- Features: Transforming food shelves into friendly places with healthy food; Caring for Norman: Treating hands with heart.
- Awards and Recognition: Jian-Ping Wang has been awarded the 2024 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Magnetics Society Achievement Award; and more.
Transforming food shelves into friendly places with healthy food
“As I sat with an almost empty gas tank, I thought, ‘Really, God, are you going to make me choose between fuel for my truck or food for my family?’” That chilling account comes from a Minnesotan who was outside a food shelf, struggling to find the courage to go inside. Replacing that stigma with the dignity that grocery store shoppers take for granted is the primary goal of the SuperShelf program, an effort by U of M Extension and partner organizations around the state.
Caring for Norman: Treating hands with heart
Nothing stops 3-year-old Norman Sernick Kennedy. Norman was born with a hole in his skull, an eyelid that wasn’t fully formed, and fingers on both hands fused together. It’s called amniotic band syndrome, says his doctor, professor, and orthopedic surgeon Ann Van Heest. “Norman is such a wonderful kid. It’s a joy to be on this journey with him and his family,” says Van Heest. Learn more and watch a video about Norman’s story.
Awards and Recognition
Jian-Ping Wang has been awarded the 2024 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Magnetics Society Achievement Award; the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities will honor the contributions of Amy Hewitt, Frank Symons, Brian Abery, and Renáta Tichá; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.
Feb. 1 - Deadline to request new Canvas Tools for potential fall integration
Faculty, instructors, and staff can request Canvas tool integrations, including textbooks and courseware. Each tool must go through a formal evaluation, security vetting, and approval process before the tool can be integrated with Canvas. The Learning Tools for Canvas website includes details on the request process. Feb. 1 is the next deadline to submit a request for a possible fall 2024 integration.
RIO announces 2024 funding and award opportunities
The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) has announced its funding and award programs for 2024. Highlights include the continuation of RIO's existing programs and presentations by the 2023 Artist-in-Residence recipients in the fall. RIO provides over $5.6 million in institutional funding and awards annually to support and nurture the University’s systemwide research enterprise.
2024 call for proposals: ‘Play Again?’
The University Libraries is pleased to announce and host “Play Again?”: An online mini-symposium to be held May 3. The theme will be “Horror in video game music and sound.” Available systemwide, proposals of no more than 500 words should be submitted by March 18.
Submit nominations for the Regents Professorship
The deadline for submitting nominations for the Regents Professorship is March 1. The Regents Professorship—the highest honor the University bestows on its faculty—recognizes those who have made exceptional contributions to the University through teaching, research, scholarship, or creative work, and contributions to the public good.
Submit nominations for the President's Award for Outstanding Service
The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2024 President's Award for Outstanding Service is March 1. This award recognizes exceptional service to the University, its schools, colleges, departments, and service units by any current or retired faculty or staff member. Recipients will receive a one-time $1,000 stipend.
Submit nominations for the Vickie R. Courtney Award for Outstanding Service to University Senate Governance
The nomination deadline for the 2024 Vickie R. Courtney Award for Outstanding Service to University Senate Governance is March 1. This award recognizes faculty, students, and academic professional and administrative and civil service staff systemwide who have demonstrated a commitment to and made a significant impact on University Senate governance. Recipients will receive a one-time $1,000 stipend.
Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals and Award for Global Engagement nominations
Nominations are being accepted for two University-wide awards that recognize commitment to internationalization by faculty, staff, and alumni. The Award for Global Engagement is given to faculty and staff in recognition of outstanding contributions to global education and international programs at the University or in their field or discipline. The Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals is for international alumni, former students, and friends of the University who have distinguished themselves in their post-university work as leaders. Deadline is May 21.
Study presents promising alternative for cancer immunotherapy
The U of M Medical School has led research that has the potential to push cancer treatment into a new era by introducing an innovative non-viral approach to enhance adoptive cellular therapy. The study unveils a genetic engineering method that avoids the cost and safety concerns associated with viral vectors—tools used in genetic engineering—potentially transforming cancer immunotherapy.
CIDRAP launches international effort to prepare for possible chronic wasting disease spillover
The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the U of M is pioneering a multi-country project to prepare for a possible chronic wasting disease spillover from deer or other cervids—members of the deer family—to humans or non-cervid farm animals.
Talking financial fitness with U of M
A new year brings the opportunity to ring in resolutions focused on positive changes. While many resolutions typically revolve around physical health, it's equally important to consider another vital aspect of health: financial well-being. See more editions of "Talking with U of M."
Feb. 26-March 1 - Research Ethics Week
Join peers and colleagues across the University for Research Ethics Week, a series of educational opportunities focused on professional development and best practices to promote, maintain, and model high standards of ethics and integrity in research. The conference, “Building Partnerships to Advance Ethical Research: Collaborators, Communities & Companies,” features top national speakers and will take place Feb. 28 via Zoom.
