Notice: Brief will not publish on Dec. 27, Jan. 3, and Jan. 10.
- Features: Seeking equity in aging; Caring for Piper and her life-threatening birthmarks.
- Awards and Recognition: Roger Ruan has been named a National Academy of Inventors Fellow; and more.
Seeking equity in aging
As the U.S. is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse, Minnesota—still a majority-white state—generally gets high marks for care of older adults. But a closer look shows that often doesn’t extend equally to older adults who are Black, American Indian, or low income. Assistant Professor Shekinah Fashaw-Walters and Professor Tetyana Shippee are researching racial and ethnic disparities in care for older adults.
Caring for Piper and her life-threatening birthmarks
Despite undergoing treatment for a painful and dangerous birthmark, 4-year-old Piper's journey hasn't shaken her confidence. “It’s a relief, having that dark time behind us,” says mother Hailey. See how the pediatric dermatology “dream team” at M Health Fairview worked wonders for Piper.
Awards and Recognition
Roger Ruan has been named a National Academy of Inventors Fellow; Zhi-Li Zhang has received a $4.25 million NSF grant for his work on autonomous vehicles; researchers from the U of M Medical School have received $3 million for a multicenter study to demonstrate clinical trial readiness of MRI biomarkers; School of Public Health and Medical School researchers have received a $2 million FDA award to develop and implement clinical practice guidelines for pain management of patients undergoing minimally invasive abdominal surgery; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.
Artist-in-Residence program to fund two projects in 2024
The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) has funded two projects through the inaugural Artist-in-Residence program. The projects, led by Associate Professor Kathryn Nuernberger and Professor Jenny Schmid, will bring art and science together to illuminate important questions and big ideas. RIO is providing approximately $50,000 to fund these two projects, which are expected to be displayed or performed in fall 2024.
2024-25 MnDRIVE Neuromodulation Research Fellowships
MnDRIVE Neuromodulation Research Fellowships will be awarded to outstanding graduate students (doctoral), postdoctoral trainees, and residents/clinical fellows pursuing research in neuromodulation. The deadline to apply is Jan. 19.
Due Feb. 2 - Nominations for 2024 U of M Public Engagement Awards
The Office for Public Engagement seeks nominations for the 2024 University of Minnesota President's Community-Engaged Scholar Award and Outstanding Community Service Awards. Email Amber Cameron at [email protected] with questions.
Spring 2024 Grant-in-Aid Competition opens Jan. 2
The Grant-in-Aid of Research, Artistry, and Scholarship program, sponsored by the Research and Innovation Office (RIO), provides seed funding for a wide range of projects in seven funding categories, including a multicultural research category. RIO 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. 5; the deadline for approvers to submit final applications to RIO is Feb. 8.
YourChoice Therapeutics begins first-in-human trial for male birth control pill
On Dec. 13, the first ever clinical trial of a hormone-free male birth control pill began in the U.K., a culmination of two decades of pioneering research from the College of Pharmacy’s Gunda Georg. The phase one clinical study is being conducted in partnership with YourChoice Therapeutics and Quotient Sciences.
When the holidays aren't joyful
Feeling blue around the holidays is common and includes symptoms such as worry, depression, feeling isolated, and an inability to enjoy festivities. According to a survey taken by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 66 percent of people feel lonely around the holidays, with half of respondents reporting they were unable to be with loved ones. The Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing offers tips about what to do when the holidays bring you down.
Talking addiction during the holidays with U of M
The holidays are right around the corner, which means more time with family and friends. It is important to recognize ways to keep each other healthy, considering celebrations may be accompanied by alcohol and substances, along with loved ones who struggle with addiction. Sheila Specker, U of M Medical School and M Health Fairview, talks about the effects the holidays can have on people with addictions. See more "Talking with U of M."
Research Brief: Diamonds are "forever," PFAS are not
PFAS (polyfluorinated chemicals) have come to be known as “forever chemicals” because they are extremely difficult to break down and can cause environmental harm over years and decades. Some scientists believe that biological breakdown of PFAS is impossible, but new research has taken a closer look at the problem and identified a path forward. See additional recent Research Briefs.
Fattal Anas selected for Emerging Technologies Faculty Fellowship Program
U of M Crookston assistant professor Al Fattal Anas has been selected to be a faculty fellow in the 2024-25 U of M Emerging Technologies Faculty Fellowship Program, which aims to help faculty weave artificial intelligence technology into their courses.
