Notice: Brief will not publish on Dec. 28, Jan. 4, and Jan. 11.
- Board of Regents meets Dec. 15-16.
- Researchers use ultrasound waves to move objects hands-free.
- Feature: Aging well.
- Awards and Recognition: The College of Pharmacy has been awarded a $6.5 million contract to continue work on contraceptive development; and more.
Board of Regents meets Dec. 15-16
For the second year in a row, the University’s research enterprise exceeded $1 billion in sponsored research awards. The University’s new VP for Research Shashank Priya will share this and other details during the December Board of Regents meeting. The Board is also expected to discuss progress toward MPact 2025 enrollment goals with UMD leaders, review potential enhancements to the Board’s public engagement approach, review the University’s annual performance and accountability report, learn about a potential new rural health academic partnership, and more. See the news release for more.
Researchers use ultrasound waves to move objects hands-free
University of Minnesota researchers have discovered a new method to move objects using ultrasound waves. The research opens the door for using contactless manipulation in industries such as manufacturing and robotics, where devices wouldn’t need a built-in power source in order to move.
Aging well
Aging is complex and connected to nearly every aspect of life, from how we handle disease to how we design crosswalks. It’s this complexity that inspired the School of Public Health to create the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation (CHAI), which promotes research, teaching, and community involvement to make the culminating years of life better for everyone. “People from anywhere, any department on any campus, can bring an idea, as long as it’s about aging,” says Tetyana Shippee, CHAI associate director of research.
Awards and Recognition
The College of Pharmacy has been awarded a $6.5 million contract to continue work on contraceptive development; Jamie Darin Prenkert has been named as the next dean of the Carlson School of Management; the U of M Landscape Arboretum's Farm at the Arb Apprenticeship Program has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the USDA for its new VeggieRx project; Siobhan McMahon has been named a Distinguished Educator by the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence; Manka Nkimbeng has received an NIH career development grant to focus on immigrant health; a U of M team has won the Interprofessional Geriatric Case Competition; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.
A simpler way to request a leave of absence
Faculty and staff who need to take parental, medical, personal, or military leave can request and manage leave with help from a dedicated specialist in the Office of Human Resources (OHR). Start a request using the “My Time” tab in MyU, email [email protected], or call 612-624-8647 or 800-756-2363. OHR will communicate with your supervisor and local HR and handle FMLA tracking.
Seeking applicants: Technology Commercialization Fellowship
The Technology Commercialization Fellowship is a unique opportunity for those with an advanced degree in sciences, engineering, or technology to gain valuable experience in technology transfer, marketing, and licensing. Fellows work closely with technology commercialization staff to evaluate, market, and license technologies and facilitate corporate research partnerships. Learn more and apply.
Funding opportunity: Apply to be a CGHSR Scholar
The University's Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility seeks applications for CGHSR Scholars—doctoral students, postdocs, and recent master's-level graduates who complete 8-12 months of mentored research at any international study site. Scholars will work on an active health-related research study led by faculty from the U of M and/or from their partner institution, and receive a stipend, travel funding, and more. Apply by Jan. 14.
MnDRIVE Environment seed grant funding
MnDRIVE Environment’s 2023 Seed Grant program supports research that advances sustainable solutions to three major environmental grand challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Letters of intent are due Jan. 27. See proposal submission requirements and deadlines.
Spring 2023 Grant-in-Aid Competition
The Grant-in-Aid of Research, Artistry, and Scholarship program, sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR), 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 Feb. 6; the deadline for approvers to submit final applications is Feb 9. Applications will be accepted starting Jan. 3.
Submit nominations for Outstanding Service to University Senate Governance
The nomination deadline for the 2023 Vickie R. Courtney Award for Outstanding Service to University Senate Governance is March 3. This award, which honors Vickie R. Courtney, long-time director of the University Senate Office, recognizes faculty, academic professional and administrative staff, civil service staff, and students systemwide who have made a significant impact on University Senate governance. Recipients of the award receive a one-time $1,000 stipend.
Research Brief: Shared automated vehicles could make cities more livable, equitable
New research from the University of Minnesota shows how, by planning carefully for automated vehicles, we could make the most of this technology revolution to improve transportation and make it more equitable for all.
Dec. 20 - CEI director search public forum
Attend a public forum for a finalist for director of the Center for Educational Innovation. The director provides vision and leadership for CEI to advance institutional, campus, and collegiate priorities for effective teaching and student success across the University system. Register for the Zoom forum. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jan. 10 - Faculty workshop: Use learning analytics: Create a strong learning path for your students
The first four weeks of the semester are directly linked to student academic success. This hands-on session connects learning analytics to classroom practice at the beginning of the semester and draws on the Unizin Stepping Stones Learning Analytics Curriculum. This cross-institutional effort prepares faculty to use learning data ethically and effectively. 2:30-4 p.m.
