Education (Colleges & Universities)
Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
$25,000 Endowment Established to Support Rockabilly Exhibit at A-State Museum
JONESBORO, Arkansas, April 6 -- Arkansas State University posted the following news:* * *
$25,000 Endowment Established to Support Rockabilly Exhibit at A-State Museum
*
JONESBORO - Arkansas State University has received a $25,000 gift to establish the A-State Norris "Ray" Dacus Rockabilly Exhibit Endowment Fund, ensuring permanent support for the A-State Museum's popular exhibit, "Rockabilly! The Northeast Arkansas Story."
The gift was made from the estate of Norris "Ray" Dacus of Mountain Home and facilitated by his niece, Dana Kennedy of Jonesboro, to honor his life and love of music ... Show Full Article JONESBORO, Arkansas, April 6 -- Arkansas State University posted the following news: * * * $25,000 Endowment Established to Support Rockabilly Exhibit at A-State Museum * JONESBORO - Arkansas State University has received a $25,000 gift to establish the A-State Norris "Ray" Dacus Rockabilly Exhibit Endowment Fund, ensuring permanent support for the A-State Museum's popular exhibit, "Rockabilly! The Northeast Arkansas Story." The gift was made from the estate of Norris "Ray" Dacus of Mountain Home and facilitated by his niece, Dana Kennedy of Jonesboro, to honor his life and love of musicin perpetuity.
Dacus was a lifelong music enthusiast who played bass guitar with Sonny Burgess and other well-known musicians who recorded at Sun Studios in Memphis, the birthplace of the rockabilly sound. While he worked full-time at General Electric in Jonesboro, playing music remained his true passion throughout his life. Dacus lived to be 90 years old.
"Rockabilly! The Northeast Arkansas Story," explores Northeast Arkansas' significant role in shaping and spreading rockabilly music, an early form of rock 'n' roll most widely associated with Elvis Presley's 1954 debut recording, "That's All Right." The exhibit highlights how regional musicians blended blues, country, gospel and other musical traditions to create a distinctive sound that helped define an era.
"This exhibit means a great deal to our family," Kennedy said. "My uncle loved this music, and being able to honor his memory while sharing that history with my grandchildren and future visitors feels especially meaningful."
Through interactive listening stations, visitors can hear recordings from regional rockabilly musicians and learn what set the genre apart in the pre-rock 'n' roll era. Hands-on features allow guests to isolate and mix musical elements that define rockabilly, while additional displays explore its roots and evolution through biographies, instruments and historically significant sound equipment used by area artists.
The exhibit also showcases music from influential performers such as the late Sonny Burgess and Larry Donn, alongside stories of lesser-known musicians who contributed to the movement from rural communities across Northeast Arkansas.
"Rockabilly music has deep roots in Northeast Arkansas, and this exhibit helps tell a story that connects our region to the early history of rock 'n' roll," said Elisabeth Engel, director of the Arkansas State University Museum. "This endowment ensures that visitors will continue to explore and experience the sounds, stories and cultural impact of rockabilly for generations to come."
The newly established endowment will provide long-term financial support for the exhibit, helping preserve the musical heritage of the region and ensuring future generations can experience the story of Northeast Arkansas rockabilly.
For more information about this and other opportunities to give at A-State, contact the Office of Development at 870-972-3940 or development@AState.edu.
***
Original text here: https://www.astate.edu/about/news/25000-endowment-established-to-support-rockabilly-exhibit-at-a-state-museum.html
A new mouse model of virus-driven liver cancer may open the door to better diagnosis and treatments
NEW YORK, April 6 -- Rockefeller University posted the following news:* * *
A new mouse model of virus-driven liver cancer may open the door to better diagnosis and treatments
*
Liver cancer is one of the world's deadliest cancers, and most cases are linked to chronic viral hepatitis. Yet scientists have lacked an animal model that faithfully recapitulates how the disease unfolds in people, from initial infection with a virus to liver inflammation, scarring, and cancer.
