- Features: Driven to support people with disabilities; Toward more inclusive medicine.
- Awards and Recognition: Announcing the recipients of the 2021 Distinguished McKnight University Professor award; and more.
Driven to support people with disabilities
Paige Lasota is one of those rare individuals who knew since high school what she wanted to pursue as a career. Her experience as an aide in special education classrooms deeply resonated with her. “I just knew that was my calling and what I needed to do in life,” she says. Not finding a disability studies major at the U of M, Lasota created her own, paving a path for future students.
Toward more inclusive medicine
Andrea Westby, family physician and faculty member in the U of M’s North Memorial Family Medicine Residency program, has been a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion work within the Medical School’s department of family medicine and community health. Recently she was named the inaugural Josie Robinson Johnson Endowed Chair in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Here, she shares her observations about the impact of racial and social inequities on health and how this new position will help shape health care in the future.
Awards and Recognition
Announcing the recipients of the 2021 Distinguished McKnight University Professor award; Chris Wendt and Mark Klein will lead a $4.5 million grant to support an expansion in lung cancer screenings and research among veterans; U in the News features highlights of U faculty and staff cited in the media. Awards and Recognition
Administrative policy update
The administrative policy Campus-specific Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Majors, Minors, and Certificates has been updated to 1) clarify that students may not complete more than one program in the same discipline and may only count a given course toward one major requirement; 2) establish a minimum credit requirement for minors; and 3) provide guidance on certificate programs, including credit minimums. Feedback is welcome as the proposed revision is under review.
Online Student Rating of Teaching offers new instructor dashboard
On Apr. 8, the University’s online Student Rating of Teaching (SRT) tool, Explorance Blue, will make available the Response Rate Monitor dashboard. The dashboard enables instructors and SRT department contacts to see just-in-time updates on student response rates for the current term and historical response rates. Learn how to access and use the dashboard and get information on additional planned enhancements.
Due Apr. 26 - MnDRIVE Environment Seed Grant RFPs
MnDRIVE is now accepting RFPs for its Seed Grant program, which aims to fund lab/pilot-scale research that uses chemical and/or biological remediation strategies to address environmental challenges across Minnesota. The program is open to researchers across the University system. RFPs are due via the Seed Grant application portal.
Care for our caregivers
“Caregivers on the front lines are essential in the fight against COVID-19, and they need support from everyone for success,” says Wei C., faculty/staff donor to the U of M Caregiver Emergency Fund. Thank you to all faculty and staff who have joined Wei in supporting everyday heroes on the front lines with equipment to safely serve patients and resources to promote their well-being. Learn more about the fund’s impact.
Unique mini-microscope provides insight into complex brain functions
Researchers from the U of M Twin Cities College of Science and Engineering and Medical School have developed a unique head-mounted mini-microscope device that allows them to image complex brain functions of freely moving mice in real time over a period of more than 300 days. The groundbreaking study provides new insight into fundamental research that could improve human brain conditions such as concussions, autism, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease, as well as better understanding the brain’s role in addiction.
Upper Midwest Nursing Home COVID-19 ECHO Collaborative advances health during pandemic
To address the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact to nursing homes in Minnesota and the region, the University of Minnesota and Hennepin Healthcare formed the Upper Midwest Nursing Home COVID-19 ECHO Collaborative. This is a first-of-a-kind partnership between the University of Minnesota Medical School, School of Nursing, and College of Continuing and Professional Studies.
Talking mental health during the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated economic and health care challenges and barriers in the United States. The Kaiser Family Foundation recently released a brief documenting that 4 in 10 adults have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder and other negative impacts on their mental health. Community-University Health Care Center case manager Rachel Fuller talks about mental health and substance abuse challenges she is seeing in her practice.
Applications open: Humphrey Policy Fellows program
The Humphrey Policy Fellows program is recruiting mid-career professionals and emerging leaders from around Minnesota for its next cohort. The nine-month program offers interaction with public officials, leadership training, diversity of participants and perspectives, and opportunities to undertake important projects that benefit the wider community. On Apr. 28, join an informational webinar to learn more about the program. Applications are due June 1.
New alumni-branded items in Minnesota Alumni Market
Show your U of M pride with alumni-branded gear and be one of the first to shop the new Minnesota Alumni Collection, where you can find alumni apparel and accessories.
Bees, butterflies, beetles, and more
Room 219 in Hodson Hall on the Twin Cities campus in St. Paul is home to the University of Minnesota Insect Collection in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. With more than 4 million specimens representing more than 53,000 species, it’s one of the premier university-affiliated collections in the United States. Here are a few examples of what it contains and how it’s helping us understand ways Minnesota's ecosystem is changing.
