- Board of Regents meets March 11-12.
- Features: Rudy's chances; Bolstering startups, innovation.
- Awards and Recognition: Vice President for Research Chris Cramer has announced his decision to leave the University later this spring; and more.
Board of Regents meets March 11-12
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents will launch a series of conversations at its March meeting to discuss how the Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and Rochester campuses will advance the systemwide mission. Regents will also hold a public forum on the pending implementation of the use of body cameras by University police. Additionally, the Board will discuss the status and next steps in the public response to COVID-19 with Michael Osterholm, receive the annual report of student representatives, and review proposed amendments to the Board of Regents Policy: American Indian Advisory Boards. See the news release for more details.
Rudy's chances
As a puppy, Rudy preferred a secluded place to hide from his romping litter mates. When Jill and Chris Carter saw Rudy in the adoption shelter, their hearts went out to him. The Rochester, MN, couple adopted Rudy and his sister, Holly. After discovery of a rare heart condition in Rudy, the couple opted for a historic cardiac procedure to give Rudy a second chance.
Bolstering startups, innovation
The state is looking to expand Minnesota’s role as a national leader in innovation—and University of Minnesota experts are lending their support. Launch Minnesota, an initiative started in 2019 by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, aims to accelerate the growth of startup companies—and the larger startup ecosystem—across the state. U of M Technology Commercialization and the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship in the Carlson School of Management have been involved with the initiative since its launch.
Awards and Recognition
Vice President for Research Chris Cramer has announced his decision to leave the University later this spring; the University of Minnesota has received $14.2 million from the National Institute on Aging to better understand how early-life conditions and experiences shape later-life risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias; three U of M Twin Cities departments have been awarded 2021 Engaged Department grants; George Barany was recently named a National Academy of Inventors Fellow; Linda Koehler has received the 2020 Oncology Research Award; Gill Roehrig has been selected as president-elect for NARST; U in the News features highlights of U faculty and staff cited in the media. Awards and Recognition
Finding better ways to detect and measure infectious viruses in the air
Being able to detect infectious influenza viruses and coronaviruses in the air can reveal how far virus-containing particles may travel, how deeply they enter the human or animal respiratory tract, and the most effective ways to limit exposures to them. Researchers at the School of Public Health and College of Veterinary Medicine compared the ability of a variety of existing samplers to detect and measure airborne influenza viruses accurately. Learn more about the team’s findings.
Minnesota ranks number one in long-term support and services
According to the latest edition of the Long-Term Support and Services State Scorecard, Minnesota ranks number one in long-term care and support nationwide for older adults. The state’s top ranking is partly a reflection of the work being done as part of the Minnesota Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program.
Research Brief: Frog species’ lungs act like noise-cancelling headphones when zeroing in on a mate
American green treefrogs are able to pinpoint a mating call from a potential mate by inflating their lungs to reduce their eardrums’ sensitivity to other noise—including muffling other species’ mating calls—according to new research from the University of Minnesota and St. Olaf College. Additional recent Research Briefs include “Comet Catalina suggests comets delivered carbon to rocky planets” and “Atmospheric drying will lead to lower crop yields, shorter trees across the globe.”
Apply for MN Cup
MN Cup is seeking Minnesota entrepreneurs with breakthrough business ideas to apply to the largest statewide startup competition in the country. More than 16,000 entrepreneurs have participated in the competition since 2005, with winners receiving $4.4 million in cash prizes and going on to raise over $500 million in capital. Applications are open March 15 through Apr. 16.
March 17 - Impact leaders: A conversation with the U of M's MacArthur Fellows
Join President Joan Gabel and 2020 MacArthur Foundation ‘genius grant’ recipients Paul Dauenhauer and Damien Fair as the fellows reflect on their visionary research pursuits, the impact of the MacArthur Fellowship, and how the U of M encourages creative, trailblazing thinkers. 1 p.m.
Pre-retirement webinars: Build a future you’ll love
The University’s annual pre-retirement seminars can help you prepare for retirement, wherever you are in the process. Designed for faculty and staff ages 50 and over, five hourlong sessions cover when and how to apply for Social Security, the realities of health care in retirement, income planning for women, and maximizing your savings. Events take place via Zoom March 17-24. See topics, register, and learn more.
