June 1, 2022

Inside This Issue

Brief summer schedule: June 15 and 29; July 20; Aug. 3, 17. Weekly publication resumes Sept. 7.

  • U of M joins internationally-recognized Principles for Responsible Investments.
  • Features: Advocating for women in sport; Two-year-old undergoes transplant after mysterious liver disease outbreak.
  • Awards and Recognition: The U of M has received $66 million to establish a center to develop antiviral drugs for pandemic-level viruses; and more.
Top News

U of M joins internationally recognized Principles for Responsible Investment

The University of Minnesota recently joined the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) organization as a signatory and reporting member. The PRI is a United Nations–sponsored entity that promotes the integration of environmental, social, and governance priorities into institutional investment processes worldwide.  

Advocating for women in sport

Maxine Simons with Nicole LaVoi

For nearly 30 years, scholars in the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, a world-renowned thought leader and catalyst of systems change, have worked diligently to raise awareness of disparities and drive positive change in a myriad of ways. One of those ways is through its Gender Equity Summer Internship Program. 
 


Two-year-old undergoes transplant after mysterious liver disease outbreak

Baelyn Schwabb outdoors on a slide with her doctor

Two-year-old Baelyn Schwab has a laundry list of allergies. When she woke up in late April with a runny nose and hives, her parents assumed it was an allergic reaction and contacted her doctor. Less than a week later, Baelyn was airlifted from her home in South Dakota to M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital. Her liver was failing due to acute hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, and she needed a transplant to survive. 

 
 
Awards and Recognition

The U of M has received $66 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to establish a center to develop antiviral drugs for pandemic-level viruses; announcing the 2022 recipient of the University of Minnesota President’s Community-Engaged Scholar Award and the 2022 Community-Engaged Scholar Award recipients; Shashank Priya has been named the next vice president for research; Aaron Schilz has been appointed executive director of the Masonic Cancer Center; Rahel Nardos has been named a 2022 Bush Fellow; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.

Awards and Recognition

U-Wide News

Redesigned One Stop website demonstration

All faculty and staff are invited to join in a virtual event (register) about the upcoming launch of the redesigned One Stop website. Join in a demonstration of the site and learn how a user-experience focus influenced the site’s redesign. Presenters will also provide details on how staff can participate in the upcoming soft launch to familiarize themselves with the new website before it is made public to students. 

Minors on campus this summer

U of M programs serve over 250,000 youth annually. With summer the peak season, thousands of youth will be engaged in camps, day events, athletics, and internships. Be aware of health and safety considerations, including: Youth should never be alone with adults in a 1:1 situation; youth should always be supervised; all employees are considered mandated reporters. All activities must register on YouthCentral and follow the Safety of Minors policy. Email Jazmin Danielson with questions. 

Change to University Google account time-out period

Starting June 1, the University is updating its security policy regarding how long you can remain signed in to your University Google account. Currently, when you sign in to any Google Workspace application with your University internet ID and password, Google remembers you for 14 days. With this change, the amount of time that your session can remain active will be seven days. No action is required as a result of this change. 

Meet the new Technology Help chatbot, Goldy

a yellow chatbox symbol

Get just-in-time, how-to information on Canvas, password resets, Zoom, and Duo multi-factor authentication. Visit it.umn.edu to try the new chatbot, Goldy. You'll find the chatbot in the lower, right-hand corner of your browser window. You can help Goldy by asking questions and providing feedback. Goldy will be able to help with even more technologies later this summer.

 

U of M begins phase I of first-in-human clinical trial for advanced solid tumor cancers

Physicians and scientists at the University of Minnesota have opened a new solid tumor cancer clinical trial and have treated their first patient with HCW9218—an injectable, bifunctional immunotherapeutic, developed by HCW Biologics Inc. 

First-of-its-kind trauma-informed care simulation series will help train sexual assault nurse examiners across Minnesota

M Simulation recently piloted a new training on trauma-informed interviewing to help prepare sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) to care for patients who have experienced sexual assault or abuse. The simulation training is part of the Advanced Nursing Education-Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners program, which aims to double the number of SANEs in Minnesota, particularly in rural and under-resourced communities. Pilot training also aims to advance transgender health care.

School of Dentistry research hub joins interprofessional center for pharmaceutical research

A University of Minnesota dentistry research hub is set to take part in an innovative, collaborative center that will transform the way pharmaceutical drugs are formulated and manufactured. The Minnesota Dental Research Center for Biomaterials and Biomechanics is joining the Center for Integrated Material Science and Engineering for Pharmaceutical Products, an Industry-University Cooperative Research Center backed by the National Science Foundation.  

Future shines bright for solar schools

Two kids examine a light bulb experiment

Mounds View is one of 60 school districts across Minnesota that are saving money and enhancing their curriculum with solar panels they’ve installed on or near school buildings. That number is expected to increase in the year ahead, thanks to a grant program set into place by the 2021 Minnesota Legislature. Clean Energy Resource Teams, a partnership that includes U of M Extension’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, will serve as technical advisers to participating districts.
 

