Notice: Brief will not publish on Nov. 23.
- Red-supergiant supernova images reveal secrets of an earlier universe.
- Feature: A passion for fighting the leading cause of death.
- Awards and Recognition: Announcing the recipients of the 2021-22 Imagine Fund awards; and more.
Red-supergiant supernova images reveal secrets of an earlier universe
An international research team led by the University of Minnesota has measured the size of a star that exploded more than 11 billion years ago. Detailed images show the exploding star cooling and could help scientists learn more about the stars and galaxies present in the early universe.
A passion for fighting the leading cause of death
Brad Peterson lost both his father and brother to heart disease. So when he, too, was diagnosed with heart failure, he knew he wanted to find the best doctors for his open-heart surgery. The first successful open-heart surgery was performed at the University of Minnesota nearly 70 years ago. Today, heart surgeon Ranjit John, head of the Medical School’s cardiothoracic division, carries on the legacy of caring for patients like Peterson, who have complex heart issues.
Awards and Recognition
Announcing the recipients of the 2021-22 Imagine Fund awards; the College of Pharmacy has received a $750,000 grant to continue diversifying the pharmacy workforce; Joseph Gaugler has been named editor-in-chief of The Gerontologist journal; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.
What the oldest Antarctic ice can tell us about climate change
Assistant Research Professor Peter Neff is a glaciologist and climate scientist working to develop glacier ice core records of past climate, environmental conditions, and atmospheric chemistry. In an upcoming project in Antarctica, Neff will be directing multiple field projects through the Center for Oldest Ice Exploration, or COLDEX. Here, Neff talks about his ongoing work.
Itasca Ecohealth IPE Experience: Exploring sustainability through collaboration
This fall, the Center for Interprofessional Health and the Office of Academic Clinical Affairs brought a group of eight interprofessional learners to the Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories in north central Minnesota for the Itasca Ecohealth IPE Experience. The intensive weekend-long collaborative learning retreat is designed to foster appreciation for ecohealth principles and geopolitical considerations in health.
Research Brief: Childhood lead exposure harms cognition later in life
Children who were exposed to lead in their drinking water have worse cognitive functioning more than 50 years later. The new research from the University of Minnesota is the first to estimate the long-term consequences of childhood lead exposure using data collected from a nationally representative sample of Americans.
Nov. 17 - Give to the Max Day
Join your colleagues and the University-wide community in showing your U of M pride by using #UMNGive on social media, and by supporting your favorite University cause during the University of Minnesota’s Give to the Max Day. Your support will go even further because of special one-day matches, and a gift or social media shout-out could win your U of M cause up to $50,000 in bonus funds.
Nov. 28 - Voice, Art, Community series event
Join Minnesota poets and scholars Heid Erdrich, Sun Yung Shin, and Douglas Kearney in conversation for the next event in the Voice, Art, Community series, “Burial Rituals of the Habitual Tomorrow.” 5 p.m., Best Buy Theater, Northrop, and live online. Learn more and register.
U of M Crookston and Archi's Institute offer agribusiness opportunity for veterans and service members
After leaving the military, some veterans are unsure of what they’ll do for a career or how to provide for their family. A new partnership between U of M Crookston and Archi’s Institute for Sustainable Agriculture helps lead people from military service to agriculture via 16 credits of courses towards a certificate in agricultural business.
Nov. 19 - Culture show: Festivals of Asia
The UMD Asian Pacific American Association (APAA) annual event showcases singing, dancing, and other performances as students show pride in their cultures by honoring tradition, culture, and heritage and sharing with others. A dinner and fashion show are included. 4:30 p.m., Kirby Ballroom, Kirby Student Center.
Nov. 21 - ‘Waking Up with War: Moral and Business Choices after February 24 in Russia’
The 2022-23 Royal D. Alworth, Jr. Memorial Lecture will focus on implications of the war in Ukraine, featuring Walter Denz, co-founder and manager of SIA Liden & Denz: Intercultural Institute of Languages, and former chairman of the Deutsche Schule Petersburg at the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany. 7 p.m., 4th Floor Rotunda, Kathryn A. Martin Library.
Nov. 30 - ‘Riga: A Modern, Vibrant City Grappling with a Complicated Wartime Past’
“Riga: A Modern, Vibrant City Grappling with a Complicated Wartime Past” will be presented by Natalie Belsky, UMD assistant professor of history. Belsky’s talk will focus on sites connected with the history of the Holocaust and Jewish life in the city and how the country is coming to grips with a fraught and complicated wartime history. Noon, 4th Floor Rotunda, Kathryn A. Martin Library.
