- Features: Title IX at 50: U of M women reflect on the journey; Circuit override; Engineering the fantastic.
- Awards and Recognition: Recipients of the 2022 Distinguished McKnight University Professor award; and more.
Title IX at 50: U of M women reflect on the journey
Fifty years ago this June, the landmark equal rights legislation known as Title IX ushered in huge opportunities for women and girls. Its reach touches every aspect of the American educational experience, not just athletics. The latest issue of Minnesota Alumni magazine explores the shifting impact of Title IX—and the work still to be done—in a collection of articles marking the anniversary and its effects at the U of M and beyond.
Circuit override
Assistant Professor Alik Widge is one of only a few people in the world trained as both a biomedical engineer and a clinical psychiatrist. Learn how Widge and colleagues are combining engineering and brain science expertise to give people who are facing severe mental illness better control over their disease.
Engineering the fantastic
Alumnus Ben Simms ’04 made something of a head-spinning career pivot after graduating from the U of M with a degree in aerospace engineering and astrophysics. A recent WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Netflix special is the biggest directing job yet for Simms, who has spent the last 16 years building a career as a producer, director, and photographer in Los Angeles, after first making a name for himself producing a wildlife series for British adventurer Bear Grylls.
Awards and Recognition
Announcing the recipients of the 2022 Distinguished McKnight University Professor award; Rebecca Ropers has been named among 46 emerging college and university leaders for the 2022-23 class of the ACE Fellows Program; Mpls.St.Paul Magazine has recognized 175 U of M Medical School faculty physicians as “Rising Stars”; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.
IonE call for new affiliates
The Institute on the Environment’s (IonE) affiliate program is accepting applications for early-career faculty, sustainability educators, and established interdisciplinary scholars and professionals. Faculty and staff from across the University of Minnesota System are welcome to apply. Applications, due Apr. 15, require at least one letter of nomination/support from a current affiliate.
Researchers find losartan is not effective in reducing COVID-19 lung injuries
U of M researchers have found that a common blood pressure medication—losartan—is not effective in reducing lung injury in patients with COVID-19. The drug was investigated based on early reports suggesting benefit in preclinical models. This study was conducted across 12 U.S. academic research institutions.
Stark socioeconomic diversity gap exists across all races and ethnicities in U.S. medical schools
New research by the University of Minnesota Medical School is the first to take a detailed look at the socioeconomic diversity of the national medical student body. The study suggests an urgent need to diversify the physician workforce in the U.S.
Digital farming platform creates sustainable connections
For over 150 years the Ackerman family has been farming in Jackson County, MN. Now, the Ackermans’ farm is one of 45 across the state helping to advance Farmmaps, a free, online interactive platform for Minnesota farmers to create community, network, and share valuable farming case studies. The project was led by the University of Minnesota Extension and the Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Agricultural Management.
Research Brief: Brain studies show thousands of participants are needed for accurate results
New research from the University of Minnesota and Washington University School of Medicine shows that most published brain-wide association studies are performed with too few participants to yield reliable findings.
U of M featured virtual events
March 23 - Where Do I Go from Here? Powerful Questions for Mid-Career Professionals
March 28 - A discussion on how to navigate the global regulatory world
Spring 2022 - Mini Medical School: Evolving with the Pandemic
Apr. 1 - First Fridays: Born digital archives and behind the scenes at the Bell Library
Apr. 7 - Headliners: Harnessing Light Using Organic Semiconductor Devices
Apr. 7 - Justice in Public Health: Racism, not Race
Hoffman named president of Bemidji State and Northwest Technical College
U of M Crookston vice chancellor John Hoffman has been named president of Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College, effective July 1. Hoffman has served as the vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at the University of Minnesota Crookston since 2018, and he also assumed duties as acting senior vice chancellor in 2021.
March 30 - Grad Fest
U of M Crookston will host “Grad Fest - No Hassle For Your Tassel,” the one stop to ensure seniors are ready for graduation. Attendees can visit with representatives from the registrar's office, financial aid, career services, the alumni office, help desk, and more.
