Two named to UT System’s Shine Academy

Alan Y. Sakaguchi Ph.D.
Alan Y. Sakaguchi Ph.D.
Sara L. Gill, Ph.D.
Sara L. Gill, Ph.D.

Alan Y. Sakaguchi, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, and Sara L. Gill, Ph.D., professor of family and community health systems in the School of Nursing, have been selected as members of the University of Texas Kenneth I.  Shine Academy of Health Science Education.

The academy fosters excellence in education in the health sciences by recognition of outstanding educators and advancement of knowledge and innovation in the field of education. Members represent all UT System health science campuses and represent multiple professional backgrounds. It was named for former UT System executive vice chancellor Kenneth Shine.

“Drs. Sakaguchi and Gill are illustrious faculty members,” said Jacqueline Mok, Ph.D., vice president for academic, faculty and student affairs. “Their dedication to excellence in education is inspiring, and their induction into the Kenneth I. Shine, M.D., Academy of Health Science Education is a testament to their outstanding contributions.”

Alan Y. Sakaguchi, Ph.D.
Alan Y. Sakaguchi, Ph.D.

Dr. Sakaguchi is lecturer and laboratory instructor in gross anatomy and embryology for 1st year medical students and in gross anatomy for the occupational therapy program. His research interests include the role of telomeres in genome stability, cell growth regulation, oncogenesis, and human disease. Dr. Sakaguchi was the recipient of a 2013 Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Dr. Gill has focused her career on practice, service and research on improving breastfeeding incidence, duration and exclusivity, especially in vulnerable populations, to improve the health of mothers and babies. Her publications and presentations have been widely disseminated, both nationally and internationally. She is a Distinguished Teaching Professor and is on the editorial review board for two journals as well as a reviewer of many others. She is director of research and special projects for the International Lactation Consultant Association.

Drs. Sakaguchi and Gill will be inducted into the academy during next February’s 2016 Innovations in Health Science Education Annual Conference in Austin.



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