School of Engineering graduate student Ameet Jain,
like many Johns Hopkins students, likes to keep his plate
full. In addition to his studies, Jain serves as a
teacher's assistant, advises on average 12 students a year
and serves as a research assistant at the Engineering
Research Center for Computer Integrated Surgical Systems
and Technology, known as CISST ERC.
The India native is also an accomplished young
academic, who first-authored 10 peer-reviewed publications
last year alone. In addition, Jain has filed with an
industrial partner a patent on a medical device to be used
in the treatment of prostate cancer; a protocol has been
approved to begin human trials. His faculty mentors
sometimes wonder how he manages to find the time for all
his responsibilities.
To honor his dedication, Jain was named Student
Employee of the Year at a ceremony held April 5 in
Homewood's Glass Pavilion. He received a $500 savings bond
and a citation from Gov. Robert Ehrlich. Three days later,
Jain was named the Maryland Student Employee of the Year
and will now be entered in the regional competition.
JHU's 14th annual Student Employee of the Year
ceremony was part of National Student Employee Appreciation
week, which aims to enhance awareness of student employment
and the important role it plays in higher education. At
Johns Hopkins, students fill more than 4,200 vital
positions in the university's various offices, labs and
centers.
Russell Taylor, a professor in the Department of
Computer Science and director of CISST ERC, said that Jain
is perhaps the most conscientious TA he's ever had.
Employer of the Year Cheryl
Janowsky, left, with student nominators Hugh Scott II,
Brian Anderson and Marga Glasser.
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"Ameet is just an absolutely keystone student in our
laboratory," Taylor said. "He continually makes himself
available to students and goes out of his way to help them
with their projects, but that is just part one. In
addition, he has done really excellent research work for me
and the other research faculty at CISST. Students like him
are exactly why we come to work."
Jain said the word "excellent" about sums up his
feeling on winning the honor. As for the recognition of his
work, Jain said that working with fellow students, both
undergraduates and graduates, is less a job and more a
learning experience.
"I would say if not for them, this [award] probably
would not have happened," he said.
If not for six student workers at the
Career Center,
Cheryl Janowsky certainly would not have been nominated for
and won the 2005 Employer of the Year award, also presented
at the ceremony.
Janowsky, who was both surprised and thrilled to win
the honor, said the 14 student workers at the Career Center
are the ones who really deserve the kudos.
"They just about run the place," she said. "They are
the first point of contact for students and employers who
utilize the Career Center."
Brian Anderson, one of the six students who nominated
Janowsky and co-winner of second place for Student Employee
of the Year, said that Janowsky is not just a supportive
boss but also a trusted friend.
"Her office door is always open for work and school
issues," said Anderson, a senior biology major. "She
involves all of us in really important projects and makes
the office feel like a second home, one you always feel
welcome in."
In addition to Anderson and Janowsky, the Career
Center staff received another honor, a group recognition
award. Group awards were also given to Advanced Academic
Programs' Online Education; Office of Recreation; Athletics
Office; Center for Talented Youth's Registration Office;
Hopkins Symphony Orchestra; Registrar's Office; Security,
Parking and Transportation; and the Visual Resources
Collection at the History of Art Department.
Forty-one students and 28 employers were nominated for
this year's individual awards. Each nominee received a
certificate and a commemmorative T-shirt.
In a tie, Diane Smirnova also earned a second place
Student Employee of the Year award, for her work at the
Athletic Center. Christina Bonsanti from Security, Parking
and Transportation took third place. Matt Dragon, who works
at IT@JH, and Ryan Carroll, from SPSBE's Homewood Center,
both placed fourth.
In the Employer of the Year category, second place
went to Alice Brainerd at IT@JH's Student Information
Services. Todd Bullock, who works at SPSBE's Office of
Finance and Administration, came in third place, and fourth
went to the Annual Fund Office's Jillian Davis. Judges for
the student awards were Gerald Levin, administrative
manager in the Department of Biophysics; Wen Shen,
assistant professor in the Department of
Gynecology-Obstetrics; and Anand Narayan, a medical
student. Judges for the employer awards were Beverly
Rivero, a senior in the Writing Seminars; Allison Tsao, a
junior biomedical engineering major; and Brijesh Shetty, a
graduate student in Computer Science.
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