- February Board of Regents meeting.
- Features: A world under glass; The grit to succeed in construction; Where it starts.
- Awards and Recognition: The March of Dimes has named Michael Georgieff the recipient of the 2020 Agnes Higgins Award; and more.
Feb. 11-12 - Board of Regents meeting
During its February meeting, the Board of Regents will discuss student diversity and academic outcomes in three focus areas: diversity in recruitment and admissions, student success and addressing achievement gaps, and supporting diversity and success in the University’s Graduate School. Regents will also discuss employee compensation as part of an annual report, receive an overview of comparative tuition rates and strategies for the Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and Rochester campuses, act on a set of guiding principles for future campus master planning, and more. See the news release for more details.
A world under glass
After months of preparation, the new home of the College of Biological Sciences Conservatory was ready to open to the public in March 2020—just as COVID-19 closed down campus and sent students and faculty home. But while human lives were turned upside down, the 1,800 plant species inside the glass greenhouses grew and thrived, thanks to a dedicated curator, student workers, volunteers, and the generosity of donors. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside. Explore further with a video from the College of Biological Sciences.
The grit to succeed in construction
From the moment she arrived at the U of M, Aalayha Robb wasted no time in diving into a full course load. Having nurtured a passion for interior design and architecture from a young age, Robb knew she wanted to major in architecture. But as she flew through the courses and completed requirements far ahead of schedule, she asked herself what else she could study. So Robb added a major in construction management—a male-dominated industry that would allow her to implement and actually manage the building process, bringing a set of blueprints to life.
Where it Starts
“Where it Starts” is a collection of personal stories that highlights the incredible accomplishments of members of our Black community during their journey at the University of Minnesota. In “So much pain, so much joy,” student Manyi Ayuk reflects on the dualities she’s experienced as a Cameroonian American and as an activist for social change. In “From planted seeds,” student Bryant Jones talks about an idea that grew into a garden after cooking for 20-hour days to feed the thousands who gathered after George Floyd’s killing. And in “Reflections on the Morrill takeover,” Gbemi Oyetunde builds on the legacy of U of M student leaders from ’69.
Awards and Recognition
The March of Dimes has named Michael Georgieff the recipient of the 2020 Agnes Higgins Award; Christina Ewig and Brittany Lewis have been appointed to Minnesota’s Women’s Economic Security Task Force; Nicholas Jarjour has been named a Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Fellow; Catherine Kotz has been named president of The Obesity Society; Bonnie Keeler has been named a 2021 Fellow of the Earth Leadership Program; Northrop has received a $40,000 National Endowment for the Arts award to support the Northrop Dance Series; U in the News features highlights of U faculty and staff cited in the media. Awards and Recognition
Updates to Emergency Paid Leave regarding COVID-19 vaccination reaction
Faculty, staff, and student workers who have an adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine and need time off to recover can use the University Emergency Paid Leave for COVID-19. This leave can also be used to care for a family member who experiences a reaction to the vaccine. More information on eligibility and leave time is available from the Office of Human Resources. If you or a loved one already took time off due to a reaction to the vaccine, consult with your unit’s administrator or HR staff.
Study shows enhanced accuracy of CMV detection method in newborn screening
In Minnesota, there are currently about 60 diseases that all newborns are screened for at birth. Of those, newborn infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) is most common, and it is ranked as the most prevalent infectious disease in the U.S. and Europe that causes birth defects, long-term disabilities, and deafness in babies. A new U of M study has used improved techniques to show that the dried blood spot taken at birth can find CMV infection in the newborn with almost 90 percent accuracy.
New approach to treating arrhythmia negates risk associated with current medications
Sam Dudley, Department of Medicine, has developed a completely new paradigm for treating arrhythmias that reduces much of the risk associated with current treatments.
Talking cancer prevention with U of M
February is National Cancer Prevention Month. In Minnesota there will be an estimated 33,260 new cancer cases in 2021. Professor Timothy Church answers questions on lifestyle changes people can make to reduce their risk of getting cancer.
Educators assist with Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Course
The Minnesota Army National Guard requested educational assistance from Extension Family Development for their Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Course. Five Extension educators provided virtual education via Zoom with 20 soldiers in early January. The weeklong course identifies and changes lifestyle health behaviors and increases retention of soldiers who have weight and physical fitness challenges. The course helps soldiers build physical, mental, and spiritual readiness.
Seeing child labor
David Parker has been taking photos of child labor for more than three decades. An occupational medicine physician with the School of Public Health, Parker began researching young workers in Minnesota and subsequently began photographing them in Mexico. He has since traveled the world documenting the lives of working children in factories and fields, in streets, and in homes. His work can now be viewed in the online exhibit “Seeing Child Labor through the Photography of David L. Parker.”
Growing with John Thull
John Thull's work as a research professional at the Horticultural Research Center for the past 15 years has provided him a unique opportunity to watch and taste the results of the University of Minnesota's development of cold-hardy grapes, as they've revolutionized the wine industry in Minnesota and other cold climates. Read more about Thull and his contributions to the Horticultural Research Center.
U of M Extension: 12 weeks of winter activities
U of M Extension has a list of activities to keep you busy for the rest of Minnesota's longest season. For each of the next several weeks, Extension will share a new nature activity for you to try. The series kicked off with “12 weeks of winter: Go owling,” and has featured birding, stargazing, wildlife tracking, and more.
