March 22, 2023

Inside This Issue
  • Researchers create breakthrough spintronics manufacturing process.
  • Feature: Protecting U.S. embassies.
  • Awards and Recognition: Announcing the grant recipients of the International Institute for Biosensing; and more.
Top News

Researchers create breakthrough spintronics manufacturing process that could revolutionize the electronics industry

A semiconductor

U of M researchers, along with a team at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, have developed a breakthrough process for making spintronic devices that has the potential to become the new industry standard for semiconductor chips that are essential to computers, smartphones, and many other electronics. The new process will allow for faster, more efficient spintronics devices that can be scaled down smaller than ever before. 
 

Protecting U.S. embassies

Roger Thyen on a cargo evac plane

When Diplomatic Security Service Officer Roger Thyen (BA ’92) was assigned to the American embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, in July 2021, he looked forward to being able to use his Arabic language skills again. Coming off a three-year assignment in Croatia, Thyen was supposed to be in Afghanistan as the embassy's senior security officer for a full year. Soon, however, he was leading an emergency evacuation of 1,400 embassy workers
 

Awards and Recognition

Announcing the grant recipients of the International Institute for Biosensing, a new institute at the University of Minnesota focused on advancing biosensing research; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.

Awards and Recognition

U-Wide News

Apply for the Early Career Teaching and Learning Program

Deepen your understanding of student learning and broaden your teaching strategies. Faculty and instructors in their first five years at the University of Minnesota are invited to apply for the 2023-24 Early Career Teaching and Learning Program.  

Historic preservation tax credit study informs decisions

When a historic building is spared the wrecking ball and restored, a community reaps the benefits in many ways. New Ulm’s Grand Hotel, for example, opened in 1860 and is now a lively center for the arts. Since 2011, U of M Extension’s Brigid Tuck has focused on the economic benefit and public-private partnerships aided by Minnesota’s historic preservation tax credit. The credit is under consideration for renewal.  

Protein engineers navigate toward more targeted therapeutics

3D illustration of G Protein receptor

More than a third of FDA-approved drugs work by targeting a G protein-coupled receptor, or GPCR. In a new study, College of Biological Sciences professor Sivaraj Sivaramakrishnan and others uncovered the role of the third intracellular loop in the GPCR’s signaling mechanism, suggesting the possibility of a more targeted approach to drug discovery and a paradigm shift for new therapeutics.

 

The kids aren't alright

Researchers Colin Planalp and Andrea Stewart at the State Health Access Data Assistance Center found that half of American children experience adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)—traumatic events that include loss of a parent; emotional, physical, or sexual abuse; and exposure to violence in the household or community. They also discovered deep inequities in ACEs exposure.

Research Brief: U of M students sequence genome of newly discovered soybean pest

University of Minnesota students conducted crucial genome sequencing for a newly discovered pest called soybean gall midge, which is threatening the soybean crop, one of the most widely cultivated and consumed throughout the world. See additional recent Research Briefs.   

Talking tax season tips with the U of M

From navigating policy changes to organizing piles of paperwork, filing taxes can be a stressful time. Tammy Naples, Carlson School of Management, shares her insights for tackling this year’s tax season. See more editions of "Talking with U of M." 

Apr. 14 - Sustainability Symposium: Bridging the Gap

All University students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend this year's systemwide sustainability symposium, which brings together diverse sustainability projects, artwork, research, and other ideas at one platform. Presentation sites will be held at Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and the Twin Cities, with a virtual option available for Rochester. Noon-5:30 p.m., Institute on the Environment, Twin Cities campus in St. Paul.=

May 8-12 - Assessment Deep Dive

This five-day synchronous, Zoom-based seminar will support instructors in (re)designing a comprehensive assessment plan to support learning for all students in their courses.

Crookston

March 23 - Live: Midwest Murder podcast

Graphic reading Midwest Murder with the names of the hosts

Back by popular demand, the Midwest Murder podcast will be at the University of Minnesota Crookston at 7 p.m., Bede Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public. Come hear details about a fascinating case and enjoy some mocktails.

 

 

March 27 - U of M Crookston International Dinner

U of M Crookston’s long-standing traditional International Dinner event will feature presentations from international students including Madeleine “Maddi” Schneider of Germany and Norden Bista of Nepal. Food served will include German appetizers and dessert, and a Nepalese main entrée. 6 p.m., Bede Ballroom.

Duluth

March 29 - AILRC Spring Feast

Graphic reading Spring Feast in cursive

The UMD American Indian Learning Research Center (AILRC) will present a spring feast to celebrate milestone events including the 50th anniversary of the American Indian Studies Department and the Indigenous Student Organization, the 40th anniversary of the American Indian Learning Resource Center, and the 10th anniversary of the Tribal Sovereignty Institute. Speakers include Dennis Olson, alumnus and commissioner of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, and Rachel Evangelisto, the first-ever Indigenous Miss Minnesota. 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m., Kirby Ballroom. 

