People, papers and presentations

David Alexander, director of the Rice Space Institute and a professor of physics and astronomy, will be master of ceremonies for a panel discussion by former astronauts who now work in the commercial space industry. The event sponsored by the Commercial Spaceflight Federation will be at 5 p.m. Sept. 4 at Space Center Houston and will be webcast live at www.commercialspaceflight.org.

Antonios Mikos, the Louis Calder Professor of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, has been named the 2014 Distinguished Engineering Alumnus by Purdue University. Mikos earned his master’s and doctorate degrees from Purdue. He joined Rice’s faculty in 1992 and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine and the Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas.

Fred Oswald, professor and chair of Rice’s Department of Psychology, has been named a committee member for a National Research Council project called “Measuring Human Capabilities: Performance Potential of Individuals and Collectives.”

Anastasiya Zavyalova, an assistant professor of strategic management at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, received Oxford University Centre for Corporate Reputation’s “Best Dissertation Award for 2013” at the 17th International Conference on Corporate Reputation, Brand, Identity and Competitiveness in Barcelona in June. She also received the “Best Conference Paper” for her paper “The Dark Side of Prominence: Organizational Consequences of Seeking Media Coverage.” Zavyalova received the “Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Reviewing Award” from the Organization and Management Theory Division of the Academy of Management in Orlando in August for being one of the academy’s top reviewers.