June 10 - University of Minnesota Communicators Forum conference

Join the University of Minnesota Communicators Forum for its annual conference: Connect: Unite & Uplift Our Communities. The event will provide professional development opportunities to inform, empower, and inspire communicators, including a keynote address, breakout sessions, a vendor fair, and networking events.  

June 28 - U of M Invasive Species Conference

Person scooping organisms from lake with net

This hybrid event, focused on the science behind invasive species, will feature morning keynote speakers via Zoom that can be viewed at a Research and Outreach Center or from anywhere, and afternoon expert talks in person at eight of the ten Research and Outreach Centers across the state. Attendees will receive direct access to field and research sites and have an opportunity to deepen their understanding of invasive species. Learn more and register for the conference.

Crookston

Sommerfeld returns as director of ECDC

Tu Lynn Sommerfeld

The University of Minnesota Crookston announced that Tu Lynn Sommerfeld has returned as director of the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC). Sommerfeld previously served as the director for 11 years before leaving last fall to take a position at Sacred Heart School in East Grand Forks, MN.

Duluth

Making connections with Kazakhstan

three scholars from Kazahkstan

Three scholars from Kazakhstan are visiting the University of Minnesota Duluth through a partnership the College of Education and Human Service Professions is developing with L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. The intent is to develop a long-term relationship with the university that includes continued opportunities for cultural and intellectual exchange as well as visiting professorships. 

 

Video: Showcasing the new Childhood Nature Studies program

Two kids and instructor play outside

Recent UMD graduate Ben Valerius showcases the new Childhood Nature Studies program in this video. The program will prepare students to work in a variety of settings with a goal of supporting child development as well as more socially just and ecologically-sustainable communities.

Morris

Koehler receives MAFAA President's Award

Jana Koehler accepts award with two others

Jana Koehler, senior program manager in the University of Minnesota Morris Office of Financial Aid, has been named co-recipient of the President’s Award from the Minnesota Association of Financial Aid Administrators (MAFAA).  

 

 

Baseball players recognized with national honors

Jacob Schaaf pitching

Two Cougar baseball players were recently recognized by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). Alex Baumann was named the NCBWA Hitter of the Week and Jacob Schaaf was named the NCBWA Rookie of the Week.

Rochester

Beyond the Nest: ‘That's When I Decided I Wanted to be a Therapist’

Monica Ziebell

In this episode of the Beyond the Nest podcast, 2019 graduate Monica Zeibell chats with UMR student success coach Grace Nelson. Zeibell shares why she picked UMR and talks about the internship experiences that led her to a career in the resilience, mental health, and well-being pathway. Presently, Zeibell is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor with NUWAY. Beyond the Nest is distributed via Apple, Google, Spotify, and Podbean.

 

UMR faculty curricular design

The Strada Education Network recently featured UMR’s curricular redesign for NXT GEN MED as an example from the field that holds the potential to generate lower cost, faster completion, academic success, and career readiness. For student relevance, experiential courses will be bundled together around themes, such as disparities in the pandemic, evidence-based health care solution design, and the public communication of science. 

Twin Cities

Technology allows amputees to control a robotic arm with their mind

Zhi Yang shakes hands with research participant Cameron Slavens

University of Minnesota Twin Cities researchers have developed a more accurate, less invasive technology that allows amputees to move a robotic arm using their brain signals instead of their muscles. Watch a video about the technology.
 



Working on the workforce

John Bricout

The world of work is in a state of upheaval thanks to many factors, from COVID-19 and the “great resignation” to generational shifts and technological advances like artificial intelligence. The challenges are interconnected and complex, requiring expertise from many disciplines to find solutions. A new Workforce Development and Research Lab in the College of Education and Human Development will bring together experts from diverse fields to solve these complicated challenges.


ICI’s inclusive roots: Bridging anti-ableism and anti-racism

The College of Education and Human Development’s Institute on Community Integration (ICI) adds an often-overlooked dimension to the fight for racial equity. Named and founded on Civil Rights–era principles of breaking down exclusionary barriers, ICI conducts research and provides training and education that takes aim at disparities experienced by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities from underrepresented racial and other groups. 

June 18 - Juneteenth celebration

Graphic reading Juneteenth speakers and performers

The University of Minnesota will host its inaugural Juneteenth celebration block party and commemorative march in North Minneapolis, noon-6 p.m. Centering on the theme of “Was. Is. Will Be: Black Past, Black Present, Black Future,” the event will feature Black vendors, speakers, storytellers, musicians, performers, DJs, roller skating, free food, and more. The commemorative march will begin at noon at Willard Park and end at the Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center with the outdoor block party, 1-6 p.m. 
 

UMTC Featured Events

historical sketch of person's anatomy

Ongoing - “Anatomy Illustrated: Scientific Images and the Body” 

June 2 - ENCORE 2022 

June 6-Aug. 29 - Mindful Mondays summer sessions  

June 6 - The Art of Transcription: Vivaldi’s “Seasons” and The Tangos of Astor Piazzolla Presentation 

June 7 - The Future of Our Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces 

June 7 - Public Tour of St. Anthony Falls Laboratory  

June 8 - SciPride 2022 and SciPride Social 

June 15 - Webinar: Leading with Cultural Intelligence 

July 27 - Taste & Toast at the Landscape Arboretum 

See the full Events Calendar