- Features: A window into the wild north; A fresh prescription.
- Awards and Recognition: The University has received two NIH grants to research cardiovascular health among a diverse population of children; and more.
A window into the wild north
It’s not every day that the work of researchers at academic institutions grabs the media spotlight, but it turns out that the antics of wolf pups are hard to resist, especially in the age of social media. University of Minnesota researchers with the Voyageurs Wolf Project at Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota have inadvertently made celebrities out of wolves and other rarely seen wild animals. In the process, researchers are connecting critical facets of wolf behavior to important ecological factors, prey, and human interactions.
A fresh prescription
In addition to providing routine and specialized care, providers at several M Health Fairview clinics and hospitals across Minnesota also “prescribe” patients who are experiencing food insecurity access to free, locally grown food. The initiative, known as Veggie Rx, was launched about six years ago and served a handful of families at a single clinic. Now, the program is in 10 clinics across the state, providing produce to more than 1,000 patients each year. Learn more and view an interactive infographic.
Awards and Recognition
The University has received two NIH grants, totaling more than $6.5 million, to research cardiovascular health among a diverse population of children; announcing the recipients of the 2022 Vickie R. Courtney Award for Outstanding Service to University Senate Governance; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.
U of M Online website has relaunched
The University of Minnesota Online website (online.umn.edu) has been redesigned with a fresh new look. This systemwide site is a gateway to all of the University's primarily and fully online programming. It features both credit and noncredit courses, certificates, and degrees, including offerings from Coursera. Complete this form if you have a new online program or know of a program that is not represented.
MyU and related systems unavailable Apr. 23-24
MyU and related online services such as APAS and Grad Planner will be unavailable while the University performs a system upgrade on the weekend of Apr. 23-24. Service is expected to be restored the afternoon of Apr. 24. You can still access Canvas courses through canvas.umn.edu and University email at mail.umn.edu. As a result of the upgrade, there will be minor changes to the PeopleSoft user interface. Contact Technology Help with any questions.
Seeking nominations for Faculty Associates
The Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs seeks nominations and applications for three Faculty Associates to serve during the 2022-23 academic year to advance its mission to develop, support, and celebrate diverse faculty and academic leaders who advance excellence and innovation in research, teaching, and service at the University of Minnesota. View the Call for Applications for additional information and instructions on how to apply.
Finnish-American Research & Innovation Accelerator seeking collaborators
The Finnish-American Research & Innovation Accelerator (FARIA) is seeking U.S. collaborators for research projects within the FARIAincubator program related to adaptive artificial intelligence in distributed networks, bio-based materials applied to biomedicine, health and social services, and bio-based polymer chemistry. Letters of interest are due Apr. 15. This initiative is the result of an agreement the State of Minnesota signed with Finland last fall to increase collaboration in various areas of mutual interest.
Applications open for 2022 MN Cup competition
Apply for the MN Cup startup competition, a community-led, public-private partnership supporting Minnesota’s entrepreneurs and featuring free resources made possible by a network of mentors, judges, educators, sponsors, and community partners. Applications are open through Apr. 15.
Call for proposals: MnDRIVE Environment Seed Grants
The MnDRIVE Advancing Industry, Conserving our Environment initiative is requesting proposals for new and innovative seed grant projects in the area of environmental remediation using biological and/or chemical means. See funding categories and apply by Apr. 18.
Still Driven to Discover: Professional Development Grants for retirees
The University of Minnesota Retirees Association has a grants program intended to provide funding for University retirees to continue their scholarship or to pursue interesting new projects. The program is an annual competition with applications accepted from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 every year. Funding of up to $5,000 is available. University of Minnesota retirees systemwide are eligible.
Wildlife professor Q&A about birdsong in spring
Birds produce a variety of vocalizations, which are generally divided into songs and calls. Both migratory and non-migratory birds begin singing in early spring or upon their return to breeding areas to attract mates and establish and defend breeding territories. Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology professor David Andersen answers frequently asked questions about birdsong and explains how season changes affect bird singing.
Research Brief: New study solves mystery of how soft liquid droplets erode hard surfaces
A first-of-its-kind study led by University of Minnesota Twin Cities researchers reveals why liquid droplets have the ability to erode hard surfaces. The discovery could help engineers design better, more erosion-resistant materials. Additional recent Research Briefs include “Solving the Honeycrisp apple ancestry mystery,” “New study of how bacteria swim could help prevent the spread of disease and improve medical treatments,” “Using technology to identify crop types early in the season, without entering the field,” and “Study shows strong influence of external environment on fungal communities in the primate gut.”
Apr. 26 - Convene Conference: Consumerization of Healthcare & Digital Health
The new Business Advancement Center for Health at the Carlson School will host the 4th annual Convene Conference, a thought-leadership conference focused on the intersection of healthcare, technology, and data analytics to drive industry change. Learn more and register for the conference.
May 19 - Global Accessibility Awareness Day
All are invited to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) at the U of M. Alongside people and organizations around the world, the U of M online event will inspire conversation, thinking, and learning about access and inclusion for the more than one billion people with disabilities/impairments across the world and—in particular—those who work, study, and lead at the University of Minnesota. Learn more and register for GAAD.
U of M featured virtual events
Apr. 8 - Advancing Health Equity: Public Health Solutions for Climate Change
Apr. 8 - Restorative Justice Archaeology in the Heart of Black Wall Street
Apr. 13 - Growing pains for humans and raptors
Apr. 14 - Tibetan Medicine: Create a Healthier MIND and Live Joyfully!
