Staff Spotlight

  1. December 4, 2017

    Glass-washer turned lab manager shares tale of triumph

    Beginning as a glass-washer at the Life Sciences Institute in 2007, Ulla Lilienthal never would have guessed that 10 years later she would work as a lab manager in LSI.

  2. November 13, 2017

    Data architect is world champion in Ultimate Frisbee

    For Richard Eikstadt, a chance encounter with a classmate during his freshman year of college kick-started his journey in the world of professional sports. Eikstadt, a senior data architect in the Pediatric-Nephrology Unit of the Medical School, now plays Ultimate Frisbee competitively on multiple national and international teams. 

  3. November 6, 2017

    Media specialist runs award show for bad movies

    Matthew Quirk, a multimedia specialist at the History of Art Visual Resources collections, helps run a show on campus called the Smithee Awards, which focuses on the worst of the worst when it comes to film.

  4. September 11, 2017

    Ginsberg employee helps bring together local Ethiopian adoption community

    Five years ago, Sara Saylor saw a message in a Facebook group for the local Ethiopian adoption community inquiring about interest in arranging a heritage camp for the kids. Saylor, community engagement lead at the Ginsberg Center, has worked to organize Kamp Kurat every summer since.

  5. July 5, 2017

    Academic adviser helped students get home from Egypt

    It was the beginning of 2011, and Sofia Carlsson was on a plane back to the United States after spending a week in Aleppo, Syria, and Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt. Just three days later, the Arab Spring would begin.

  6. April 3, 2017

    CAPS psychologist works at summer camp for kids with disabilities

    Since she was 16 years old, Karin Arizala has volunteered at summer camps. Most recently, however, she has worked at camps for kids with special needs.

  7. March 20, 2017

    Chef looks back on U-M culinary transformation

    Standing anxiously in the corner, Chef “Buzz” watches as his dish is served to 30 hungry students in a private dining room at South Quad. They are sampling a new creation: a donut filled with chipotle chocolate and … pork.

  8. March 13, 2017

    Dental school staff member takes on dancing, sailing

    From ballroom dancing to sailing, Julie Kelsea’s free time is full of adventure.

  9. February 20, 2017

    Professional development mentor shares passion for world travel

    From whale watching in Canada, to strolling by the Eiffel Tower or relaxing in the Caribbean sun, Janice Reuben and her twin sister, Jayne, are no strangers to international travel.

  10. February 6, 2017

    Library staff member creates narrative with card game

    Some people take up golf as a hobby. Robert Havey, who also enjoys time on the links, competitively plays Magic The Gathering. Havey has been playing the competitive card game for 20 years after learning from a neighbor. From then on he was hooked.