ANN ARBOR— Three University of Michigan faculty members were given the emeritus title by the U-M Regents at their Feb. 18 meeting.

Those retiring are James M. Kister, professor of mathematics; David G. Shappirio, professor of biological sciences; and Gene E. Smith, professor of mechanical engineering.

Kister joined the U-M faculty in 1959, and “all of his research since that time has been in the area of topology, a modern branch of pure mathematics,” said the Regents. “The so-called ‘Kister Isotopy’ was an important contribution to the then emerging theory of higher dimensional topology. He has directed eight doctoral dissertations and greatly helped with several more. He served as chair of the Department of Mathematics in 1971-73 and directed the graduate office as associate chair in 1988-92 and 1994-96. He twice served as managing editor of the Michigan Mathematics Journal (1978 and 1983-88).

Shappirio joined the U-M faculty in 1957 and “his research has effectively used metamorphosing insects as experimental models for studying cellular and molecular events in insect development. He has been interested especially in the process of diapause, an environmentally controlled state of arrested development initiated and terminated by specific hormones and involving spectacular metabolic and biosynthetic changes. In 1976-83, he served as associate chair for instruction and curriculum in the Division of Biological Sciences and had a primary role in the creation of introductory courses that have effectively conveyed the major advances and excitement of modern biology.”

Smith, who joined the U-M faculty in 1963, “has carried out research and published papers on many topics in thermodynamics, including refrigeration and air conditioning, optimization of thermal systems, energy utilization and management, energy storage, alternate energy sources, direct energy conversion, micro climate cooling, and electric and hybrid vehicles. He served as associate chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 1984-86 and as assistant dean of the College of Engineering since 1987. In his role as assistant dean, he exhibited tremendous dedication to undergraduate students.”