- Features: 'Surreal' experience for students in Puerto Rico during earthquakes; Managing stormwater runoff with local materials; Students seek change in mental health disclosure requirements.
- People: James Cloyd III has been selected to receive the 2020 Tyler Prize for Stimulation of Research; and more.
'Surreal' experience for students in Puerto Rico during earthquakes
A group of University of Minnesota faculty and students in Puerto Rico researching energy resiliency got a first-hand lesson when earthquakes struck. The group had been studying the island’s post-hurricane energy infrastructure when the disaster upended their schedule, but gave them an unexpected and profound experience that they say provides a greater understanding of the challenges faced by the residents of Puerto Rico.
Managing stormwater runoff with local materials
Managing stormwater runoff from roadways is a top regulatory and environmental priority for highway departments. However, accomplishing this goal often requires costly commercial materials and hauling operations. Researchers are investigating the use of previously discarded natural materials close to construction sites for stormwater management, and a recent study shows this approach has tremendous cost-saving potential.
Students seek change in mental health disclosure requirements
Medical School students Brianna Engelson, Jennifer Zick, and Sameena Ahmed-Buehler are advocating to remove barriers for health care professionals who themselves are seeking care for mental health. Their experiences support the oft-quoted statistic that one in three to four medical students screen positive for depression, but only about 15 percent seek treatment. The students are committed to changing the stigma around mental health for health care students and professionals.
People
James Cloyd III has been selected to receive the 2020 Tyler Prize for Stimulation of Research; Philip Portoghese has been selected to receive the 2020 Research Achievement Award in the Pharmaceutical Sciences; Sylia Wilson has won the Robins/Guze Award from the American Psychopathological Association; U in the News features highlights of U faculty and staff cited in the media. People
Speaking Science: Tips for communicating effectively about science
U of M faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students recently came together to hone their science communication and storytelling skills at the University of Minnesota Speaking Science conference. The event is designed to help scientists more effectively share their knowledge and research with audiences outside of academia. Explore some of the takeaways for communicating effectively about science.
Departmental accounts required to annually reset passwords
Beginning in February and over the next year, departmental accounts will be required to reset U of M internet account passwords or enroll in Duo Security. In preparation, departmental account users should verify access to their departmental account and update contact information.
Planting winter berries for wildlife
Those who enjoy watching wildlife in the fall and winter might consider planting trees, shrubs, or vines that produce berries. Berries are an important food source for winter birds such as the black-capped chickadee, cedar waxwing, and cardinal. The berries' bright, showy colors naturally attract birds and help them conserve energy instead of foraging for other food sources. Learn more about winter berries for wildlife.
Summer adventures for budding scientists
Bell Museum summer camps provide a fun and enriching environment that encourages campers to explore their scientific passions and discover new interests. Led by talented educators, Bell summer camps include weekly hands-on investigations, planetarium visits, games, creative projects, field trips around the University’s Twin Cities campus, and more. Bell camps run June-August. Member registration opens Feb. 8. Registration for the general public opens Feb. 17.
Institute on the Environment announces new Impact Goals RFP
The Institute on the Environment will award seed funding of up to $50,000 to select projects centered around its three Impact Goals: sustainable land use, a carbon-neutral Minnesota, and clean drinking water. U of M faculty interested in community-engaged scholarship are encouraged to apply. The work must have a Minnesota focus and involve a community partner. Proposals are due Feb. 28.
March 4 - Research Ethics Conference 2020
Join national experts in “The Power and Perils of Research Data,” a conference focusing on the ethical and legal challenges raised by data collection, analysis, storage, and sharing. Topics include data ethics; ensuring replicability; data security and privacy; and respecting research participant data choices. The event is part of the University’s Research Ethics Week. Register to attend. 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Coffman Theater.
Center for Writing research grants
The Center for Writing’s Interdisciplinary Studies of Writing (ISW) program offers research grants to support inquiry into writing in and across disciplines. ISW-funded projects investigate what happens at the intersections of teaching with and learning through writing. Funding is available for focused research projects that address educational needs or research gaps in a field or discipline. Letters of intent are due March 6.
2020 Research Infrastructure Investment Program
Letters of intent are due March 9 for the Research Infrastructure Investment Program, administered by the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR). OVPR is committed to encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration and facilitating strong core facilities as the backbone for research excellence. To ensure the viability of existing, critical facilities and research support services, this funding will be directed toward new or existing facilities, service centers, or other shared resources across the University system. Matching funds are required. Proposals are due by Apr. 7.
Call for proposals: 2020-21 Faculty Interactive Research Program
The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs invites proposals for its Faculty Interactive Research Program. The program supports interactive public policy research between University of Minnesota faculty and community organizations or government agencies in Minnesota, with up to $45,000 in funding per award. Apply by March 16.
Research Brief: U.S. rural breast cancer patients must routinely travel long distances for treatment
The closing of rural hospitals and specialty care units is causing many people, including breast cancer patients, to seek treatment far from home. A University of Minnesota School of Public Health study recently found that U.S. rural breast cancer patients typically travel three times farther than urban women for radiation therapy. Additional recent Research Briefs include “Mothers on antiepileptic medication can safely breastfeed.”
Crookston students create marketing plan for H&S Manufacturing
H&S Manufacturing recently worked with Crookston students on its marketing strategy. Courtney Bergman, a marketing lecturer, developed the project as part of the Integrated Marketing Communications course.
Men's hockey returns to American Collegiate Hockey Association
The University of Minnesota Crookston has announced it is bringing back men’s hockey as a member of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). The Golden Eagles will compete in ACHA Division II, in the Central Region, beginning with the 2020-21 season.
