- Board of Regents March meeting highlights.
- Features: Guide dogs; Artistic antidote for a pandemic; The ‘war on cancer’ continues.
- Awards and Recognition: Recipients of the 2021-23 McKnight Land-Grant Professorship award; and more.
Board of Regents March meeting highlights
At its March meeting, the U of M Board of Regents received the annual report of the Board’s student representatives, which outlines aspirations around equity, access, and advocacy. The Board also discussed strategic planning for the Rochester campus, facilitated a public forum on the use of body-worn cameras by University police, and discussed the current status and next steps in the public response to COVID-19 with Michael Osterholm. See the news release for more details.
Guide dogs
After finding remarkable success in canine companions, a U of M team is opening a clinical research study for human patients facing deadly brain tumors. In recent years, scientists have discovered key similarities between brain tumors in dogs and people, giving the team hope that they’ll see good results in humans, too.
Artistic antidote for a pandemic
When COVID-19 hit last spring and nonessential clinic visits came to a halt, M Physicians family doctor Jon Hallberg and pediatric physicians Maren Olson and Ben Trappey turned their energy to something else. They created the Artistic Antidote for a Pandemic, a blog that hosts a curated collection of art of all types—from painting and collage to dance and song to poetry, essay, and film.
See a selection of art from the full collection.
The ‘war on cancer’ continues
It’s been 50 years since President Richard Nixon signed the National Cancer Act and declared a “war on cancer.” This year also marks the 30th anniversary of what’s now known as the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota. Masonic Cancer Center director and M Health Fairview oncologist Douglas Yee reflects on progress so far and work left to do.
Awards and Recognition
Recipients of the 2021-23 McKnight Land-Grant Professorship award; recipients of the 2020-21 Distinguished Teaching Awards; the University of Minnesota and partners have received a $7.1 million NSF grant to launch the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area Urban Long Term Ecological Research program; Leonard Ferrington has been named a fellow of the Society for Freshwater Science; Kirsten Nielsen has been elected to the American Academy of Microbiology; the University of Minnesota COVID-19 Tracking Project has been named a finalist for the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation digital media award; U in the News features highlights of U faculty and staff cited in the media. Awards and Recognition
University announces return to campus for fall semester
The University has announced that all of its campuses are planning to return to fully on-campus operations this fall. Returning to campus operations that will be more similar to those seen before the pandemic, including coursework and activities, will be consistent with state guidance and public health considerations related to the pandemic as autumn draws closer.
Trial community support and education resources webpage
The Office of the President, Office for Public Engagement, Office for Equity and Diversity, and other units systemwide have compiled a list of University of Minnesota affiliated resources for students, faculty, staff, and community partners to build upon the University's collective efforts during and after the trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin. The webpage is intended to be a dynamic central resource; additions are welcome via this form.
Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals and Award for Global Engagement nominations
Nominations are being accepted for two University-wide awards that recognize commitment to internationalization by faculty, staff, and alumni. The Award for Global Engagement is given to faculty and staff in recognition of outstanding contributions to global education and international programs at the University or in their field or discipline. The Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals is for international alumni, former students, and friends of the University who have distinguished themselves in their post-university work as leaders in their careers. Deadline is May 17.
UMF announces new Charitable Grant Resource Hub
The University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) has created the new Charitable Grant Resource Hub. This website (University login required) will guide users through the entire process of applying for a grant from a private or corporate foundation, from identifying funding opportunities to accessing funds. Key components of the website include a search grant opportunities page, guidelines to help determine if a grant will be philanthropic, and more. For more information, contact the Corporate and Foundation Relations team.
MyU and other applications unavailable during system upgrades
Beginning March 20 at noon through March 21 at noon, MyU and other academic and administrative applications will be unavailable or degraded in service while databases are upgraded. Zoom, Canvas, and Google Workspace will be available during the upgrades. Find details about the upgrades including the availability of specific applications and upcoming upgrades that may affect applications you use.
Osterholm Update: Preparing for Act Three
In episode 47 of the Osterholm Update, “Preparing for Act Three,” Michael Osterholm and host Chris Dall discuss what the "third act" of the COVID-19 pandemic could look like in the context of vaccines and variants, easing of restrictions throughout much of the U.S., and the CDC's guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals. Previous episodes are available here.
Reflections on the COVID-19 pivot in academic medicine
Several members of the Medical School community who were recognized as part of the Impact Medicine series last spring reflect today on what they have learned and what has changed for the better since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Extension shares tips for starting a vegetable garden
As warm weather continues to arrive in Minnesota, you may be thinking about starting a vegetable garden. If so, Extension has resources for you. Learn more about how to prepare the soil and garden plot, how to select seeds and plants, and how to deal with insects and diagnose other plant problems.
New on Gold Mind: Career Month webinars and more
Seven new Career Month webinars lead a long list of new content on the U of M Alumni Association’s Gold Mind, where you can access University and expert talks on a variety of topics. Some of the newest additions include Interviewing and Networking Tips, Being Healthy, Active and Well, Black Identity in the Workplace, and the Future of Policing in Minneapolis.
Research Brief: U of M scientists discover attacking fungi that show promise against emerald ash borer
Since its introduction, the emerald ash borer has become the most devastating invasive forest insect in the United States, killing hundreds of millions of ash trees at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars. New research from the University of Minnesota’s Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center shows a possible path forward in controlling the invasive pest that threatens Minnesota’s nearly one billion ash trees. Additional recent Research Briefs include “School connectedness as a protective factor for ethnic minority adolescents” and “First comprehensive study of wildlife roadkill in Tsavo, Kenya identifies hotspots, affected species.”