Jan. 11-13 - University of Minnesota Day of Data
Join in this virtual event series that fosters data enthusiasm, data literacy, and critical thinking around the role of data across the University and in society as a whole. This year will have a special emphasis on community engagement and sustainability topics. Open to all faculty, staff, students, and alumni systemwide.
Crookston professor an expert on the concept of gaslighting
Merriam-Webster recently announced “gaslighting” as the word of the year for 2022. Rosemary Johnsen, professor and division head for business, arts, and education, is an expert on Patrick Hamilton, whose 1938 stage play Gas Light created the label for the concept. Johnsen had an essay published in the Los Angeles Review of Books in 2017 when gaslighting became a frequently discussed topic.
Crookston holds first pickleball tournament
UMC Teambackers recently held its first annual Pickleball Tournament, raising $1,100 for University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Athletics. Participants came from all over the region. See the winners. The next pickleball tournament will be in spring 2023.
Globally engaged
Dan Nolan, assistant professor of German studies, received a 2022 University of Minnesota Award for Global Engagement. He has made many outstanding contributions to global education and international programs, including helping faculty develop international learning experiences that connect students with peers in countries around the world.
‘Office Hours’ with Ariuna Taivan
In this episode of “Office Hours,” UMD talks with Ariuna Taivan, an associate professor of economics. Taivan “genuinely” loves economics. She helps her students understand how people can use limited resources in the most productive way. Taivan appreciates the evaluations she receives at the end of the semester. Her students describe her as “knowledgeable,” “awesome,” “kind,” “stylish,” and “always available to help.”
Minimum wage and poverty
UMD student and scholarship recipient Aidan Kray ’23 examined the connection between minimum wage and poverty for his University Honors program capstone project. Kray examined the gross domestic product, minimum wages, poverty rates, and unemployment rates, for starters—and he found connections. Kray’s research was well-received by hundreds of business people at the 2022 Minnesota and Wisconsin Regional Economic Indicators Forum.
Lagasse honored by NAFSA
Ray Lagasse, assistant director of Equity, Diversity and Intercultural Programs at U of M Morris, has received the NAFSA: Association of International Educators Region IV Distinguished Service Award.
Morris creates lifelong community, career for international student
"Something you'll never be at Morris is alone, because Morris always brings a community that has your back," says Khondoker Yasin “Ahnaf” Prio ’19. Ahnaf, from Dhaka, Bangladesh, was the first of his family to move to America seeking a higher education. His love of learning and coding led him to collaborate with friends on a startup business during the pandemic. They developed Tavolo, a dining app that allows users to make reservations and pay for food. Fifty restaurants in the Twin Cities area use the platform.
Patient Care Pathway
Discover how Emily Padilla navigated her time at UMR to prepare her for dental school at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. UMR's innovative degree programs and integrated curriculum provide students with a foundational health sciences education into six distinct health career pathways. Learn more about UMR’s Patient Care Pathway.
Beyond the Nest: ‘Whatever You Do, Try to Be Good At It’
In this episode of UMR’s alumni podcast Beyond the Nest, 2020 graduate Bradley Craker chats with his former student success coach Anna Ribikawskis. The two discuss Craker’s unique journey after UMR, building confidence, and sharing advice for current students.
School of Nursing, Mayo Clinic form collaboratory to further advance nursing
The University of Minnesota School of Nursing and the Mayo Clinic Department of Nursing have formed a collaboratory for the improvement of nursing practice, education, and health outcomes. Initially, the partnership will center on fostering innovative undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate education degree opportunities and experiences at Mayo Clinic and advancing nursing knowledge. The partnership also will address nursing workforce needs to support a smooth transition of graduates into practice.
At the intersection of art and science
Maria Park spends her days studying tree communities. The Ecology, Evolution and Behavior PhD student is a keen observer of nature who turns those observations into insights about how trees influence one another. Park, who is a trained artist and serves as a teaching assistant for the University’s Art and Ecology course, produced the art for the College of Biological Science’s year-end card.
Breaking medicine’s language barrier
Though up to his ears in work as a medical student, Sinibaldo Romero Arocha volunteered for countless hours at Minneapolis’ Phillips Neighborhood Clinic. Experiences there opened his eyes to gaps in education at the U of M Medical School. Along with the national Latino Medical School Association, Romero Arocha proposed a Medical Spanish pilot program to improve students’ fluency and ability to care for Spanish-speaking patients.
UMTC featured events
Dec. 14 - Beyond the Pandemic: Twin Cities Music Showcase
Dec. 15 - Dealing with Election Disinformation on the Front Lines
Dec. 16-31 - Heart & Solstice at the Bell Museum
Dec. 16 - Identity in the Classroom
Dec. 19 - Mindful Mondays: Drop-In Sessions
Dec. 20 - Health Equity Seminar Series
See the full Events Calendar