Register by March 17 for Science & Technology Banquet
Registration closes on Tuesday, March 17 for the Institute of Technology’s 2009 Science & Technology Banquet. The premier scholarship fundraiser and networking event is Thursday, March 26 at the Hilton Minneapolis. The evening begins with a reception at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and program at 7:30 p.m.
The keynote speaker is Cynthia Lesher, retired president and CEO of Northern States Power Company-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy Company. Lesher will present “Energy—It’s Everyone’s Business,” a presentation about how energy issues affect the future of our nation, including supplying a qualified workforce to develop renewable energy sources and developing energy self-reliance. Read more and register>>
Medical devices conference early-bird registration ends March 29
Early-bird registration ends March 29 for the University of Minnesota’s seventh annual Design of Medical Devices (DMD) Conference, April 14-16 at the Radisson University Hotel, 615 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis. The conference includes two days of technical/clinical sessions and the one-day Annual President's 21st Century Interdisciplinary Conference entitled “Translational Research: From Prototype to Product.”
The entire three-day event will promote the medical device industry and provide a forum to bring together medical device designers, manufacturers, researchers, and representatives from the public sector. The Institute of Technology is one of the sponsors of this event along with a multitude of medical device companies and other University of Minnesota partners. In support of health and wellness, the Design of Medical Devices Conference and the Medical Devices Center is hosting a free 5K fun run at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 13 on the U of M campus. Read more>>
University President highlights budget challenges in State of the U address
University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks acknowledged tough budget times ahead for the University during his State of the University address on March 5. He told the audience he fears the U could see a $200 million cut in its base funding as the state grapples with a projected $4.6 billion deficit. He also noted that the proposed budget cut could mean that this year, for the first time in the University’s history, tuition revenue would contribute substantially more to the University’s operating budget than state support. On the positive side, Bruininks cited the strength of the University’s research enterprise which garnered $675 million in sponsored funding in 2007. Read speech or watch video>>
University announces restructuring of Graduate School
In February, University Provost Tom Sullivan announced a restructuring of the University’s graduate school. The plan is to reconfigure the Graduate School from a free-standing administrative unit to an Office of Graduate Education within the Provost's Office. Ultimate responsibility and accountability for the quality of individual graduate programs will reside with the collegiate deans and department heads, while the Office of Graduate Education will be responsible for oversight, coordination, and leadership on issues related to graduate education.
The goal is to streamline targeted operations and reduce costs by leveraging capabilities and systems that already exist within departments and colleges. Institute of Technology Dean Steven Crouch has been asked to chair the University-wide graduate education restructuring implementation team consisting of directors of graduate studies, faculty and the student president of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly. Read more>>
U of M is ranked among the top workplaces for postdoctoral scholars
The University of Minnesota has been named among the top 10 workplaces for postdoctoral scholars in the United States in an annual survey conducted by The Scientist, an international magazine of the life sciences. The ranking places the University among top-tier public and private laboratories, agencies, and companies. The top rank went to the MIT-affiliated prestigious Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, followed by such innovative names as Sandia National Laboratories, Novartis, and Genentech. At number 10, the University stands out as the top and only public university among the top 20. Read more>>
University hosts regional robotics competition April 3–4
More than 100 high school robotics teams from Minnesota and surrounding states will gather at the University of Minnesota’s Mariucci and Williams arenas, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., April 3-4 to compete in the Minnesota Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. The University’s Institute of Technology is one of the hosts of the event. The event is free and open to the public. Bring the whole family to enjoy this exciting competition. Opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. each day. Championship matches are 1–4 p.m., Saturday, April 4. Read more or watch a video simulation of this year’s game>>
Save the Date: UMAA event and IT Dean’s Club reception are May 1
The 2009 University of Minnesota Alumni Association Annual Celebration features dinner and a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 on Friday, May 1. The alumni reception and dinner begin at 5:30 p.m. in the University Recreation Center followed by the concert at Northrop Memorial Auditorium at 8 p.m. The concert features the University Symphony Orchestra, combined choirs, and a performance by Dean Billmeyer on the organ. Tickets will be on sale soon and more information about being seated with other Institute of Technology alumni will be included in the April edition of ITems.
