By Rebecca Wyatt, OU Web Writer

The Board of Trustees conferred on Michael Sevilla, professor of chemistry, the title of distinguished professor during its April 6 meeting. Sevilla joins 13 others with the distinguished professor title, which was created by the Board of Trustees in 1988 to recognize professors who achieve preeminence in scholarship, teaching, and public or professional service.

During his tenure, Sevilla has served as professor, chair of the Chemistry Department and acting associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences.

He has achieved international recognition for this work on radiation chemistry of biological molecules. His research has been funded since he arrived at OU in 1970. Sevilla’s grants from external sources total nearly $4 million and have supported research that has led to 140 papers published in journals and 150 talks at national and international professional conferences.

Beyond his service to OU, Sevilla was selected as chair of the Gordon Research Conference on Radiation Chemistry in 1998 and served as president of the Radiation Research Society.

In his research, Sevilla uses electron spin resonance to evaluate changes in the purine and pyrimidine bases of the DNA molecule. The research not only provides important contributions to basic science but also provides information for the study of diseases that may arise from oxidative damage such as cancer or macular degeneration.

Distinguished professors receive a one-time salary stipend of $2,500 plus an annual supplies and services allocation of $1,500 up to five years and the title of distinguished professor for the duration of their active service at OU.

Sevilla and many other OU faculty will be honored at the tenth annual Faculty Recognition Luncheon on Friday, April 22, at 11:30 a.m. in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms. The luncheon, which honors faculty whose teaching and research excellence, scholarly productivity, creative achievements and community service have contributed to the university's success, is part of OU’s Founders’ Day activities.