‘I’ll play 'til I can't’

Bonnie Shea

Bonnie Shea became the first girl to play organized hockey in Duluth in 1951. She's still playing competitively today at the age of 78. She attended UMD and went to work in Duluth as a teacher and later as an elementary school counselor. Learn more about her journey to be on the ice (and stay on it), and her love and passion for the game.

 

March 30-Apr. 4 - Twin Ports Festival of History

Graphic reading Twin Ports Festival of History

Twelve events will be held at multiple venues throughout Duluth and Superior as part of the six-day Twin Ports Festival of History. The UMD Public History and Museum Studies Programs join multiple area heritage organizations to present lectures and activities throughout Duluth. Authors and historians of local, regional, national, and international renown will present on a wide range of history topics.

Morris

Goodnough earns teaching award

Jennifer Goodnough

Associate professor of chemistry Jennifer Goodnough has earned the 2023 U of M Morris Alumni Association Teaching Award. This award honors individual faculty members for outstanding contributions to undergraduate education by calling attention to educational philosophies, objectives, and methods. 


 

New issue of Scholarly Horizons journal released

Scholarly Horizons cover of magazine

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


 

March 24 - SELFSustain 2023: The Forgotten Side of Sustainability

The keynote speaker for the Student Engagement & Leadership Forum on Sustainability will be Ed Humes, author of Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair with Trash. The keynote address will be available for viewing live on Zoom

Rochester

Be the Match event a success

Several students at a Be the Match table

UMR students in the Pre-Professional Club and Community Engagement Club recently partnered with Be the Match for a two-day donor sign-up event, as reported in the Rochester Post-Bulletin. The group far surpassed its initial goal of 50 signups with a total of 154 students, faculty, staff, and community members joining the donor registry. Be the Match connects patients who suffer from life-threatening blood cancers with donors.

 

Honoring women at UMR

Graphic featuring four women of UMR including the chancellor

Many women make up the University of Minnesota Rochester’s past and present. In honor of Women’s History Month, UMR recently highlighted a few of the many women who have carved a pathway for future contributions and continue to impact the University today

Twin Cities

Submit textbook and course materials requests to University Bookstores and University Libraries

University Bookstores and Libraries Course Materials Services are accepting Summer 2023 course materials requests. Early submissions can positively impact affordability. Request textbooks for purchase from the U Bookstores and Canvas reading lists containing articles, e-books, and more from the U Libraries. The libraries and bookstores partner to provide some e-books required for courses at no cost to students. Email requests and questions to [email protected] (bookstores) and [email protected] (libraries).

Improved security for Internet of Things now available

The Internet of Things (IoT) service has a new encrypted service option available for personal and departmental devices. The new service has improved security, supports a wider range of devices, and is easier to set up. For more information, follow the Personal IoT Device Registration guide or Departmental IoT Device Registration guide. Note this is not available in the Como Student Community Cooperative.

Design to save pollinators

wildflowers in a yard

The Lawns to Legumes Program was launched in 2019 as a collaboration of legislators, conservation organizations, and the public to address the rapid loss of Minnesota’s pollinator species. Landscape architecture instructor Dan Shaw has played a key role in the development of the program, acting as program coordinator.


 

Language keeper

Jaeden King outside

Growing up on Mille Lacs tribal land, Jaeden King spent a lot of time with her grandmother. “She was always speaking Ojibwe,” King recalls. In addition to listening and learning, King took two years of post-secondary Ojibwe classes at Bemidji State University. Now in her third year at the U of M, she is double majoring in American Indian Studies and the Ojibwe language in the College of Liberal Arts.

 

OLLI presents spring “At the U” lecture series

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) will present “At the U,” a virtual lecture series that takes place on Thursdays, March 30-May 11, 12:30-2 p.m. Register once and attend as many events as you like. See the full schedule of lectures

UMTC featured events

Illustration of a woman reading to 3 children

March 26 - MapleFest Pancake Breakfast | Minnesota Landscape Arboretum 

March 28 - A Call to Climate Action: Book launch and talk with climate scientist Heidi Roop 

March 28 - Webinar: Biodiversity and the Interconnectedness of Life on Land  

March 29 - Book launch: Five Bay Landscapes: Curious Explorations of the Great Lakes Basin

March 31 - Putting Healthcare Back Together: The Evolving Roles of Patients, Providers, and New Entrants  

March 31 - College of Design Research & Creative Scholarship Showcase 

Apr. 4 - 14th Annual Pankake Poetry reading with Sun Yung Shin 

Apr. 5 - Webinar: Climate literacy town hall 

Apr. 5 - Pulitzer Prize winner Matthew Desmond – Poverty, By America 

Apr. 7 - First Fridays: Campus Traditions

See the full Events Calendar