A reception honoring members of the Institute of Technology Dean's Club will precede the University of Minnesota Alumni Association Annual Celebration beginning at 4 p.m. on May 1 in the University Ballroom of the Radisson University Hotel. The Dean's Club includes donors who support the Institute of Technology with annual gifts of $1,000 or more. Read more>>
Researchers find that online interactive gaming communities are providing new ways to study human behavior
A research study by University of Minnesota computer science professor Jaideep Srivastava and colleagues from across the country shows that online, interactive gaming communities are now so massive that they mirror traditional communities. These findings are creating a new evolution of social science research where researchers are able to study human behavior using the game. The research team analyzed three years of data (over 60 terabytes) from the complete server logs and click-streams of Sony's popular PC game EverQuest 2. Read more>>
Physics professor served as science advisor for “Watchmen” movie
Physics professor James Kakalios served as a science advisor for the Warner Brothers movie “Watchmen” released March 6. Filmmakers for the highly anticipated superhero movie heard about Kakalios through his book, "The Physics of Superheroes," and wanted him to be the film's science consultant. In a popular video produced by the University of Minnesota posted on YouTube, Kakalios discusses how quantum mechanics can explain Dr. Manhattan's super human powers in the film. He also talks about how he became an expert on the topic of the physics of superheroes. The video has been viewed more than 1.2 million times on YouTube. Watch video>>
Honors
Alumnus Ali Abdi (EE Ph.D. ’01) has received the 2008 New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame Innovators Award for his work on underwater acoustic communication using particle velocity channels for data communications.
Electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. candidates Pranav Agarwal and John Keane have received IBM Fellowship Awards. This is an intensely competitive program which honors exceptional Ph.D. students in many academic disciplines and areas of study.
Alumni Mark Lundstrom (EE '73, MS '74) and Jeff Dean (CSci '90) have been elected to the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest professional distinctions accorded to engineers. Lundstrom was recognized for his leadership in microelectronics and nanoelectronics, and Dean was recognized for his contributions to the science and engineering of large-scale distributed computer systems.
Assistant professor Yoichiro Mori (mathematics) has been awarded a Sloan Research Fellowship which recognizes outstanding faculty early in their careers. Two former postdoctoral researchers from the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications Gerard Awanou and Chiu-Yen Kao also received the award. Since the inception of the Sloan Research Fellowships, 38 fellows have later been awarded the Nobel Prize in their respective fields.
Associate professor Paige Novak (civil engineering) has been named a 2009 Leopold Leadership Fellow based on her exceptional scientific qualifications, demonstrated leadership ability, and strong interest in communicating science beyond traditional academic audiences.
Graduate student Madhukar Reddy (chemical engineering and materials science) received the Young Scientist Award at the 36th Annual Conference on the Physics and Chemistry of Surfaces and Interfaces. Reddy was cited for his work leading to an understanding of surface reconstruction transformations occurring on the technologically important GaAs semiconductor surfaces, thus resolving a three-decade old puzzle.
Alumnus Liuqing Yang (EE Ph.D. ’04) has received the prestigious 2008 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, a highly competitive five-year award that supports the early career development of promising young researchers.
The University of Minnesota chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) has been selected as one of EWB-USA's Premier Chapters for 2008. Students will accept the award at the Engineers Without Borders-USA International Conference in Milwaukee on March 26-29.
