July 19, 2023

Inside This Issue

Board of Regents July meeting highlights.
U of M, in partnership with DEED, invests $2.5M in venture capital funds.
Feature: The quietest place on Earth.
Awards and Recognition: OVPR has awarded $3.2 million to 19 projects as part of the Research Infrastructure Investment Program; and more.

Board of Regents July meeting highlights

During its July meeting, the Board of Regents heard a report from Karen Diver, the U of M’s senior adviser to the president on Native American affairs, updating the University’s efforts to rebuild and strengthen relationships with Tribal Nations and related programming. Regents also discussed public safety planning for the 2023-24 academic year and received annual reports from Gopher Athletics and the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. See the news release for more information.

U of M, in partnership with DEED, invests $2.5M in venture capital funds

The University of Minnesota will invest $2.5 million across multiple Minnesota venture capital funds that will ultimately benefit start-up companies in the state. This is the first in a series of significant investments stemming from a partnership announced last November with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to inject $34.5 million into Minnesota’s early-stage, venture-backed businesses.

The quietest place on Earth

For 53 years, Steve Orfield and his small team of auditory wizards have consulted with a staggering array of companies that range from roaring Harley Davidson to the whisper-quiet mattress maker Select Comfort. The goal? To improve how products sound and how buildings affect people. Meet the former U of M student who has built the quietest place in the world, a place so silent that national media have said it "will drive you crazy in 45 minutes."

Awards and Recognition

OVPR has awarded approximately $3.2 million to 19 projects as part of the Research Infrastructure Investment Program; announcing the recipients of the 2023 Award for Global Engagement; the Consortium for Workforce Research in Public Health has been awarded $4.2 million to evaluate the nation’s public health workforce and data systems; Saara DeWalt has been named as the next dean of the College of Biological Sciences; Melinda Pettigrew has been named as the next dean of the School of Public Health; Beth Lewis has been named vice provost for faculty and academic affairs; the Midwest Antiviral Drug Discovery Center has announced funding for six high-potential projects to further antiviral drug discovery; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.

Awards and Recognition

U-Wide News

Call for nominations: Systemwide University awards

Updated nomination instructions and due dates are now available for five systemwide University awards, including the McKnight Awards, the Distinguished Teaching Awards, and the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award. Learn more about University awards and nomination instructions.

Get help creating instructional media

Well-designed instructional media can be an effective way to enhance student learning outcomes as well as student enjoyment and satisfaction. The Center for Educational Innovation partners with faculty and instructors to create self-paced, interactive modules, graphically animated videos, and more. Learn more and start a no-cost collaboration.

Researchers unearth the mysteries of how Turkey’s East Anatolian fault formed

An international team led by the University of Minnesota has, for the first time, accurately determined the age and formation process of the East Anatolian fault, which runs from eastern to south-central Turkey and was involved in the creation of the Anatolian tectonic plate.

Researchers explore health impacts of homeless camp closures

The U.S. is experiencing a troubling upsurge in homelessness, with half a million people currently living outside on any given night. A School of Public Health project is the first to bring researchers, government agencies, and community organizations together to examine the issue of homeless camp closures.

Bringing healthcare services to people who most need them

Medical student Susan Molina became interested in mobile health for the opportunity to bring healthcare services to communities in need. Molina chose to volunteer with the U of M’s Mobile Health Initiative for the chance to work closely with different communities in Minnesota.

Research Brief: Clever fly offers lessons on advanced predator adaptations

Laphria saffrana, also known as the saffron robber fly

The saffron robber fly is an extremely fast bee-colored hunter that has to determine, while perched, which insects it wants to chase and eat. This is complicated by the fact that its eyes have poor resolution. If it targets the wrong bug, it could waste a lot of energy chasing after a poisonous meal. A U of M team researched how this beetle specialist hunts. The findings may help develop more sophisticated technologies to aid aerial navigation. See additional recent Research Briefs.

Talking cleft and craniofacial awareness with U of M

Cleft and craniofacial conditions are some of the most common birth defects nationally and worldwide, yet are often poorly understood by the public. Anna Thurmes with the School of Dentistry discusses the conditions for Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month. See more editions of "Talking with U of M."

Crookston

Northwest School of Agriculture hosts reunion at U of M Crookston

Northwest School of Agriculture classmates and friends gathered to reminisce, reconnect, and celebrate their 2023 All-School Reunion in late June on the Crookston campus. More than 120 alumni and friends were in attendance and this year’s Top Aggies were honored during the annual luncheon and program.