Now, researchers at The Rockefeller University have developed that model, as described in the Journal of Hepatology. By ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, April 6 -- Rockefeller University posted the following news: * * * A new mouse model of virus-driven liver cancer may open the door to better diagnosis and treatments * Liver cancer is one of the world's deadliest cancers, and most cases are linked to chronic viral hepatitis. Yet scientists have lacked an animal model that faithfully recapitulates how the disease unfolds in people, from initial infection with a virus to liver inflammation, scarring, and cancer. Now, researchers at The Rockefeller University have developed that model, as described in the Journal of Hepatology. Byinfecting ordinary laboratory mice with an engineered version of Norway rat hepacivirus (NrHV)-a close relative of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-and tracking the animals over 18 months, the team documented the progression from chronic viral hepatitis to spontaneous liver cancer.
"This model fills a critical gap that has long existed in the field," says Charles M. Rice, whose Laboratory of Virology and Infectious disease helmed the study. "For the first time, we have a system in which natural chronic viral infection drives liver cancer in an immunologically healthy animal, opening the door to studies and preclinical trials that simply weren't possible before."
A surrogate for hepatitis
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. More than 75% of people who develop HCC have a chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). These infections are known to lead to ongoing liver inflammation and scarring but how they ultimately trigger HCC is not fully understood.
Since hepatitis viruses are highly species-specific, scientists have been hampered by the inability to infect mice with the human virus to study how chronic infection progresses to cancer. Some researchers have tried adapting the virus, engineering mouse liver cells to contain human proteins, or transplanting human liver tissue into mice, but none of the models fully mimicked the full arc of hepatitis-driven HCC.
The path forward came from New York City rats. About a decade ago, researchers at Columbia University discovered NrHV circulating in the city's rat population. NrHV is closely related to HCV and naturally infects rats' liver cells. Earlier work from the Rice lab established that NrHV could infect laboratory mice leading to liver inflammation resembling that seen in humans with HCV.
The logical next question was whether chronic NrHV infection would drive the same kind of progressive liver disease seen in patients.
"The central question was whether chronic viral infection alone, without any additional genetic manipulation or chemical insult, could take mice all the way from hepatitis to liver cancer," says first author Mariana Nogueira Batista, a research associate in the Rice lab. "The answer turned out to be yes."
From infection to cancer
To establish persistent infection, the researchers temporarily suppressed the animals' immune systems. This allowed the virus to take hold; the immune systems then recovered and remained intact for the rest of the 18-month study.
What followed closely tracked the course of chronic HCV in people. Infected mice developed liver inflammation patterns that closely mirror those seen in human disease, including distinctive clusters of immune cells in the liver that are considered a hallmark of HCV. Liver scarring steadily progressed over the following months. By 18 months post infection (equivalent to a human in their 50s or 60s), 67 percent of infected mice had developed HCC, compared to just 4 percent of uninfected controls, and the tumors resembled those seen in humans with HCV-associated human liver cancers.
"This is not just a model of hepatitis-it's a model of the full disease continuum," Batista says. "Chronic infection, scarring, and cancer all develop spontaneously, in sequence, without any chemical manipulation or engineered cancer-causing mutations."
Male mice were more than twice as likely to develop HCC than females, mirroring the sex disparity in the cancer in humans. And some mice that spontaneously cleared the virus yet still went on to develop cancer, echoing elevated cancer risk even in people who have been cured of hepatitis C.
A platform for new therapies
Because the mice have intact immune systems and the course of liver disease so closely mimicked what is seen in humans, the new animal models represent a leap forward for researchers to study exactly how viruses and the immune system work together to trigger HCC.
"We don't fully understand what the virus contributes and what the immune system contributes to disease development," Batista says. "Now we have a model to start answering those questions."
The mice can be used, for instance, to test immune-based therapies currently used to treat HCC, to understand why these treatments work in some patients and fail in others.
Rice's group plans to carry out both basic research on the early stages of HCC to identify biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and explore the effects of current and new experimental therapies.
***
Original text here: https://www.rockefeller.edu/news/39337-a-new-mouse-model-of-virus-driven-liver-cancer-may-open-the-door-to-better-diagnosis-and-treatments
A Message from President Maric and Provost Alpay on the Segal Group's Findings and Recommendations
STORRS, Connecticut, April 6 -- The University of Connecticut posted the following news:* * *
A Message from President Maric and Provost Alpay on the Segal Group's Findings and Recommendations
*
Dear Colleagues,
As you will recall, the University launched an organizational assessment starting last August of our decentralized business and administrative support, along with our marketing and communications functions. Our external partner, the Segal Group, has effectively engaged since then with staff, faculty, and leaders through interviews, feedback sessions, and campus visits. We sincerely ... Show Full Article STORRS, Connecticut, April 6 -- The University of Connecticut posted the following news: * * * A Message from President Maric and Provost Alpay on the Segal Group's Findings and Recommendations * Dear Colleagues, As you will recall, the University launched an organizational assessment starting last August of our decentralized business and administrative support, along with our marketing and communications functions. Our external partner, the Segal Group, has effectively engaged since then with staff, faculty, and leaders through interviews, feedback sessions, and campus visits. We sincerelythank everyone who took the time to participate and share their valuable insights.