Research Brief: U of M researchers develop accurate genetic test for early detection of Palmer Amaranth
Palmer Amaranth is an agronomic weed species that has cost the United States agriculture industry billions of dollars. In a recent study, researchers from the U of M’s Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center and Colorado State University have developed a new test for identifying Palmer Amaranth that has shown 99.9% accuracy.
U of M featured virtual events
Apr. 12 - A Celebration of Douglas Kearney's Sho, with Evie Shockley
Apr. 14 - University-Tribal Partnerships to Support Sovereignty and Environmental Justice
Apr. 15 - How to Make Working Parenthood Work
Applications open through Apr. 16 - 17th Annual MN Cup
Apr. 21 - SciSpark 2021: Five minutes, five slides, no limit
Apr. 22 - COVID-19 in the Workplace: Creating Safe Workspaces
Apr. 22 - Webinar - Teamwork: Small Acts, Big Wins
Apr. 22 - Highlighting Minnesota Endangered Species on Earth Day
Equine program engages students while making an impact on the racehorse industry
The Minnesota Thoroughbred industry foals out between 150-200 foals each year across the state of Minnesota. These foals become a part of an industry that brings more than $400 million in economic benefit to the State of Minnesota.
Developing strengths for greater well-being
Associate Professor Rhea Owens says that positive psychology can provide people with tools to help them get through stressful times. Owens specializes in applied positive psychology and strengths research. “When people know and use their strengths, they experience greater well-being and a number of other positive benefits. Regardless of what the specific strengths are, it would be helpful to focus on your strengths,” Owens says.
Women in Music Education series
Music Education faculty are hosting a virtual series, “Women in Music Education.” On Apr. 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Sheila Feay-Shaw from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will present on Ojibwe, Ashanti, and Chinese songs. On Apr. 20, 9-9:50 a.m., Alena Holmes from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will discuss digital songwriting.
Apr. 8 - Steve Rowell presentation: The Cold Coast Archive
The University community is invited to join in a presentation from Steve Rowell, the spring 2021 Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Liberal Arts. Rowell will discuss The Cold Coast Archive, which features sounds, videos, and photographs from the island of Spitsbergen, home to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. 7 p.m.
Sexual assault awareness and prevention month
Throughout the month of April, UMR will be looking at sexual assault as it occurs in different spaces and communities and focusing on ways to elevate and evolve prevention and intervention efforts to address this global crisis. Find resources and view the virtual activities and experiences planned to promote sexual assault awareness and prevention and show support for all victims/survivors.
Preventing bird strikes at the University of Minnesota
Each year, one billion birds in the U.S. die when they collide with glass windows and doors. The University of Minnesota Twin Cities has made a commitment to reducing bird collisions with University buildings by pledging to retrofit buildings which have established patterns of bird-glass collisions and by ensuring that new buildings and renovations are compliant with bird-safe guidelines. Learn more about ways we can all help support this effort.
COVID-19 infographics: Bringing science and art together
Bell Museum staff collaborated with the U of M's Science Communication Lab to create some COVID-19 explainers. The Science Communication Lab brings scientists, writers, and designers together in a collaborative environment to create unique science content for a broad public audience. Read about the project and see the resulting clear, informative, and graphically interesting videos.
New open access publications from U Libraries
Take a look at the latest open access publications from U of M Libraries Publishing, which include everything from gardening to English music to a guide to good reasoning. The Libraries Publishing team helps U of M faculty create and publish open access books, serials, and textbooks.
For municipal fleets, hybrid vehicles may drive savings in urban settings
With the increasing availability of hybrid pickup trucks and SUVs, municipal fleet managers have more options when replacing or expanding their fleets. However, to justify new vehicle purchases, they must determine how their choices affect budgets and operations. In a recent study, U of M researchers used vehicle data to evaluate the potential real-world benefits of adding hybrid vehicles to municipal fleets.
Join the campus Ecochallenge team
To celebrate Earth Month this year, sign up to compete on the University of Minnesota’s Ecochallenge Team. Join students, staff, and faculty in a friendly competition against colleges and universities across the state. This event runs Apr. 12-30 and includes fun, environmentally related challenges to earn points for the University of Minnesota team.
U of M Golf Club seeks new members
The University of Minnesota Golf Club's first individual event is Apr. 24, and the club is welcoming new golfers. The Ice-Breaker event is open this year to non-members who are interested in participating at a club event before joining. The club has conducted tournaments at Les Bolstad Golf Course since 1968, and last year had over 150 members from the University community. For more information, email [email protected].
June 7-Aug. 27 - Summer youth programs
Come along on a new adventure with summer programming that will look different this year with innovative formats, virtual and hybrid camps, camp-in-a-box, and more. Choose from five fun topic areas: Minnesota Sport Schools, Kids' University, Discovering 'U', Gopher Adventures, and Youth Leadership Program. Ages 6-17.