September 18, 2024
Inside This Issue
- Board of Regents September meeting highlights.
- A new approach to a deadly diagnosis.
- Scientists discover dual roles of antibodies in COVID-19 infections.
- Feature: All smiles.
- Awards and Recognition: The Center for Climate Literacy has received a $200,000 grant to support a summer institute for K12 educators; and more.
Top News
Board of Regents September meeting highlights
U of M health sciences leaders outlined key objectives for a unified health sciences strategic plan during the September Board of Regents meeting. The Board also reviewed President Cunningham's recommended biennial budget request, recommended 2025 state capital request, and six-year capital plan. Additionally, Regents discussed growing the University as a tech and corporate engagement hub, received an annual report on private giving, and more. See the news release for details. The Board welcomes public comment on any topic through the Board’s Virtual Forum.
A new approach to a deadly diagnosis
For more than two decades, Jeffrey Miller, an M Health Fairview hematologist/oncologist, has been fascinated by natural killer (NK) cells and their cancer-fighting power. NK cells are naturally occuring white blood cells that fight infections and other intruders. With a little coaxing in the laboratory, they can be trained to take on cancer itself. It’s an approach called NK cell therapy, and Miller and his colleagues have treated more people with it than anywhere else in the country. Now, they’re finding that it might be effective in treating one of the most deadly cancers—glioblastoma.
Scientists discover dual roles of antibodies in COVID-19 infections
Scientists at the University of Minnesota and the U of M’s Midwest Antiviral Drug Discovery Center have made a surprising discovery: antibodies can have opposite effects on viral infections in human cells. Previous research has shown that antibodies can either block the SARS-CoV-2 virus, have no effect, or, in rare cases, assist the virus in infecting cells. This study is the first to identify an antibody that can both assist and block the virus.
All smiles
At just 22 weeks gestation, the likelihood of a baby surviving is less than 50 percent. In fact, not all hospitals are prepared to deliver babies that small. But highly specialized neonatal care at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital allowed siblings Louie and Lily Gand to not only survive—but thrive.
Awards and Recognition
The Center for Climate Literacy has received a $200,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support a summer institute for K12 educators; Mary Rohman Kuhl has been honored with an Excellence in Benefits Award for leading the work of OHR’s Total Rewards team; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.
U-Wide News
SAFE-U Alerts at the University
SAFE-U Alerts are the University's emergency notification system. Alerts are sent when an event has been verified by police or emergency responders in accordance with the Clery Act. All faculty, staff, and students are required to receive SAFE-U Alerts via email, and you can update your preferences in MyU to receive texts and phone calls. If an arrest is made as a result of the incident or it has been deemed unfounded or false, an alert will not be sent. Learn more about emergency notifications at the University.
Free biostatistics consulting
The Division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science is offering statistical consulting free of charge during fall semester. Consulting sessions will be with a biostatistics faculty member and up to two biostatistics graduate students and may be virtual or in person. Consultation topics include study design, sample size/power calculations, statistical analysis and interpretation, and statistical sections of grants/manuscripts. See biostatistical consulting for more information or email Megan Schlick for an appointment at [email protected].
A plateful of prevention
There is pretty good evidence that cruciferous vegetables, high fiber, and fresh berries should be protective against cancer. Conversely, processed meats, red meat, and well-done meat can increase cancer risk, particularly for colorectal and prostate cancers. Fortunately, there are ways to lessen your exposure to these harmful chemicals, even while keeping some meat in your diet. Two Masonic Cancer Center experts explain how.
Mercado Local: A Northfield mosaic of culture and community
In the summer of 2023, the University of Minnesota Extension Southeast Regional Sustainable Development Partnership teamed up with Mercado Local of Northfield, MN, showcasing the bounty of Latin culture, food, and art in southeast Minnesota.
Research Brief: Mapping fossil fuel emissions from space
University of Minnesota researchers have developed a new tool to measure ethane from space, leading to a better understanding of fossil fuel emissions worldwide. Ethane is commonly found in natural gas and is primarily used in plastics manufacturing. See additional recent Research Briefs.
Oct. 6-Nov. 24 - Inclusive STEM Teaching Program
Enroll in the Inclusive STEM Teaching Program to advance your awareness, self-efficacy, and ability to cultivate inclusive STEM learning environments for all students, and to become a more reflective, inclusive practitioner. Faculty, instructors, and postdocs will engage in a fully online global course coupled with a U of M cohort of STEM colleagues to discuss, reflect on, and extend the learning.
Crookston
U of M Crookston recognized as a top performer in the 2024 Sustainable Campus Index
U of M Crookston has been recognized as a top performer in the 2024 Sustainable Campus Index in the area of research and overall excellence among baccalaureate institutions. A publication of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, the Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities overall and in 17 impact areas.
Sept. 21-22 - U of M Crookston to host baseball and softball alumni weekend
U of M Crookston Golden Eagles baseball and softball teams will have an alumni game at noon, Sept. 21. Free food and drink will be provided and UMC Teambackers will be hosting a tailgate prior to the games. Following the alumni game, Minnesota Crookston baseball will host its Alumni Banquet at the Crookston Inn and Convention Center. Learn more about Alumni and Family weekend.
Duluth
UMD alumnus builds community close to campus
Ken Wright was a senior at UMD when he had the opportunity to buy a pizza shop where he’d been working himself through college. He had been just a few credits short of a degree, and after 11 years, he returned to finish his schooling. Wright’s is a story of drive and perseverance, and demonstrates that not everyone’s college journey follows the same path.
