Dear Friends of the Center for Buddhist Studies,
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.
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!