Brief summer schedule: Brief will next publish on Aug. 25. Weekly publication resumes Sept. 8.
- Learning from llamas, U of M scientists develop a candidate COVID-19 drug.
- Features: Revealing the invisible: New supercomputer equipped to find meaning in data; The iron range.
- Awards and Recognition: 2021 recipients of the Award for Global Engagement; and more.
Learning from llamas, U of M scientists develop a candidate COVID-19 drug
U of M researchers have developed a candidate drug that was effective in both preventing and quelling SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals, signaling potential in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic if it can be validated in human trials. The candidate drug, called Nanosota-1, came from a unique, tiny antibody, called a nanobody, that is derived from llamas.
Revealing the invisible: New supercomputer equipped to find meaning in data
It’s a little hard to explain just how powerful the University of Minnesota’s new supercomputer will be. Comparatively speaking, the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute’s (MSI) Agate cluster—named after Lake Superior agate, Minnesota’s state gemstone—will boast roughly seven times the computing power of the existing Mesabi system when it arrives later this summer. Over 900 principal investigators currently use MSI’s supercomputers to conduct some portion of their research. Agate’s capabilities will help MSI meet a growing demand among the University research community.
The iron range
Although iron is a powerhouse nutrient that builds and supports strong bodies, it can be challenging to get enough of—especially if you’re pregnant. U of M researchers have discovered that getting enough iron during pregnancy is more important than previously recognized. In fact, iron deficiency during fetal development is linked to a higher risk of certain long-term mental health outcomes.
Awards and Recognition
2021 recipients of the Award for Global Engagement; Alisha Wackerle-Hollman and colleagues have been awarded two $2 million, four-year grants by the Institute for Education Sciences; David Darrow was recently named the Rockswold-Kaplan Endowed Chair for Traumatic Brain Injury by Hennepin Healthcare; the M Health Fairview ECMO life support program has received an Award of Excellence in Extracorporeal Life Support; the University of Minnesota has been recognized as a National Standard Top Workplace by the Star Tribune; U in the News features highlights of U faculty and staff cited in the media. Awards and Recognition
Aug. 18 - Town Hall: Preparing for Fall 2021
President Joan Gabel, the Senate Consultative Committee, and other University leaders will discuss the recently updated Get the Vax 2.0 plan and the upcoming fall semester at a virtual town hall Aug. 18, 9 a.m. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to submit questions in advance using this form. A link to access the Town Hall will be available soon.
Prepare for fall with Teaching Support events
Visit the new Teaching Support events calendar to learn about professional development opportunities for instructors. Featured for fall are several offerings to help you prepare for flexible teaching or a blended environment. Other session topics include teaching with technology; student mental health; diversity, equity, and inclusion; planning courses with common disability accommodations in mind; academic honesty; and more.
Teach with a flexible approach this fall
Regardless of an instructor’s teaching modality (face-to-face, hybrid/blended, fully online), as learned with the pandemic, unexpected events can demand flexibility in one’s approach. University of Minnesota teaching and learning support experts were interviewed about how instructors might plan for flexibility. Read excerpts from their conversation for insights and recommendations.
Security update for Google Drive file links
On Sept. 13, Google will apply a security update to some University of Minnesota Google Drive accounts that may affect links to some files and result in new requests for access to those files. If you received an email from Google that you own files that are impacted, review the list of files and either distribute the new links for your files or delete files that are no longer needed.
Fall 2021 Grant-in-Aid competition
Applications will be accepted starting Aug. 23 for the fall 2021 Grant-in-Aid of Research, Artistry, and Scholarship program, sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR). The program supports the University’s MPact 2025 strategic plan and academic excellence through the promotion of research, scholarly, and artistic activities of faculty. It provides seed funding for a wide range of projects in seven funding categories, including a multicultural research category. OVPR is especially interested in supporting entrepreneurial or collaborative projects that could result in near-term impact. The deadline to submit applications to approvers is Sept. 20; the deadline for approvers to submit final applications is Sept. 23.
New Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award for faculty
The Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Award is a new award honoring tenure-system faculty, term/contract faculty, and academic professional (P&A) teaching specialists and lecturers who have done significant research, teaching, or service/leadership to advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the University in the person's field of study, or in our broader community. Award recipients will receive $10,000 to support a course release or provide summer salary. The nomination deadline is Oct. 1.
DEI in the departments: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences shares six ingredients for success
Two Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences faculty share a model to develop diversity, equity, and inclusion committees to achieve actionable and measurable goals.
Osterholm Update: Divided by Delta
In episode 61 of the Osterholm Update, Michael Osterholm and Cory Anderson discuss the impact of the Delta variant and address misinformation about vaccines, mixed messaging challenges, and questions about seasonality. See all episodes of Osterholm Update.
COVID-19 vaccine immune response among immunocompromised patients
Understanding the differences in COVID-19 vaccine immune response among immunocompromised patients is the focus of a new national study led, in part, by the Medical School. The U of M’s arm of the study will compare immune responses in people with healthy immune systems alongside those with immunocompromised systems. The study is recruiting both healthy and immunocompromised people who haven't been vaccinated yet or who were vaccinated in the last one to two months.
Research Brief: New technology will allow important metals to be made more efficiently
Twin Cities campus College of Science and Engineering researchers have invented a cheaper, safer, and simpler technology that will allow a “stubborn” group of metals and metal oxides to be made into thin films used in many electronics, computer components, and other applications. Additional recent Research Briefs include “Switching to plant-centered diet reduces risk of cardiovascular disease for young and middle adults,” “Improving professional networking outcomes for women,” “New study shows patients visiting their doctor after a flu patient are more likely to get the flu,” and “Discrimination and safety concerns are barriers to accessing healthy food for food-insecure emerging adults.”
U of M featured events
Aug. 13 - Get Back out to the Ballpark for Minnesota Twins U of M Day
Aug. 16 - Mindful Mondays: Qigong, Instructor Susan Flannigan
Aug. 17 - Bakken Center Mindfulness Programs Info Session
Aug. 19 - Object Etiquette Reception
Aug. 20-22 - Art in the Garden at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Aug. 23 - Teaching with Technology Retreat: Enhance your Syllabus and Welcome Students
Aug. 25 - Managing data and research materials bootcamp for new researchers and graduate students
Aug. 16-22 - Ox Cart Days
Get ready for Minnesota's biggest festival in a small town during Crookston's Ox Cart Days. Events and activities include a Taste of Crookston, the annual Ice Cream Social, a Hershey's Golden Ticket giveaway, arts and crafts, youth dodgeball, a talent show, a mud run, and more.
Alumnus gifts artwork to U of M Crookston
University of Minnesota Crookston alum Vanessa Robbins gave back to her alma mater for everything it gave her by providing two pieces of art that will be displayed on campus in the Office of Admissions.
Twu gives virtual tour of early editions of the Geneva Bible
On July 15, Krista Sue-Lo Twu, associate professor of Medieval & Renaissance Literature, gave participants a virtual peek into early editions of the Geneva Bible from the 16th and 17th century. In addition to these, UMD’s Ramseyer Northern Bible Society Collection includes 1,800 volumes in 410 languages. Twu’s talk was recorded and is available to view.
Developing culturally appropriate dementia care resources for American Indian caregivers
Jordan Lewis is partnering with the White Earth Band of Ojibwe to develop culturally appropriate dementia care resources for American Indian caregivers. The work focuses on reducing caregiver stress by confronting unaddressed agitation in elders and identifying triggers caused by the symptoms of dementia. Lewis’s previous work with Alaskan elders incorporated traditional sacred practices as caregiving strategies.
Dean and Ng earn President’s Award for Outstanding Service
Two members of the University of Minnesota Morris community have earned the University of Minnesota President’s Award for Outstanding Service: LeAnn Dean, director of Briggs Library, and Peh Ng, chair of the Division of Science and Mathematics and professor of mathematics. Their contributions to our community are much appreciated.