Crookston volleyball to host camps in early August

Crookston volleyball players on the court

The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program will hold camps in August at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles will host a Youth Development Camp Aug. 1-2 for grades K-8. In addition, Crookston will hold a College Prep Camp Aug. 3-4 for grades 9 to college freshman.

Duluth

New NRRI Innovation Center

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP Building Solutions) has partnered with the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) to manufacture engineered wood products that help meet the demands of builders, remodelers, and homeowners worldwide. The new center includes a full-scale mock house, a display wall, and a manufacturing shop. The partnership seeks to advance the use of sustainable technology in engineered wood products and applications to move the building materials industry forward.

July 19, 26 - Wonderstruck Wednesdays

Graphic of a planet reading Marshall Planetarium

Are seasons caused by the Earth’s distance from the Sun? Can you balance an egg on the Spring Equinox? Does the Moon have a dark side? Find the answers at the UMD Planetarium free trivia shows. Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium, 7 p.m., and live via Facebook. Upcoming shows include Star Wars: Fact or Fiction? (July 19); and Mythbusters: Astronomy + Telescope Viewing (July 26).

July 27 - Imagination Station - High-Flying Rockets with UMD Rocketry

UMD rocket team holding a banner reading UMD

UMD Bulldog Rocketry will join the Northern Expressions Arts Collective for a high-flying rocketry event that offers a hands-on look at the safety, engineering, and thrill of rocketry. Activities include the launching of community-built rockets and a launch of the Bulldog Rocketry group rocket, which was launched 30,000 feet in the air at the Spaceport America Cup competition. Harrison Community Center, 5:30-7 p.m.

Morris

Pandemic challenges lead to improved chemistry lab

Even though many things have almost completely returned to their pre-pandemic state, Chemistry Professor Jenn Goodnough continues to embrace the technology that changed, and improved, her chemistry lab over the past two years.

New issue of Scholarly Horizons journal released

Cover of magazine reading Scholarly Horizons

The new issue of Scholarly Horizons, the U of M Morris undergraduate journal, has been released. Works include independent research and creative activity as well as projects or papers from course assignments that significantly moved beyond the course expectations.

July 27 - Horticulture Night

One of the most anticipated events of the year, Horticulture Night will feature a combination of hands-on gardening demonstrations and presentations on topics ranging from sustainable gardening to garden diseases and low-input lawn care. 4-8 p.m., West Central Research and Outreach Center.

Rochester

UMR EcoliteracySCHOOL students design a pollinator garden

U of M Rochester students in the EcoliteracySCHOOL program collaborated with local high school and elementary school partners to write a project grant that funded the creation of a local pollinator garden, the first of its kind in the city of Pine Island, MN.

Colleges of Distinction recognition

Seal graphic reading colleges of distinction 2023-24

The University of Minnesota Rochester has been recognized by Colleges of Distinction for exemplary student outcomes arising from a commitment to engaged, experiential education. Colleges of Distinction also recognized UMR for its dedication to Career Development and Equity & Inclusion.

Twin Cities

Creating a sustainable campus

A view of washington avenue with buses and lightrail

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. That’s why the University is taking aggressive action to meet its climate goals as quickly as possible, including through the creation of a new University of Minnesota Twin Cities Climate Action Plan that looks toward the future of carbon neutrality and resiliency on campus. Learn more about how the U is creating a sustainable campus.

Enroll in Boynton Health’s Mental Health Training

Support student and colleague well-being with Boynton Health’s new PRISMH-supported Mental Health Training. This comprehensive virtual program empowers University faculty and staff to effectively navigate student mental health concerns and foster a supportive and inclusive campus community. Enroll in this free training and equip yourself with the knowledge to support the mental health needs of today’s students.

How Courtney Burnett embraced life's difficult gifts

While on a month-long global health elective in Thailand, College of Biological Sciences alum Courtney Burnett ’13 began experiencing strange symptoms. An MRI scan revealed a large brain tumor. Overwhelmed and flooded by emotions, she turned to writing and created her blog "Elephant, Lotus, Brain Tumor.” While her goal was to keep friends and family in the loop, "Elephant, Lotus, Brain Tumor" quickly found a broader audience. People facing all kinds of challenges saw themselves in Burnett.

2023 Teaching with Writing Workshops

The Writing Across the Curriculum program will offer two pre-fall workshops, each focused on commenting on and grading student writing. A workshop for new teaching assistants will take place Aug. 29; a workshop for graduate student instructors will take place Aug. 30.