This broad engagement demonstrates our strong commitment to collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement, and it has established a solid foundation for confidently shaping our path forward together.
We performed this assessment to strengthen operational efficiencies, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and reduce administrative burden on staff and faculty. Assessments such as this also help us make clearer connections across the University by linking opportunities identified in one area to other operational priorities.
In addition, this assessment enables us to make data-informed decisions and optimize resources to meet accreditation standards, as we are currently in our 10th year of NECHE accreditation; strengthen the institution's reputation and sustainability; and improve student learning outcomes and the overall student experience.
We have reached a significant milestone in the Segal engagement. The assessment process is now complete, and Segal has compiled its findings and recommendations. We are moving into the next phase, which involves sharing our insights, engaging with the University community, and outlining the steps we will take as we transition from assessment to action.
With this foundation in place, we are ready to share Segal's findings and recommendations and to outline how members of our community can continue to engage as we move forward.
First, we want to acknowledge that this engagement and potential changes it could bring have raised concerns among our workforce, particularly regarding job security. With that in mind, we want to make it clear that Segal did not recommend eliminating positions or reducing the size of our workforce.
At the same time, Segal did identify opportunities for change, and we recognize that change -even when not related to staff reductions -can create uncertainty and anxiety. As we embark on the next phase of this initiative, we are committed to providing timely communication, ongoing opportunities for feedback and engagement, and other resources to support employees in adapting to change.
In their review of the business and administrative processes assessed, Segal identified four overarching themes:
* The decentralized nature of the work results in administrative inefficiencies and limits opportunities to leverage economies of scale.
* Burdensome processes and disconnected systems are increasing administrative burden.
* Uncertainty is negatively affecting morale, including concerns about transparency and communication.
* There is a need for clearer strategic direction and stronger alignment of organizational priorities.
At a high level, Segal recommends designing new models within the business and administrative areas that were assessed, which may include shared services or hybrid models that utilize both embedded and shared service functions.
At this time, no decisions have been made, and no models have been selected. This will continue to be a collaborative process in which staff and faculty input will be critical as the new organizational model is designed. Its goal is to improve service delivery, reduce administrative burdens, strengthen compliance, clarify roles, and establish sustainable workloads while expanding opportunities for staff career development and growth.
Next Steps:
The University will host an informational session, in which Segal will present the key themes, findings, and recommendations that emerged from the organizational assessment. The date and time are to be determined and will be identified and communicated very soon.
University leadership will also provide more details during the informational session about how this work will move forward, including what to expect in coming months and how community input will continue to inform the design and implementation planning.
This presentation will be recorded and posted, and will not include live Q&A. This approach will allow members of our community to hear directly from Segal and University leadership, reflect on the findings and recommendations, and take time to digest the information with opportunities for future discussions.
To support thoughtful dialogue, we will provide a series of Q&A topics for discussion, and conversation and feedback sessions will be scheduled following the presentation. These sessions are designed to create opportunities for deeper engagement once the community has had time to reflect on the findings and recommendations.
Sessions will be offered separately for business and administrative support functions and for marketing and communications, ensuring focused and relevant discussion. Information regarding the Q&A and feedback session, including registration information, will be available following the campus-wide presentation.
Your Continued Role
Your participation will remain essential as this work moves forward. We are committed to continuing this process collaboratively and transparently, with regular communication to keep the University community informed. As we consider the next steps, we will thoughtfully review and incorporate feedback shared through upcoming engagement opportunities to help guide our decision-making and implementation.
We are grateful for the continued engagement, care, and professionalism of our community, and we look forward to working together as we take these next steps and focus on building a stronger institution for all.