Colleges of Distinction
Colleges of Distinction has recognized the Rochester campus for exemplary student outcomes emanating from a commitment to engaged, experiential education. UMR confirms this honor and recognition for Career Development and Equity & Inclusion as a campus focused on research-based educational innovations that drive student success.
Medical Alley: ‘For the Record’
Medical Alley’s interest in the Rochester campus was documented recently in its “For the Record” feature. With looming talent shortages and troubling disparities in the healthcare sector, Medical Alley’s members are seeking solutions to educate a more diverse workforce. “This health-focused campus is driven to empower student success through educational innovation. The key principles? Students are at the center. Research informs practice. Partners make it possible,” says Chancellor Lori Carrell.
Building access: Use your U Card
There will continue to be limited public hours in certain campus buildings, while some buildings, based on use and occupancy, will require a U Card to enter. This change is part of a comprehensive safety plan. All faculty, staff, and students should carry their U Card at all times when on campus to ensure access. Additionally, more students than usual will need new U Cards this year. Faculty and staff needing a new U Card should avoid the lines, upload a photo, and pick up your card as early as possible.
Golden moments for a pair of Gophers
Gable Steveson culminated his brilliant run through the Olympics by scoring twice in the final seconds to win gold over Georgia’s Geno Petriashvili in the 125-kilogram class of freestyle wrestling. Steveson wasn’t the only Gopher to gain gold. Bowe Becker, who wrapped up a prolific career at Minnesota two years ago, won gold as part of the U.S.’s 4x100-meter freestyle relay in swimming. Read more about these gold medalists.
The secrets of hidden waterways
Trinity Ek is fascinated by the stories water tells, the way it shapes our landscape, and the role it’s played in the development of cities. Ek is studying how manipulating a creek’s path shaped several North Minneapolis neighborhoods. Learn more and see the changes to Bassett Creek over the years.
New Public Life Project prepares students to grapple with polarizing divisions and lead active public lives
Public life in the United States is fractured and even toxic, to a level where both individuals and communities can find it difficult to cross invisible but rigid political, religious, or regional lines. To help encourage connection and discussion across social and political lines, the College of Liberal Arts has launched the Public Life Project.
Racial-ethnic connectedness may help protect African American youth from adverse impacts of racism
A study led by Jessie Austin (MPH ’19) and Associate Professor Sonya Brady found that African American youth who felt more connected to their racial-ethnic identity and community have greater emotional well-being—even when experiencing racism.
Luxury products change behavior, and not in a good way
Professor Vladas Griskevicius and Professor Deborah Roedder John, along with Professor Yajin Wang, a former Carlson School PhD student now at the University of Maryland, explored how owning luxury products can affect people’s psychology and behavior. The researchers found that after using a luxury handbag, women exhibited more selfish behaviors, such as sharing fewer resources with others and contributing less money to charity, than those who used a non-luxury handbag.
Community living: A 30-year story
A newly published book produced by the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration tells the 30-year story of how people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities have lived, worked, and received support services as the United States transitioned away from institutional care. The White House recently cited the book during a briefing on the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Aug. 12 - Fall 2021 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute sampler
Experience the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) community of dedicated lifelong learners with this sampler of upcoming courses. Tom Rooney reveals when government has crossed into recreation in Sports, Politics, and Politicians; Jane King Hession covers Three Eras of Frank Lloyd Wright and his contributions to American culture; and Mark Thomas explores issues of substance abuse in Of Neuroscience and Addiction. Learn about the benefits of membership with OLLI at the online event and sign up to receive the course guide.
Northrop announces 2021-22 season
Northrop will welcome back audiences with its 2021-22 season. The season includes nine renowned companies in the dance series, three organ concerts in the music series, a film series centered around dance, plus related artist events offered throughout the year, newly commissioned works, co-presentations with Twin Cities arts community partners, and multiple premieres of pieces never seen before in this region. While in-person performances make a return, many events are also offered as livestream and on-demand options.