Senior aspires to become a veterinarian following years of professional dog showing
U of M Crookston senior Erin Turman recently applied to several vet schools and one day hopes to become a veterinarian. Turman has a deep love for animals, so much so she trained and professionally showed Australian Shepherds in dog shows for ten years and was ranked the number one American Kennel Club All-Breed Junior Handler in the United States for 2018.
Imagine Fund grants awarded to Crookston faculty in 2023
Three Imagine Fund Annual Faculty Research Grants totaling $10,000 were awarded to U of M Crookston faculty in 2023. Associate Professor Katy Chapman and Assistant Professor James Foss were awarded $5,000 for their project to assess the impact of art on the level of caring about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Associate Professor Ali Saeedi was awarded $3,500 for his enterprise risk management and financial distress research. Professor Rachel McCoppin was awarded $1,500 for her book project to support international travel for world mythology research.
Tribal Training Certification Partnership
In 1978, Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act in response to Native American children being removed from their homes and placed in foster care at disproportionate rates. Despite regulation, those rates have remained high. To address the issue, the Tribal Training and Certification Partnership was formed at UMD to train social workers who work with Native American families.
‘Office Hours’ with David Anderson
In this episode of “Office Hours,” UMD talks with David Anderson, assistant professor of electrical engineering. Anderson’s research lies at the confluence of audio, electronics, and machine learning.
Jan. 29 - The TRUTH Project: Updates and Next Steps
Senior Advisor to the President for Native American Affairs Karen Diver and Regent Tadd Johnson will share University updates regarding the TRUTH Project report’s recommendations from 1-3 p.m., Kirby Ballroom, and via Zoom.
Cofer named vice chancellor for academic affairs
Following a national search, Jordan Cofer has been named the next vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean at the U of M Morris. The appointment is pending approval by the U of M Board of Regents.
Jan. 29 - Morris Community Meal
Morris Community Meal uses local foods and sustainable practices as much as possible, and strives to share food from a variety of cultures. January's Morris Community Meal is at Faith Lutheran Church. Learn more and volunteer to help prepare, serve, and clean up.
The Kettle - The power of poetry to heal
UMR alumna and Medical School student Amarachi Orakwue ’19 discovered her love of poetry in an eighth-grade creative writing class. She carried that love for poetry to UMR, where she found lifelong connection and scholarship through UMR benefactors Joe and Peggy Marchisani. Read more about Amarachi and how her passion for poetry has impacted her educational journey. Her story is featured in the fall alumni magazine, The Kettle.
History in the making
As the new year begins, the U of M Rochester reflects on its history, including important people, dates, and events that helped shape UMR’s young campus into the University it is today.
A new era of digital health
Mayo Clinic’s recent dramatic expansion announcement, “Bold. Forward. Unbound.,” is a $5 billion capital project, the largest public or private investment in Minnesota’s history. Chancellor Lori Carrell describes how Mayo’s focus on digital health within its facilities expansion is opening new conversations about what’s next for UMR.
Call for PSLSA nominations
The President's Student Leadership and Service Award (PSLSA) honors outstanding students for invaluable leadership and service to the U of M Twin Cities and the surrounding community. Nominations are due Feb. 11, 11:59 p.m. Review the nomination guidelines. Email [email protected] with questions.
Twin Cities high schoolers learn the basics of orthopedic surgery in the Makerspace
The Perry Initiative, an organization that provides hands-on experience and mentorship support for women entering orthopedic surgery and engineering, partnered with the U of M Medical School and the Health Sciences Library to host two outreach programs for local high schoolers and medical students. Ann Van Heest, professor and orthopedic surgeon and Perry Initiative board member, has helped bring these outreach programs to the U of M for the past nine years.
March 18-19 - Town Hall and Grand Rounds with Hoifung Poon from Microsoft Health Futures
The Department of Surgery and Center for Learning Health System Sciences will welcome Hoifung Poon to campus in March. Poon helped develop ChatGPT and is general manager at Microsoft Health Futures, where he leads biomedical AI research. Poon’s visit will kick off on March 18 with a town hall on the future of AI followed by a Q&A session and reception. On March 19, he will give a talk titled “Advancing Health at the Speed of AI.” RSVP is recommended.
Featured events
Ongoing - Exhibit: The Soil and The Story
Jan. 24-26 - Winter Clearance Sale at MN Alumni Market
Jan. 25 - Beyond Walls screening: Mass Incarceration and Public Health
Opening Jan. 25 - The Everlasting Legacy of MLK - A Peace of My Mind
Jan. 30 - Honoring Neurodiversity: Planning & Designing for Effective Accessible Learning
Jan. 31 - 2024 U.S. Foreign Policy Update
Feb. 2 - First Fridays: The Salesman’s Scalpels
Feb. 6 - 2024 Women in Ag Conference