ATHENS, Ga., March 27 -- The University of Georgia issued the following news release:

These awards, one for Director of Graduate Studies and one for Graduate Program Administrator, recognize excellence in service and advocacy on behalf of graduate students and graduate education at the University of Georgia.

Kerstin Emerson is a clinical professor in the College of Public Health and serves as the director of graduate studies in the Institute of Gerontology. Her research focuses on improving the quality of life for older adults, with particular attention to loneliness and social connection.

She oversees the Master of Public Health gerontology concentration, the online Graduate Certificate in Gerontology and the undergraduate minor in ger...