A vision for anthropized nature
U of M Crookston associate professor Eric Castle recently submitted a creative work, “Fremont Fields,” to the International Federation of Landscape Architects juried art competition, where his piece was selected as one of six finalists among artists from 27 countries. Jury comments about Castle’s submission call it “a compelling vision of anthropized nature … ”
NRRI plays key role in USGS Earth MRI
The U.S. Geological Survey’s Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (MRI) gathers magnetic data by aircraft to better understand the earth’s geology and locate geologic features that might have minerals that are vital to the nation’s economy. Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) geologists will be studying drill core samples from locations identified by the aerial survey and helping to map the results.
UMD Fulbright Scholars
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs named the U of M Duluth a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for U.S. Scholars in 2023. This recognition is given to the U.S. colleges and universities that produced the highest number of applicants selected for the 2022-23 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Read more about Fulbright scholars at UMD.
Students connect to Morris with barn quilts
First-year students in Professor Julia Dabbs's intellectual community art history course have created barn quilts for three nonprofits in Morris. Barn quilts are large, decorative quilt blocks painted on wood and displayed on the exterior of buildings such as barns and tell the story of the site where they hang. Dabbs says the course title, "Art + History, UMM+Community," sums up the goal of connecting with the community in a meaningful way.
Jazz Fest artists announced
An international list of guest artists has been announced for the 43rd UMM Jazz Fest, planned for Apr. 12. Among those who will participate is Dean Sorenson, associate professor and director of jazz studies at the U of M Twin Cities.
Students present research at virtual symposium
Twenty-three students in U of M Rochester public health classes presented public health projects and pilot research at the U of M fall Undergraduate Research Symposium. Students shared work on a variety of public health topics, including near-peer health science mentorship, water quality, emergency preparedness, grant writing, and health-in-all-policies, and more.
UMR Patient Care Pathway
Discover how McKenzie Bangasser navigated her time at UMR to prepare for a master’s degree in cardiovascular perfusion and her role on the Mayo Clinic perfusion team. UMR's innovative degree programs and integrated curriculum provide students with a foundational health sciences education for six distinct health career pathways. Learn more about UMR’s Patient Care Pathway.
Transformation, in progress
Since launching its strategic plan for antiracism in 2021, how has the School of Public Health changed? After more than two years of intentional action toward antiracism, equity, justice, and inclusion, the school shares the results of its biennial climate assessment.
Connecting Carlson building project launches
The Carlson School of Management recently celebrated the launch of the Connecting Carlson building project. It will transform core spaces within the school to promote greater student collaboration, elevate experiential learning opportunities, strengthen a sense of belonging, and enhance connections with the greater business community.
Hennepin Healthcare, U of M form nursing collaboratory
The School of Nursing and Hennepin Healthcare have formed a formal academic-practice partnership, or collaboratory, to generate, disseminate, and apply knowledge for the improvement of nursing practice, education, and patient outcomes. Nursing collaboratories aim to develop new strategies to enhance nursing education and recruit top talent into nursing.
UROC seeks applicants for Engaged Dissertation Fellows Program
The University of Minnesota Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) seeks applicants to its 2024-25 Josie R. Johnson UROC Engaged Dissertation Fellows Program. The program is designed for PhD students who are preparing for their dissertation research and developing as community engaged scholars doing research for the public good.
Pup Professors program brings together vet med students and volunteer dogs
In a clinical skills classroom at the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), small groups of first- and second-year veterinary students gather near exam tables. Excitement fills the air as they wait to meet today’s “Pup Professors”—a corps of owner-volunteered dogs playing the role of patients for the hour.
A smaller small home
Growing up in Cannon Falls, MN, Erin Card ’08 was one of those kids who loved making forts out of cardboard boxes. When Card enrolled at the U of M in 2004 to pursue a pre-professional degree in architecture, the “tiny house movement” had just begun. Today, Card is working on a grown-up version of her childhood passion as an architectural designer of custom tiny homes.
Featured events
Through Dec. 23 - Winter Music Series | Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Through Dec. 31 - Empathy at Scale exhibit
Ongoing - Mindful Mondays: Free Drop-In Sessions
Jan. 8 - Explore Teaching Uses of Zoom Whiteboard
Jan. 9 - Canvas Clinic: Spring 2024
Jan. 9 - The Stranglehold of Party
Jan. 11 - Three Strategies that Support Student Mental Health
Jan. 13 - Physics Force 2024 at Northrop
Jan. 17 - Webinar: Embodied Communication