‘Office Hours’ with Charles Fountaine
In this episode of "Office Hours," UMD chats with Charles Fountaine, professor of exercise and rehabilitation sciences and self-professed “bro-fessor.” Hear his recipe for longevity, his favorite exercise, and how the Department of Applied Human Sciences is helping people live their best lives. “If you love getting outdoors, exploring, and really seeing what the body can do, the Department of Applied Human Sciences would be a wonderful match,” he says.
UMD women's hockey back at NCAA Frozen Four
After a win against the Gophers, UMD Women's Hockey punched its ticket to the NCAA Frozen Four. The Bulldogs beat Northeastern in the semifinals, then lost to Ohio State in the championship game March 20. Before they took on Northeastern on March 18, UMD caught up with the team for one last workout at Amsoil in this video.
NRRI research shows that local waste materials can keep pollutants from water sources
The first inch of rain on roadways is often the most polluted. Roadside filter systems use sand and compost to keep pollutants out of groundwater, but these materials are often hauled over long distances. Research at the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) shows that locally sourced waste materials are just as effective at keeping pollutants out of water sources.
March 29 - Wilbert H. Ahern Distinguished Lecture
Matthew Villeneuve, assistant professor of History and American Indian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will discuss "The Seven Generations of Indigenous Education at Morris." Villeneuve will present the Morris campus history as a story told in three acts defined by a set of educational “experiments” on its campus: the “Indian Boarding School” (1887-1909), the West-Central School of Agriculture (1910-63), and the University of Minnesota Morris (1960 to present). 7:30 p.m., Humanities Fine Arts Recital Hall.
Women's History Month: 'Things You Should Know'
Many strong, fierce, and knowledgeable women make up the University of Minnesota Rochester's past and present. Read more on Instagram about the committed individuals that carved a pathway for future contributions in the latest edition of "Things You Should Know." Those who are a part of UMR's present continue this drive.
Register for U of M Day of Service
U of M Day of Service is back, bigger and better than ever. Register to volunteer with fellow faculty, staff, alumni, students, friends, and family as U of M Day of Service is expanded to the entire month of April. Learn more and find group projects or register for individual service.
Changing the legacy of fast food in North Minneapolis
Assistant Professor Fernando Burga is using an Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center Research Agenda Grant to ask how and why North Minneapolis became a destination for fast food. Burga is also looking at how North Minneapolis’ fast foodscape could be transformed to be more healthy and culturally relevant.
University exceeds energy savings goal for 2021
In 2021, the University of Minnesota achieved over 8 million kilowatt hours in electricity savings, exceeding the goal it set in partnership with Xcel Energy. That’s enough electricity to power 880 average Minnesota homes for a year and avoid 5 million pounds of CO2 emissions.
E Line presentation and feedback request
The METRO E Line is a planned bus rapid transit line from the University of Minnesota to Southdale along the Route 6 corridor. An on-campus/virtual E Line presentation will take place on March 29, 4:10-4:25 p.m., Room 2-690, Malcolm Moos Health Sciences. Feedback can also be given online or by email before Apr. 8.
March 31 - Impact Leaders: Celebrating 50 years of Title IX and U of M women in varsity athletics
Join President Joan Gabel and the U of M community for an exciting virtual conversation commemorating 50 years of U of M women’s varsity athletics and Title IX. President Gabel will highlight the tremendous accomplishments of current and former female student-athletes, coaches, and teams, and sit down with four women who have helped shape the history of U of M women’s varsity athletics. 11:30 a.m.
Apr. 12 - An Evening with Professor Nadine Strossen: Why Should Hate Mongers and Extremists Have Free Speech Rights?
The Department of Political Science will host a discussion and Q&A with Nadine Strossen, chaired Professor Emerita at New York Law School and past national president of the American Civil Liberties Union (1991-2008). Strossen is a leading expert and frequent speaker and media commentator on constitutional law and civil liberties. 6-7:30 p.m., Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
UMTC Featured Events
March 24 - Spotlight Series: Voter Access & Agency and Election Security
March 26 - Spotlight Science: Water
March 27 - Giving Voice to the Past, featuring the University Singers
March 30 - Arboretum Plant Sale Tickets Available
Apr. 1 - Teaching with Writing Panel: Multimodal Research Projects