Neighbors in the news: Northbrook native named Outstanding Young Engineer
• Dr. Jamie Spangler, assistant professor of biomedical engineering and chemical and biomolecular engineering at Johns Hopkins University, was named a 2022 Outstanding Young Engineer by the Maryland Science Center.
Dr. Spangler, a Northbrook native, is pioneering new research directions in the field of biomolecular engineering by developing innovative tools to interrogate and manipulate biology at the level of proteins.
Her lab is at the cutting edge of molecular medicine, advancing new therapies from the discovery and design phases all the way through clinical translation, particularly for targeted treatment of diseases ranging from cancer to autoimmune disorders.
Outstanding Young Engineer Award recipients are chosen by members of the Maryland Academy of Sciences' Scientific Advisory Council.
•
At the Cook County Republican Convention on Wednesday, July 27, Palatine resident Aaron Del Mar was elected state central committeeman for the 5th Congressional District for a four-year term. In this position, Del Mar vows to take a leadership role in helping to reform and rebuild the Illinois Republican Party.
Del Mar is the first Asian and Palatine resident to be elected to this statewide position with the Illinois Republican Party. He is an entrepreneur, small business owner and founder of Illinois-based Adrenaline Special Events LLC, which produces 5K races and endurance events across the country.
The Illinois State Central Committee is the governing board of the Illinois Republican Party, and consists of 17 members, with one representing each of the state's congressional districts.
•
Buffalo Grove native Alexander Wziontka was promoted to a captain in the U.S. Air Force.
Capt. Wziontka is a 2012 graduate of Buffalo Grove High School and an Eagle Scout from Troop 140 out of St. Mary Parish in Buffalo Grove. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from Michigan State University and is a 2022 graduate of Louisiana State University, with a master's degree in business administration.
A cybersecurity officer, Capt. Wziontka is currently assigned to Ramstein Air Force Base, Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany, which serves as headquarters for U.S. Air Forces in Europe and is also a North Atlantic Treaty Organization installation.
•
Barrington resident Domenic Munaretto, of team USA Wrestling, was awarded a gold medal for his first place men's freestyle win at the U17 World Championships in Rome, Italy.
A graduate of Grove Junior High Prairie Campus, Munaretto defeated Bashir Verdiyev of Azerbaijan for the gold on July 31.
The final score of 2-0 marks the third time in a row team USA Wrestling has won the 45 kg weight division in freestyle.
Along with Munaretto, the U.S. men's freestyle squad U17 will bring home a record setting eight medals. The previous high was seven in 2016.
• Submit 'Neighbors in the News' items to ntwohey@dailyherald.com.