Ann Arbor Times

University of Michigan professors April Zeoli and Monica Dus have been honored with the 2024 Presidential Awards for Public Engagement for their significant contributions to society through firearm safety and U.S. Navy education. The awards were presented by U-M President Santa J. Ono at a formal dinner on March 31.

April Zeoli, an associate professor at the School of Public Health, was recognized with the President's Award for Public Impact for her work on policy interventions related to firearm use in intimate partner violence. Her research has influenced the closure of the "boyfriend loophole" in domestic violence firearm restrictions. Zeoli's nominators praised her impact on public policy: "Dr. Zeoli has been instrumental in providing evidence-based testimony and research expertise to lawmakers in Lansing and Washington, D.C." Zeoli also leads the policy core at the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention and has been involved in extensive research on red flag laws and firearm safety. Reflecting on her award, Zeoli said, "Winning this award is validating for a number of reasons."

Monica Dus, of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, received the President's Award for National and State Leadership for her role as a White House Fellow with the U.S. Navy. In this capacity, she contributed to the Navy's educational and technological strategies, earning recognition with the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award. Her nominators appreciated her capacity to unite diverse teams under a common national security objective. Dus remarked that the university award reflects its value on public engagement, a recognition she finds remarkable in academia.

Zeoli and Dus have a shared commitment to public service beyond their academic endeavors, as reflected in their diverse involvements, including Dus' initiatives like hosting a science podcast and collaborating on educational projects.

The dedication and achievements of these professors elevate the standards of their fields while fostering community and national enhancements.