Integrative Well Being Prize Award Ceremony and Presentations

This is a reminder that the Center for Buddhist Studies (CBS) at the University of Arizona cordially invites faculty, students, and the broader community to attend the Integrative Well-Being Prize Award Ceremony and Presentations on May 1st.

This event honors pioneering work that advances integrative approaches to well-being across disciplines. The 2025 awardees bring together perspectives from health sciences, medical humanities, Buddhist studies, digital technologies, and community-based practice—collectively redefining healing as a multidimensional and deeply human process.

Time:
May 1 (Friday), 2026 | 2:00–5:00 PM

Location:
Cantor Hall, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine
University of Arizona
Address: 1502 E Mabel St, Tucson, AZ 85719
Suggested Parking: Highland Garage (1420 E Helen St, Tucson, AZ 85719)

Program Schedule

2:00–2:05 pm
Opening Remarks
Jiang Wu
Regents Professor, Department of East Asian Studies, director of Center for Buddhist Studies

2:05–2:30 pm
Video Highlights and Award Ceremony

Awardee Presentations (2:30–4:30 pm)

Duo Bao
Research Technologist, College of Health Sciences – SensorLab
“Integrating Wearable Sensing and Spatial Mapping: A Machine Learning Approach to Calm and Stress”
Discussant: Jiang Wu, Director, Center for Buddhist Studies

Miao Chen / Lu Zheng
Graduate Teaching Associates, Department of East Asian Studies, College of Humanities
“Memory Cake Object Theater Workshop”
Discussant: Josh Schechlet, Assistant Professor of Practice, Department of East Asian Studies

Albrecht Classen
University Distinguished Professor, Department of German Studies, College of Humanities
“Alternative and Integrative Medicine: Unexpected Medieval Perspectives”
Discussant: Jiang Wu, Director, Center for Buddhist Studies

Ryan Daily and Adriana Rice
College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences
“Elevate Evenings: A New Model for Campus Connection and Well-Being”
Discussants:
Robert Shatz, President of the Shatz Family Foundation
Bonnie Kneller, CISW (Certified Independent Social Worker)

Fiona Liyanage
Undergraduate, College of Medicine; Religious Studies / East Asian Studies
“Buddhist-Informed Palliative Care: Redefining What It Means to Heal”
Discussant: Rae Dachille, Associate Professor, Department of Religious Studies and Classics

Mykelti Nuamah and Team
Undergraduate, Health Humanities Hub, College of Humanities
“The Health Humanities Collective: Because Healing is Human”
Discussant: Christine Hoekenga, founding coordinator of the Health Humanities Hub (H3)

4:30–5:00 pm
General Discussion and Reflections
Including video comments by the evaluation committee


This event highlights the emergence of integrative well-being as both an intellectual paradigm and a lived practice—one that bridges contemplative traditions, scientific inquiry, and community engagement. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with innovative work that redefines how we understand care, resilience, and the human condition.

We warmly welcome your participation!