Apr. 19 - A tour of the aging eye
Sustainability: Global problem with local solutions
Sustainability Coordinator and Associate Professor Katy Chapman, along with Lindsay Peace of the Northwest Research and Outreach Center, recently secured a grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for a project titled “Farming Practices for Improved Soil Health.” Learn more about the grant and project.
Apr. 22 - ‘In The Spirit of Cinco De Mayo’
The University of Minnesota Crookston will host “In the Spirit of Cinco de Mayo,” an event that highlights and celebrates Mexican traditions and culture. A meal will be served free of charge and children will have the opportunity to create arts and crafts that will expand their knowledge of Mexican culture and traditions.
‘Office Hours’ with Lacey Loomer
In this episode of “Office Hours,” UMD chats with Lacey Loomer, assistant professor of Healthcare Management. Loomer runs down some important stats—like her department's 95 percent career placement rate—and explains why she goes a little looney for Minnesota’s state bird. “What I love most about UMD is the students,” she says. “They impress me every single day.”
Study reveals UMD's positive impact on the local economy
The Labovitz School’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research reports that UMD contributed almost $582 million in local production and support to Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region and Douglas County, WI, along with more than 4,100 jobs, in 2019 and 2020. The total impact includes operations, construction, and student and visitor spending.
Apr. 6-11 - Festival of History
The Festival of History will showcase local, regional, and national authors and historians at multiple venues throughout Duluth and Superior. Events include talks on regional and world history, a maritime walking tour, and a scavenger hunt, and are sponsored by the UMD Public History program, Museum Studies program, and multiple local heritage organizations.
2022 Spring Feast connects communities
On March 29, UMD’s annual Spring Feast celebrated the new season, and brought the community together for speakers and traditional foods. Speakers and performers included author Linda LeGarde Grover, Fond Du Lac elder Ricky Defoe, and Cedar Creek drum group. Due to the pandemic, this was the first time the Spring Feast has been held since 2019.
Rothchild among 2022 Horace T. Morse Alumni Award recipients
Jennifer Rothchild, professor of sociology and gender, women, and sexuality studies, is among the select group of faculty members recently honored with the Horace T. Morse - University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education.
Apr. 14 - Azari to give 2022 Jooinn Lee Lecture
Julia Azari, associate professor of political science at Marquette University and senior contributor at FiveThirtyEight.com, will present “Is Joe Biden the Leader of the Democratic Party?” at the 2022 Jooinn Lee Lecture.
Tate Memorial Fund: It started with a tractor
When asked what inspired the Tate Memorial Fund, Jeff Tate says it all started with a tractor. While working as associate director of the Biotechnology Institute at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Tate says that he “had a philanthropic twinge.”
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. UMR’s overarching theme for this month is “Red Flags & Gray Spaces: Recognizing Warning Signs.” Throughout April UMR will explore the red flags and gray spaces of sexual violence, how these flags manifest in diverse communities, and focus on ways to elevate and evolve prevention and intervention efforts to address the gray spaces of gender-based violence.
UMR community mural
Students, staff, faculty, alumni, and members of the Rochester community gathered together recently to paint UMR's community mural. The 1,500-square-foot mural will be installed in University Square at the end of April. The mural represents the human potential and talent being developed for the future of health sciences.
Core Curriculum 2025 campus forums
The Core Curriculum 2025 (CC2025) committee began meeting in January with the task of developing recommendations for a new or revised general education program for undergraduate students on the Twin Cities campus who are admitted fall 2025 and beyond. The committee is eager to hear input from the campus community, and the first of several opportunities to join the discussion are coming up in April and May. RSVP for one or more sessions.
Leaving a mark on parks
Dan Woychick started LoveMplsParks with a simple mission: Inspire people to explore, promote, and preserve Minneapolis’ award-winning park system. With the assistance of Carlson School Master of Marketing students, that vision is coming into clearer focus.
Rye’s art rooted in experience from foundling to ‘forever home’
Megan Rye (MFA ’03) is a visual artist and teacher born in Seoul in 1975. Rye's current project, “FOUNDLING: 100 Days,” is on exhibit at the Weisman Art Museum through May. It includes portraits of herself and fellow internationally adopted children. Here, Rye answers several questions about the exhibit and her life as an artist.
Apr. 13 - Understanding UMN Policy: Accommodations for Lactation
Join the Lactation Advocacy Committee and EOAA for a virtual event (register) to learn about recent policy updates and lactation resources on campus. This event will feature a short presentation followed by time for questions and discussion. 11 a.m.
Apr. 28 - Latino/a/x Faculty and Staff Association Spring Assembly
The Latino/a/x Faculty and Staff Association will host its 2022 Spring Assembly, an opportunity to join fellow Latinx faculty and staff to reconnect and meet new people. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Carlson Outdoor Plaza. RSVP by Apr. 14.
UMTC Featured Events
20 things to do in April at the Landscape Arboretum
April - Six amazing exhibits on view now in U Libraries
Apr. 9 - Japanese Tea Ceremony
Apr. 11-15 - 2022 IEM Innovation Week
Apr. 13: An Evening with Jennifer Egan
Apr. 19 - FUSE Spring Panel | Addressing Climate Change and Disparities through Transportation Investment
Apr. 27 - A matter of fate: The long tail of chemicals in the environment