Media Watch
U of M research finds most road salt is making it into the state's lakes and rivers
University of Minnesota establishes Program in Industrial and Systems Engineering
In response to the growing industry need for engineers who can design large-scale systems and processes to save time and money, the University of Minnesota has established an independent Program in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Feb. 11: Star Tribune; University News; Feb. 17: Minnesota Daily
University professor serves as expert witness
University computer science and engineering assistant professor Yongdae Kim, who specializes in group and network security, will serve as an expert witness in the upcoming court case of the Recording Industry vs. Jammie Thomas, in which Thomas is being accused of massive online distribution of copyrighted music. Feb. 12: p2p
Battling misinformation in the information age
Computer science and engineering graduate student Reid Priedhorsky, who studies Wikipedia and similar social projects, estimated in a recent paper that the chances of any one visitor seeing a damaged Wikipedia page are about one in 140 since the average time it takes to repair damage is less than three minutes and even less for heavily tracked pages. Feb. 12: Pretoria News
Online gaming communities mirror traditional societies
The Jan. 30 flooding of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences building cost the University of Minnesota more than $1 million in damage. Feb. 15: Minnesota Daily
Mystery surrounds perfect hole in snow
An University of Minnesota astronomy expert dismisses the likelihood of any sort of space debris creating a mysterious hole in the snow. Feb. 16:
KMSP–TV
Phantom cell phone vibrations? It could be all in your head
Paul Schrater, a psychology professor who also works with the University’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering, says there have been no formal studies of the phenomenon of so called phantom cell phone vibrations, but he offers a pretty good theory for why phones seem to vibrate in a pocket when no one is calling. Feb. 16: KABB–TV, TX; KARE–TV; KFOR–TV, OK; WTEN –TV, NY
Institute of Technology may receive funds from economic stimulus
Institute of Technology Associate Dean for Research and Planning Mos Kaveh said the national economic stimulus allocation to the National Science Foundation will impact colleges at the University of Minnesota like the Institute of Technology “in a big way.” Feb. 18: Minnesota Daily
The bridge to smart technology
Catherine French, civil engineering professor, discusses sensors and other electronics that constantly monitor the concrete for any weaknesses or structural damage. The new I-35W bridge is one of the "smartest" bridges in the U.S. Feb. 19: Business Week
Consultation the focus of Grad School implementation team
Institute of Technology Dean Steven Crouch will chair a University-wide graduate education restructuring team. Feb. 21: Minnesota Daily; Feb. 24: Minnesota Daily
Two head back to 'school'
Red Wing public school teachers have been awarded grants through the Red Wing Public School Foundation’s Fund For Teachers to view the scientific laboratory operated by the University of Minnesota that studies particle physics. Feb. 21:
Red Wing Republican Eagle
U of M grad student discovers new species of dinosaur
Geology and geophysics graduate student Peter Rose has discovered a new species of dinosaur that lived millions of years ago in what is now Texas. Feb. 24: KSTP–TV Twin Cities Live
U of M Professor helps spread science at Tech Fest
Aerospace engineering and mechanics assistant professor James Flaten helped kids experiment and learn about science and engineering at this year's Tech Fest.
Feb. 24: KMSP–TV
Stalagmites confirm 9,000-year lower Brazil rainfall
University of Minnesota geoscientists dated samples of stalagmites using radiometric methods, for researchers studying climate history in Brazil’s dry Nordeste region. Feb. 25: Newswise
IMA hosts lecture on sports scheduling
The University of Minnesota Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) hosted Carnegie Mellon University professor Michael Trick who discussed "Sports Scheduling and the Practice of Operations Research." Feb. 25: University News; March 3: Minnesota Daily; March 6: MinnPost
Events
Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Centennial Seminar Series
March 10: Dr. Mary Leigh Wolfe from Virginia Tech will present "Water Management within the TMDL Framework." 3–4 p.m. Seminar; 4–5 p.m. Reception. North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center. Visit the Web site.
Meeting the Standards of Scientific Inquiry in Community-Engaged Research
March 10: This Public Engagement Symposium, sponsored by the Office for Public Engagement, will bring together representatives from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health to discuss the role of community engagement in development and implementing scientific investigations. 9 a.m.–noon. A.I. Johnson Great Room, McNamara Alumni Center. Visit the Web site.
Minnesota's Hidden History in Computing: The History of "Medical Alley"
March 18: How did pioneering work in medical electronics in the 1950s lead to Minnesota’s renown as a region for medical devices and electronics? This informal evening talk by Dr. David Rhees, executive director of the Bakken Library and Museum, tracks the growth and diversification of the Minnesota medical devices industry. 7–8 p.m. 120 Andersen Library, Charles Babbage Institute. Visit the Web site, or call 612-624-5050.
Higher Order Geometric Evolution Equations: Theory and Applications from Microfluidics to Image Understanding
March 23–26: This Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) Hot Topics Workshop will bring together top experts to discuss geometric motion fluid interfaces, materials applications, and biological membranes. Minneapolis campus. Visit the Web site.