Women in Power Series
This three-part series (register by March 24), with events on March 31, Apr. 28, and May 26, is geared towards empowering women to understand the gender pay gap, learn strategies for self-advocacy, and navigate how to successfully appeal for a salary increase.
U of M featured virtual events
March 11 - "Black Arts and Activism" with playwrights Aleshea Harris
and Harrison David Rivers
March 13 - Virtual Fixit Clinic
March 16 - Landscapes of Environmental Justice: Bridging Past and Present
March 18 - The Women’s Faculty Cabinet: The Power of Tactful Self-Promotion
March 18 - Measuring Structural Racism in Minnesota: A Call to Action
March 18 - Religious Identities and Polarization
March 19 - “A Campus Divided” exhibit Uncovered (Online Workshop)
March 23 - Galaxy Clusters: Nature’s Giant Magnifying Glasses
Arena to be named for Chancellor Emeritus Casey
The equine arena in the University Teaching and Outreach Center on the University of Minnesota Crookston Campus will be named the Charles H. Casey Equine Arena in honor of the former chancellor and U of M regent.
Crookston alum patrols Alaskan wilderness as wildlife trooper
Imagine soaring through the skies and patrolling the roads amidst the beautiful, diverse mix of scenery, tundra, and grand mountain peaks. This is what University of Minnesota Crookston alumnus Brian Lemay ’18 experiences daily. Lemay is a wildlife trooper for the Alaska State Troopers. He is stationed in Coldfoot, AK, just miles away from Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, and is the lone wildlife trooper for an area approximately the size of Montana.
DeMuth finds her identity at Crookston
A native of Grand Rapids, MN, Eleora DeMuth's life always revolved around FFA and 4-H growing up. Her high school agricultural education teacher, Shawn Linder, a 2001 graduate of Crookston, first introduced DeMuth to the University of Minnesota Crookston.
Archiving the coronavirus pandemic
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the project "Stories of Wisdom from Bodies in Separation: Archiving the Coronavirus Pandemic Through the Lens of Humanities," supported in part by the National Endowment of the Humanities, has been gathering the perspectives of artists and other community members. Their experiences are captured in photographs, videos, audios, and more.
Art and design
Matt Olin will give a virtual talk on March 23, 6-7 p.m., as part of the Visual Culture Lecture Series. Olin is an associate professor in UMD’s Department of Art and Design and teaches graphic design. This event, which is open to all, will include a discussion exploring best practices around working with clients and getting work exhibited.
NRRI receives $2.1 million to research Minnesota’s iron of the future
The Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) is one of 46 projects in 23 states receiving funding aimed at stimulating technology innovation, improving energy productivity of American manufacturing, and enabling the manufacturing of cutting-edge products in the United States. The U.S. Department of Energy awarded NRRI $2.1 million to research Minnesota’s iron products for expanded steelmaking markets.
Chancellor Behr to retire
Chancellor Michelle Behr plans to retire at the end of the academic year. During her tenure, Chancellor Behr has led the Morris campus through a strategic visioning and planning process, reaffirmation of accreditation, and record-breaking years of private giving. She became U of M Morris’s sixth chancellor in February of 2017.
Scholarly Horizons out now
The latest issue of U of M Morris's undergraduate research publication, Scholarly Horizons, is available now. This edition features work from the fields of literature, computer science, philosophy, art history, and anthropology.
Olson profiled by Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources
Biology alumna Jennifer Olson is profiled on the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources blog. Olson, a Farm Service Agency program technician and beef producer, is using her liberal arts background to improve herd genetics, water quality, and grazing land in Pope County. “As far as marketing, breeding, veterinary care—all of that is kind of my wheelhouse,” she says.
COVID-19 vaccine panel
The UMR Student Research Club and the Rochester Student Association hosted a virtual interdisciplinary panel on the topic of COVID-19 vaccinations. Panelists and UMR faculty members Andrew Petzold (biology), Kristin Osiecki (public health), and Shanna Altrichter (sociology) addressed the biology of the vaccine, public health concerns, and vaccine hesitancy.
Bell camp registration
Bell Museum K–6 camps return with new offerings this summer, including special two-week sessions for in-person camps and weekly virtual camps throughout the summer. Camps go on sale to Bell members on March 17 and to the general public on March 24.