Apr. 15-16 - Minnesota Neuromodulation Symposium
Register for the annual Minnesota Neuromodulation Symposium, hosted by the Center for Neuroengineering and sponsored by MnDRIVE Brain Conditions. The event is a part of the Institute for Engineering in Medicine’s Innovation Week (Apr. 12-16) at the University of Minnesota.
May 6-8 - Questions About Reproducibility in an Age of Big Data
The “reproducibility crisis” has led scientists, funding sources, and the general public to question the efficacy and trustworthiness of scientific research. Join the Institute for Research in Statistics and its Applications in an attempt to improve scientific methodology. Participants in this three-day virtual conference will learn how international and local experts are tackling challenges and developments relating to reproducibility and generalizability in an age of big data. Registration closes Apr. 28.
U of M featured virtual events
March 19 - New Edward Said Biography with Timothy Brennan
March 24 - Conversations about Science and Society
March 24 - Novelist Helen Oyeyemi Reading New Book
March 25 - A World Safe for Autocracy? The Domestic Politics of China’s Foreign Policy
March 25 - This Land film screening and discussion
March 31 - Probable Meets Possible
International Dinner Series reimagined
Crookston has reimagined its International Dinner Series. The virtual event began March 8 with Noah Gianfranceschi, an aviation student from Paris, preparing poulet sauce aux champignons et. The series will run every Monday on Zoom at 6 p.m.
International students participate in candlelight ski event
Five U of M Crookston students recently participated in the Candle Light Ski - Owl Prowl event at Rydell Wildlife National Refuge and Glacial Ridge. Students from Japan, China, Ukraine, Burkina Faso, and Zambia said they were grateful for hand warmers and that they picked up on skiing fast.
Supporting entrepreneurs
UMD’s Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) is part of the Northeast Minnesota entrepreneurial ecosystem. “If you think about a healthy ecosystem in nature, it’s balanced and sustainable. And with our entrepreneur ecosystem, each organization fills a unique niche and they work together,” says Tim White, NRRI Business Development manager. “That’s a model for what a good support system looks like.”
Race in Minnesota conversation
William Green, professor of history at Augsburg University, and Waziyatawin, a Dakota historian, writer, and activist, will present “A Conversation about Race in Minnesota” on March 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. A discussion focused on implementing antiracist actions at UMD and within the larger community will follow this virtual event. Registration is required.
Art and Design
Eun-Kyung Suh, professor in the Department of Art and Design, will give a virtual talk on March 30, 6-7 p.m., as part of the Visual Culture Lecture Series. Suh is a textile installation artist whose work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Since 2008, her work has focused on sculptural vessels as a metaphor for personal, familial, and cultural memories.
U of M Morris awarded $1.5 million for Native American student success
The University of Minnesota Morris has been awarded a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support Native American student success. Totaling $1.5 million, the award will support transition to college, first-year experience programming, access to cultural resources, and student wellbeing at Morris.
#MorrisMission earns program of the year award
The #MorrisMission has earned the Association of College Unions International’s 2021 Shirley Bird Perry Staff-Driven Program of the Year award. The award recognizes an innovative and impactful program implemented primarily by staff on campus.
Burke earns teaching award
Barbara Burke, associate professor of communication, media, and rhetoric, has earned the 2021 U of M Morris Alumni Association Teaching Award. Burke stands out for her individualized attention and willingness to help students figure out how to do what they want to do in college and beyond.
June 3-4 - Higher Education Innovation Summit
Register today for the Higher Education Innovation Summit, designed to connect creative educators and researchers seeking to transform higher education through innovations that enhance student learning. Keynote speakers include Cathy Davidson, author of the best-selling book The New Education, and Jennifer Sparrow, associate vice president of teaching and learning with technology at Penn State University.
UMR Career Pathways: Emerging Health Technologies
UMR's innovative degree programs and integrated curriculum provide students with a foundational undergraduate education. Discover how Eunice Akintade navigated UMR’s many health career pathway opportunities, learning effective communication skills and gaining exposure to different cultures through her individually planned capstone, which helped prepare her for a position in data compliance as a project coordinator at Be the Match. Learn more about UMR's Pathways.
Women’s Faculty Cabinet nominations
Faculty and Academic Affairs is soliciting nominations for new members of the Women's Faculty Cabinet (WFC). The WFC brings forward issues related to women and gender equity through recommending policies, sponsoring events, and partnering with the provost, faculty senate, deans, and departments to improve equity, diversity, and campus life for everyone at the University of Minnesota. Nominations are due Apr. 15. Learn more about WFC and the nomination process.
Using technology to improve community health
Assistant Professor David Haynes of the University's Institute for Health Informatics is preparing for a late-May pilot stage of a new app to improve community health by using mobile technology to connect community members to community organizations and health resources.
Pandemic can’t stop students from experiencing other countries
In fall 2020, with the world hunkered down against COVID-19, Jane Schaefer, Mitali Naigaonkar, and Robert Glisky, all College of Science and Engineering students, studied virtually in Ireland, Spain, and Ecuador, respectively. Their opportunities came through the U of M Learning Abroad Center’s four-credit virtual International Internships program, which it introduced during the pandemic.
Apr. 1 - Headliners: Engineering Brain Circuits to Treat Mental Illness
Hosted by the College of Continuing and Professional Studies, brain stimulation psychiatrist and biomedical engineer Alik Widge will provide an overview of emerging technologies such as deep brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation. 7-8:30 p.m., via Zoom. No charge, but registration is required.
May 17-June 4 - Summer Public Health Institute
Hosted by the School of Public Health, this program offers courses for everyone practicing or studying public health and its related fields. Most courses span one week and provide participants with applied research and practice that can be used right away. Courses can be taken for academic graduate credit or continuing education contact hours.