Nov. 19 - Native American boarding school teach-in
The U of M Morris will hold a teach-in about the history and impact of Native American boarding schools, including the ones that operated on the Morris campus site. The keynote speaker is Brenda Child (Red Lake Ojibwe), Northrop Professor of American Studies and American Indian Studies, University of Minnesota Twin Cities. 8:30 a.m., 109 Imholte Hall.
2007 graduate named 2022 Latterell Visiting Alumnus
The University of Minnesota Morris has named Joey Iverson, assistant professor of mathematics at Iowa State University, the 2022 Latterell Visiting Alumnus. In addition to meetings with students and faculty, Iverson will deliver the 2022 Latterell Visiting Alumnus Lecture on Nov. 21, 7 p.m., in the Science Auditorium.
Morris named a ‘Hidden Gem’ by College Raptor
The University of Minnesota Morris has been selected as a 2023 “Hidden Gem” in a recent announcement by College Raptor, a leading college planning platform that helps families discover college matches. Morris was selected for Hidden Gems for STEM, and Best Hidden Gems for Middle-Class Affordability. U of M Morris was also recently ranked #1 in "Best Colleges in Minnesota" for 2023 by EdSmart.
Search launch: vice chancellor for academic affairs and innovation
U of M Rochester has launched its search for the next vice chancellor for academic affairs and innovation, supported by the search firm Isaacson, Miller. The UMR community is seeking experienced candidates who resonate with the vision and grounding values of this growing health sciences campus. The next vice chancellor will be a champion for evidence-based teaching and UMR’s distinctive research focus on student learning and development.
Resilience, Well-being and Mental Health Career Pathway
UMR's innovative degree programs and integrated curriculum provide students with a foundational health sciences education in six distinct health career pathways. Discover how Kristin Trettel navigated her time at UMR to become a licensed professional clinical counselor. Learn more about UMR’s Resilience, Well-being and Mental Health Pathway.
Beyond the Nest podcast: ‘It Takes Guts’
In this episode of UMR’s alumni podcast Beyond the Nest, Rochester Student Association president Patricia Hernandez ’24 speaks with Chancellor Lori J. Carrell about her UMR journey through the pandemic, including what she has learned about leadership and her newly discovered aspiration to become a professor.
Update your course materials for spring 2023
For every course you teach, University Libraries creates a page in Canvas specific to your particular course. Canvas allows you to customize this page by adding articles, e-books, links, items requiring a royalty payment, and more—all in the form of a reading list. University Libraries will purchase e-books for your class if available and obtain copyright permissions if necessary. Learn more and update your course materials.
Joshua Muñoz: veteran, teacher, beekeeper, and honey ambassador
At the tail end of his University of Minnesota graduate program in agriculture education, Joshua Muñoz is already teaching at Como Park High School in St. Paul. Also a U.S. military veteran and participant in University of Minnesota Extension programs, Muñoz answers six questions during National Veterans Month.
The teacher in the living room
Jinglin Li was a high school junior when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. She adjusted well to remote learning, but noticed that her elementary-age siblings were challenged by the sudden shift. So Li decided to launch a web-based tutoring service for K-12 students. Now that service—Living Room Tutors—serves hundreds of students, with tutors and students from across the country taking part in the program.
Apply to be a Farm at the Arb apprentice
The Farm at the Arb apprenticeship is offered each year from February to October and includes hands-on, technical training in vegetable growing—designed for beginning growers, skilled workers, and people pursuing career changes. Applications are due Nov. 30.
Dec. 6 - Distinguished Carlson Lecture: Nikole Hannah-Jones
The Humphrey School of Public Affairs will welcome Pulitzer Prize–winning writer Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of The 1619 Project, as the next speaker in its Distinguished Carlson Lecture series. 6 p.m., Northrop.
UMTC featured events
Nov. 16 - Global Perspectives on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Nov. 17-Jan. 1 - U of M Landscape Arboretum Winter Lights 2022
Nov. 17 - The Laws of War with Prof. Ní Aoláin and guest Prof. Petr Stejskal
Nov. 18 - Pop up exhibit: Bodies and anatomy
Nov. 21 - Community Engagement Scholars Program Info Session
Dec. 2 - First Fridays: Food! Glorious Food!