi-talented sideman, leader, composer, recording artist, and painter has taught in master classes across the United States and Europe, and has served on the faculties of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, the New School, Long Island University, the Conservatory of Maastricht in Holland, and the Juilliard School. He performed with the Oberlin Jazz Ensemble and Oberlin's complete roster of jazz faculty in a special performance at Finney Chapel on March 28.