Timely teaching guides and webinars
The Center for Educational Innovation offers curated resources with pedagogical suggestions and inspiration to support educators, students, and learning during these challenging times. Join its upcoming webinars on timely topics: Calling Students into Challenging Conversations, Inclusive Teaching Basics, and Trauma-Informed Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
March 1 deadline: D2D State Fair Research Opportunity
There is still room for your study at the D2D Research Facility this summer. D2D is for faculty, staff, and students from any department to recruit from among the two million fairgoers for onsite human-subjects research. We encourage research teams to apply; no one will be charged fees if the fair is cancelled. A brief online application is due March 1.
U of M featured virtual events
Feb. 11 - New Women’s Faculty Cabinet workshop series: Let’s Talk!
Feb 11 - Finding Patterns: Quilts inspired by Cedar Creek history and research
Feb. 17 - A new era for vaccines? A Petri Dish conversation
Feb. 18 - Anti-Racism Work: Dismantling your Practice
Feb. 18 - The Resilience of American Democracy
Feb. 24 - Did the Black Lives Matter Protests Matter?
Feb. 25 - Maroon and Gold Connections: Virtual career networking event
Crookston alum Wemimo Abbey featured in NY Times
U of M Crookston graduate Wemimo Abbey ’13 is helping people in New York City navigate the pandemic through Esusu Rent, an app used by renters in affordable housing units that boosts credit scores when rent is paid on time. The New York Times recently featured Abbey and his work.
Blending anatomy with an anthropological perspective
Alexandra Zachwieja, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the U of M Medical School, Duluth Campus, brings her research in human evolutionary anatomy to the classroom to provide a new perspective on how climate, environment, and competition for resources may have influenced early humans and their structural anatomy. She believes this knowledge will help students to understand future human health/environmental issues, such as issues regarding access to freshwater.
March 2-4 - 2021 Virtual Summit on Equity, Race, and Ethnicity
UMD’s Summit on Equity, Race, and Ethnicity, entitled “Being Antiracist, Doing Antiracism,” will be held virtually. The first two days will feature guest speakers and workshops. The third day will offer a Racial Justice Organization Fair to encourage participants to get involved and take action. Registration is required. The event is sponsored by UMD’s Commission on Equity, Race, and Ethnicity.
Johnson named Founders Scholar
Associate Professor Rachel Johnson has been named the 9th U of M Morris Founders Scholar. For her Founders Scholar project, Johnson will explore issues core to U of M Morris and the national landscape, “advocating for liberal arts colleges, and specifically U of M Morris, to be recognized as an ideal educational setting to train future healthcare professionals.”
State of the Campus Address
Chancellor Carrell, alumnus Brady Zell, Dr. Jessie Barnett, and UMR student Nevaeh Nez share how this resilience-building year of agility situated the University of Minnesota Rochester for the future in the State of the Campus Address.
Light & Shade: The Cultural Politics of Black History Month
As part of a national pantheon of ethnic heritage month celebrations, Black History Month might be seen as a cultural marker that invites us to reflect on the history, culture, and politics of our nation's vibrant and diverse African American population. Andrew Williams, assistant vice chancellor of student success, engagement, and equity, reflects on Black History Month.
Efficient power to the people
As technology becomes more mobile and wireless, people are demanding faster and faster Internet connection speeds. College of Science and Engineering professor Rhonda Franklin is at the forefront of that revolution. Franklin’s lab is working to create more energy efficient circuits so that devices can function at higher frequencies, which will be key in creating technology for the next generation of 6G and 7G wireless networks.
The new old age
As we age and our immune system becomes less efficient, senescent cells—damaged cells that have stopped dividing—accumulate and contribute to inflammation. This sets the stage for illnesses associated with aging. Laura Niedernhofer and her colleagues at the University’s Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism believe that by targeting senescent cells there’s a good chance they can mitigate some of the worst effects of aging.
First-of-its-kind medical truck launches in the Twin Cities metro to treat cardiac arrest patients
Part of the Minnesota Mobile Resuscitation Consortium, a new truck outfitted with medical equipment and virtual reality technology will help experts attend to cardiac arrest patients remotely. The vehicle is an innovative step in providing care to cardiac arrest patients who need to be placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
New cancer clinic opens at M Health Fairview’s Clinics and Surgery Center
A new cancer clinic has opened at M Health Fairview’s Clinics and Surgery Center on the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota. The clinic, known as the Developmental Therapeutics Clinic, will offer clinical trials that have just left the laboratory, called Phase 1 cancer clinical trials. It is a collaboration between the University of Minnesota Medical School, M Health Fairview, and the Masonic Cancer Center.
Advantages and equity concerns: Working from home in a COVID-19 world
Telecommuting has become the norm for many Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote work has distinct advantages in these socially distanced times but also comes with equity concerns, as highlighted in research by Adeel Lari, director of innovative financing with the State and Local Policy Program at the Humphrey School. Explore telecommuting trends.
Avenues to Black history
Starting in the mid-1970s, U.S. Presidents have annually proclaimed February to be Black History Month. Yet people can explore Black history any month, taking online avenues through primary source materials and special collections available through the Libraries.
Feb. 18 - Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE 35th anniversary season
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE’s body of work blends contemporary, African, Caribbean, and social dance forms to express spirituality, African-American and diaspora culture, and the beauty of movement in many forms. For this special online program, the company has assembled a selection of solos and duets from their repertory.