Keeping clean water clean
University Honors alumna Sydney Arens ’17 (BS, biology) and first-year University Honors student Isaac Conrad joined KUMD Radio host Lisa Johnson on Green Visions to talk about their work with Our Mississippi Our Future, a coalition dedicated to educating Minnesotans about the benefits of investing in water conservation.
LSBE re-accredited
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) has re-accredited the Labovitz School of Business and Economics. To earn accreditation, excellence is required in areas relating to strategic management and innovation; student, faculty, and staff as active participants; learning and teaching rigor; scholarly research; and academic and professional engagement. LSBE was first accredited by AACSB International in 2000.
UMD earns sustainability gold
The Office of Sustainability recently announced that UMD has elevated its rating to Gold in the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) program. Sustainability is reported in five categories: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership. UMD was one of only 128 campuses across the globe to earn a Gold rating this year.
Schrunk Ericksen named vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean
U of M Morris has named Janet Schrunk Ericksen vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean. An internationally recognized medieval scholar, Ericksen has served the Morris campus since 1998. She has been the interim vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean since 2017.
Morris welcomes Distinguishing Visiting Professor in the Liberal Arts
This spring U of M Morris welcomes Sally Campbell Galman as Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Liberal Arts. Galman is an expert in child and family studies and arts-based research. She is teaching two courses this semester: The Subversive Classroom, and Creative Research in Gender, Childhoods, and Families. Galman will also give two public lectures.
Morris students to present research in Ireland
Four U of M Morris students will present their research at the 70th annual Irish History Students' Association conference in Dublin, Ireland. Inspired by a conversation with author David Ebershoff, the students worked with Distinguished McKnight University Professor of English Michael Lackey to research the nature of biofiction. Their collaboration illustrates the kinds of opportunities students have at U of M Morris.
Paying it forward through scholarships
Jim Clausen would not have been able to attend college had it not been for an anonymous donor who offered to pay for all four years of his studies. Today, as a retiree, Clausen is dedicated to paying it forward by sponsoring two scholarships at University of Minnesota Rochester.
Staff of Senators Klobuchar and Smith visit UMR
Staff from Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Tina Smith visited the UMR campus on Jan. 29 and observed the commitment of UMR faculty and staff. Their visit included an undergraduate research poster session, campus tour, student mental health roundtable, and more.
Q&A with Wendy Pradt Lougee
Wendy Pradt Lougee is retiring Feb. 27 after more than 17 years as University librarian and dean of libraries. In this Q&A, Lougee reflects on her career and the changing nature of university research libraries.
Apply for the Writing-Enriched Curriculum Program
The innovative Writing-Enriched Curriculum Program is currently enrolling undergraduate departments into its 16th cohort. Representatives from any undergraduate department are invited to submit a letter of interest. Each year, three-to-five departments, colleges, or schools are selected to begin the process. Take advantage of this faculty-driven, funded, and transformative opportunity.
Feb. 12-14 - WAM Shop Sweetheart Sale
Stop by the Weisman Shop during the Sweetheart Sale and pick up something artful for the special people in your life, including accessories and jewelry, cards, and handmade gifts. U of M faculty, staff, and students receive 20 percent off during the sale.
Feb. 14 - Douglass Day transcribe-a-thon
In commemoration of writer, orator, and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, join the Center for Writing’s Douglass Day transcribe-a-thon. This year, the event will involve the papers of Anna Julia Cooper (1858-1964), author of A Voice from the South by a Black Woman of the South. Training in transcription will be available. 15 Nicholson Hall, anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Hire a summer Step Up intern
The Step Up program, a nationally recognized youth internship program, provides summer internship opportunities for youth ages 14-21 from Minneapolis who have not yet enrolled in a post-secondary opportunity. Help introduce young people to a career field and support diversity, inclusion, and equity work on campus by hiring a Step Up high school intern this summer. Learn more at a brown-bag lunch session (register) on Feb. 19, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 402 Walter Library.
Feb. 20 - Writing and Spatial Thinking panel
In this panel (register), instructors will share examples of writing assignments that integrate spatial technologies, provide samples of student work, and discuss ways to incorporate spatial reasoning and tools into the classroom. Lunch included. Noon-1:30 p.m., 12 Nicholson Hall.
Feb. 28 - Circle of Indigenous Nations Special Speaker Series: John Marshall III
Join the Circle of Indigenous Nations for the first event in its spring speaker series, featuring actor, author, and storyteller John Marshall III. No charge and open to the public. 6 p.m., Jones Hall Auditorium.
March 18 - Gallery talk and tour: ‘Elizabeth Scheu Close: A Life in Modern Architecture’
Elizabeth Scheu Close was Minnesota’s first modern architect and the designer of more than 250 buildings in the state. A trailblazer in her field, she remains a role model for women in architecture today. This gallery talk and tour will feature remarks by author Jane King Hession, historian and emeritus professor Gary Cohen, and Roy Close, son of Elizabeth Scheu Close and Win Close. 4 p.m., 225 Rapson Hall.
UMTC Featured Events
Through March 28 - The Beginning of Everything: An Exhibition of Drawings
Feb. 8 - The Literature of Retirement
Feb. 12 - University Symphony Orchestra in Concert with Seongkyeong Kim, winner of the 2019-20 USO Concerto Competition
Feb. 13 - Who Will Write Our History? Rediscovering a Hidden Archive From the Warsaw Ghetto
Feb. 15 - AMPLIFIED: 52nd Annual Fashion Show
Feb. 16 - Winter Art Fair at the Arboretum
Feb. 21 - Purpose and a Paycheck: Finding Meaning, Money, and Happiness in the Second Half of Life
Feb. 22-23 - Ballet West