Fulbright faculty from Italy, Poland to bring expertise to University in 2009-10

Two internationally acclaimed faculty from Europe who are known for their clinical behavior analysis expertise will join the California State University, Stanislaus faculty as Fulbright Scholars-in-Residence during the 2009-10 academic year.

The University’s Department of Psychology in the College of Human and Health Sciences will host the two scholars. Dr. Giovambattista “Nanni” Presti, who teaches at IULM (University of Languages and Communication) in Milan and the European University of Rome, both in Italy, will come to CSU Stanislaus for the Fall 2009 semester. Following in the Spring 2010 term will be Dr. Monika Suchowierska, Director of the Psychology in the English Program at the Warsaw School of Psychology, and Director of the early intervention center Step by Step, also in Warsaw, Poland.

During their semester visits, the scholars will teach a research seminar and a course in their field of expertise, according to Dr. Gary Novak, Dean of the College Human and Health Sciences. They will also participate in the University’s programs for students in the residence halls where they will live during their stay, and will be sharing their views during presentations and sessions with professionals in the field of psychology and education.

“These two Fulbright Scholars-in-Residence will bring great prestige to California State University, Stanislaus as experts in their fields of study,” said Dr. Hamid Shirvani, University President. “Students, faculty, and the community will greatly benefit from their presence. We look forward to welcoming them to campus.”
 
Presti is an expert on behavioral medicine and known for his international promotion of a program to address child obesity issues. Called “Food Dudes,” the program uses behavioral techniques to increase nutritious food consumption by elementary school children. Faculty in the CSU Stanislaus College of Human & Health Services are putting together a similar plan to implement the research program at local schools.

Suchowierska is an acknowledged expert in the field of behavioral treatment of autism, a topic that has been the subject of intensive research and studies by a number of CSU Stanislaus Psychology faculty. She established the first “Center for Early Intervention Step by Step” clinic in Poland to offer intensive behavioral services for children with autism.

Two CSU Stanislaus faculty members are currently teaching abroad on Fulbright Awards. Dr. Agnes Riedmann of Sociology is at a university in Warsaw, Poland, and Dr. Molly Crumpton Winter of English is lecturing at a university in Okinawa, Japan.