Finding community
Today there are about 3,400 American Indian and Alaska Native physicians in the United States—less than 1 percent of the physician workforce. That statistic motivates ZhaaZhaawaanong Greensky to keep working toward a career in medicine. She recently completed her second year at the University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth. She says the school’s Center of American Indian and Minority Health has been an indispensable resource for her in her journey.
Sept. 25 - AILRC Fall Feast
The American Indian Learning Resource Center’s (AILRC) Fall Feast features alumni speakers from UMD’s Tribal Administration and Governance Masters Program. Jaylen Strong (Bois Forte Band) and Nicole Smith (La Courte Oreilles Band) will talk about their academic experience as Native students and how “Education is not a one size fits all concept.” Noon-2 p.m., Kirby Ballroom. The gathering features a light luncheon.
Morris
Five inducted into Cougar Hall of Fame
Five alums have been announced as the newest inductees into the Cougar Athletics Hall of Fame. The inductees include Diane Blommel '11, Mark Freitag '96, Patrick O'Connor '10, Nic (Rettig) Remer '07, and Todd Vanek '94.
Sept. 19 - Healing Ceremony
With the guidance of the campus American Indian Advisory Committee and Dakota and Anishinaabe elders, U of M Morris will hold its annual Healing Ceremony as part of efforts towards truth telling, understanding, and healing regarding the history of the campus.
Rochester
Regents approve new UMR Campus Plan
During its September meeting, the Board of Regents approved a new Campus Plan for the University of Minnesota Rochester. The plan will be a catalyst for UMR’s “Bolder” future development, as the campus continues to innovate and expand academic programs in concert with the health care workforce needs at Mayo Clinic, across Minnesota, and beyond. Crafted over the last academic year with input from students, faculty, staff, and community partners, the plan advances nine “big ideas,” including essential near-term priorities to guide expansion in the next three years.
Oct. 4-5 - Parent and Family Weekend
U of M Rochester will host Parent and Family Weekend, which will include a welcome brunch and faculty-led presentation, a trolley tour of Rochester landmarks, and a magician mentalist performance at the Historic Chateau Theatre. The weekend also includes the annual scholarship celebration, recognizing students and their benefactors, with families present.
Twin Cities
More than a building
When patients and families arrive at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital, they quickly realize they are not alone on their medical journey. They are surrounded by compassionate caregivers and brilliant researchers who have dedicated their lives to improving children’s health. Take a look inside M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital and see the special spaces where kids and families find hope, healing, and happiness.
Disease detectives
In recent years, the School of Public Health’s (SPH) focus on applied health has helped create a pathway from SPH to the CDC’s elite Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Since 2020 at least 10 SPH graduates have gone on to be accepted into the EIS, a highly selective two-year, post-graduate program whose participants are known as “disease detectives” and who are often on the front lines of confronting the nation’s leading public health challenges.
Art alum curates murals from the Minneapolis uprising
As “Art and Artifact: Murals from the Minneapolis Uprising” opens in the Katherine E. Nash Gallery, curator Amira McLendon '24 reflects on the exhibition of plywood murals created in 2020 in the wake of George Floyd's murder and how Memorialize the Movement led her to an interest in curating and archiving artwork.
Researching the rural-urban divide at the state fair
Brianna Kreft is a second-year graduate student in the Department of Political Science studying American politics and political methodology. This summer, she brought her research project, "Who Likes Politics Anyway? The Rural-Urban Divide in Political Attitudes," to the Minnesota State Fair. Read a Q&A to learn more about Kreft's research and experience at the fair.
Campus bike library lends low-cost, carbon-free mobility
When the Nice Ride bike-sharing system ended operations in 2022, program owner Lyft donated its remaining serviceable bikes to the University of Minnesota. This donation enabled the U to start Gopher Bikes, a bike library for students, with no fleet acquisition costs.
Campus Club fall membership drive
Join the Campus Club during its annual fall membership drive for just $4 per pay period and receive a free lunch and gift. Sign up online or stop by the Campus Club, 4th floor, Coffman Union.
Teaching with Writing fall 2024 series
The fall 2024 Teaching With Writing Series includes programming on a range of topics, including research writing, writing opportunities for advanced learners, and working ethically with generative AI. Faculty members, instructors, and graduate students are invited to register for workshops, lunchtime panels, and a book circle. The next event, Faculty Writers and Teaching with Writing, takes place Sept. 25. Events are free, but pre-registration is required.
Sept. 24-26 - Cops and Coffee
Stop by Cops and Coffee, where members of the Department of Public Safety will be handing out coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts and will be available to answer questions from the U of M community about campus safety. Sept. 24, 8:30 a.m., West Bank Bridgehead; Sept. 25, 7:45 a.m., Union Street Plaza; Sept. 26, 7:45 a.m., outside Coffey Hall, St. Paul.
Sept. 26 - U Market Supplier Showcase
Faculty and staff are invited to the U Market Supplier Showcase, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Great Hall, Coffman Union. More than 50 U Market suppliers will be available to discuss your purchasing needs. There will also be games, prizes, and a free lunch.
Featured events
Sept. 19-20 - Public Interest Communications: What Is It? How Do You Do It? Why Should You?
Sept. 23 - Electroposium 2.0: Shaping the Electrified Future
Sept. 23 - Paid Care and Supporting Diverse Older Adults and their Family Care Partners
Sept. 24 - 2024 Community Engagement Fair
Sept. 24 - Health Sciences Libraries Open House
Sept. 25 - Liberal Arts Engagement Hub open house
Oct. 2 - Is Racial Realignment Remaking American Party Politics?
Oct. 7 - Silha Lecture: The Free Speech Recession and How to Reverse It: Five Lessons from History