Ada Comstock Distinguished Women Scholar Lecture
March 24: Professor Jane Davidson will present "Solar after Dark: Going Green at Night," which reflects her significant work in using solar energy to create fuels. A reception follows this free public lecture. 4–6 p.m. Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Visit the Web site.
Institute of Technology’s 2009 Science & Technology Banquet
March 26: The keynote speaker for this year's scholarship fundraiser is Cynthia Lesher, retired president and CEO of Northern States Power Company-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy Company. Lesher will present “Energy—It’s Everyone’s Business.” 5 p.m. Reception; 6:30 p.m. Dinner; 7:30 p.m. Keynote. Hilton Minneapolis. Visit the Web site.
Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Centennial
March 26: Various events throughout the day include: a historic commemoration of the 1923 Red Wing Project on the Utilization of Electricity in Agriculture, seminar entitled "Strategic issues for the forest and agriculture sectors in the emerging bio-economy" open house, poster session, and reception. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. St. Paul Student Center Theater, North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center. Visit the Web site.
Science Quiz Bowl
March 29: Institute of Technology students in four-person teams will test their quick recall and compete for prizes in the Science Quiz Bowl during IT Week. Faculty, students, staff, and the public are welcome to attend. The competition is sponsored by the Mathematics Library and the Science and Engineering Library. Free. 1–8 p.m.; Championship match, 7:30 p.m. 101 Walter Library. Call 612-624-9395, or visit the Web site.
IT Week
March 29–April 4: Celebrate IT Week with a variety of campus events to celebrate science, engineering, and mathematics education within the Institute of Technology. Events will include a Science Quiz Bowl for students, a Pi-mile run, and other campus events. Visit the Web site.
Minnesota Regional FIRST Robotics Competition
April 3–4: More than 100 high school robotics teams from Minnesota and surrounding states will gather at the University of Minnesota's Williams and Mariucci arenas to compete in the Minnesota Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. The event is free and open to the public. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., April 3–4; championship matches from 2–3 p.m., April 4. Williams and Mariucci arenas. Visit the Web site.
The Healing Forest: The Origin and Discovery of Natural Organic Medicines from
the Forbidden Forests of Africa and the Amazon in Peru
April 7: North Star STEM Alliance lecture series presents keynote speaker Dr. Eloy Rodriguez, the James. A. Perkins Endowed Professor of Environmental Studies at Cornell University. The event is free and open to the public. The lecture also is available via Webinar. Contact Crystal Schwietz to make arrangements. 5:30 p.m. Reception and student research poster session; 7:30 p.m. lecture. Bell Museum of Natural History Auditorium.
Looking Ahead
Design of Medical Devices Conference
April 14–16: This three-day conference includes two days of technical/clinical sessions plus a one-day Annual President's 21st Century Interdisciplinary Conference. The conference brings together medical device designers, manufacturers, researchers, and representatives from the public sector. The Institute of Technology is one of the sponsors of this event. Radisson University Hotel-Minneapolis. Visit the Web site.
Engineering the Future of Biomedicine
Sept. 2–6: The 31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC'09) technical program will consist of plenary and keynote lectures, workshops, symposia, and other sessions, in which the leading experts from all around the world will present state-of-the-art reviews of rapidly-developing and exciting areas, report the latest significant findings and developments in all the major fields of biomedical engineering, and discuss government and industry related issues. Hilton Minneapolis. Visit the Web site.
Registration closes on Tuesday, March 17 for the Institute of Technology’s 2009 Science & Technology Banquet. The premier scholarship fundraiser and networking event is Thursday, March 26 at the Hilton Minneapolis. The evening begins with a reception at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and program at 7:30 p.m.
Physics professor James Kakalios served as a science advisor for the Warner Brothers movie “Watchmen” released March 6. Filmmakers for the highly anticipated superhero movie heard about Kakalios through his book, "The Physics of Superheroes," and wanted him to be the film's science consultant. In a popular video produced by the University of Minnesota posted on YouTube, Kakalios discusses how quantum mechanics can explain Dr. Manhattan's super human powers in the film. He also talks about how he became an expert on the topic of the physics of superheroes. The video has been viewed more than 1.2 million times on YouTube.