Sincerely,
Radenka Maric
President
Pamir Alpay
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
***
Original text here: https://today.uconn.edu/2026/04/a-message-from-president-maric-and-provost-alpay-on-the-segal-groups-findings-and-recommendations/
57 KU students receive Undergraduate Research Awards for spring 2026
LAWRENCE, Kansas, April 6 -- The University of Kansas posted the following news:* * *
57 KU students receive Undergraduate Research Awards for spring 2026
*
LAWRENCE -This spring, 57 University of Kansas students received an Undergraduate Research Award (UGRA) from the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships. UGRA recipients are awarded a $1,000 scholarship as they work on mentored research and creative projects.
Students apply for UGRAs by writing a five-page research proposal under the guidance of a mentor. Faculty reviewers evaluate the applications based on the merit of the applicant's ... Show Full Article LAWRENCE, Kansas, April 6 -- The University of Kansas posted the following news: * * * 57 KU students receive Undergraduate Research Awards for spring 2026 * LAWRENCE -This spring, 57 University of Kansas students received an Undergraduate Research Award (UGRA) from the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships. UGRA recipients are awarded a $1,000 scholarship as they work on mentored research and creative projects. Students apply for UGRAs by writing a five-page research proposal under the guidance of a mentor. Faculty reviewers evaluate the applications based on the merit of the applicant'sproposal and a recommendation from the mentor.
The Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships is now reviewing applications for 2026 summer and fall semester UGRAs, and the application portal will reopen for the 2027 spring semester in the fall. Online guidance and individual advising appointments are available to help students prepare strong applications. More information can be found on the KU UGRA webpage.
Students who received awards for spring 2026 are listed alphabetically:
Tatum Aikin, senior in microbiology; "The Effect of PTPN22 Allelic Variation on Macrophage Phenotype and Function," mentored by Robin Orozco, molecular biosciences.
Anvitha Ananthaneni, senior in behavioral neuroscience; "Electrooculography for Communication: Comparing Performance Between Augmented Reality and Screen Interfaces," mentored by Jonathan Brumberg, Department of Psychology.
Charles Andrade, sophomore in political science and global & international studies; "Made in China, Blamed in America? Foreign Cues and Voter Accountability," mentored by Jack Zhang, political science.
Parnian Arafi, senior in biochemistry; "Alzheimer-mutant I3-secretase Complexes Stall Amyloid I2-peptide Production," mentored by Michael Wolfe, medicinal chemistry.
Meghan Arias, senior in microbiology; "Determining Whether PARP14 Impairs HSV-1 Replication in a Strain-Specific Manner," mentored by David Davido, molecular biosciences.
Ananya Balakrishnan, senior in behavioral neuroscience; "A Test of Modern Anti-Black Racism and Antisemitism," mentored by Glenn Adams, social psychology.
Lucas Beach, senior in geography and global & international studies; "Fishing as a Feud: GIS Analysis of Turkish Commercial Activity and Maritime Conflict in the Kastellorizo Archipelago," mentored by Brian Lagotte, global & international studies.
Ollie Berwanger, freshman in geography; "Can Ecotourism Among the Indigenous Villages in the Chagres National Park Help Rainforest and Freshwater Conservation for Panama Canal Operations?," mentored by Peter Harry Herlihy, geography.
Jessica Bishop, senior in geography; "Bus to Bounty: Measuring the Service Quality of Lawrence and KU's Coordinated System When Connecting KU Students to Grocery Stores," mentored by Yoonjung Ahn, geography & atmospheric science.
Julianna Brandberg, senior in global & international studies; "Legislative Evolution in Spain in the 21st Century and Impacts on Human Trafficking," mentored by Brian Lagotte, global & international studies.
Sophia Brewer, senior in elementary education-unified; "Data Mountain," mentored by Lisa Didion, special education.
Molly Busenitz, senior in mechanical engineering; "Machine and Human Lip Reading: What Can They Learn from Each Other?," mentored by Sara Wilson, mechanical engineering.
Eli Cochrane, senior in psychology, political science and data science; "Savviness Signaling and the Hedged Expression of Conspiracy Beliefs," mentored by Mark Landau, psychology.
Owen Dalton, junior in microbiology; "Measuring Potential Sensory Tradeoff Using Endocranial Casts in Peromyscus Maniculatus," mentored by Allie Graham, molecular biosciences.
Joseph Discavage, senior in physics & astronomy; "Characterizing Super-Earth Exoplanets Using Data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)," mentored by Ian Crossfield, physics & astronomy.
Taylor Doyle, senior in political science, multimedia journalism and global & international studies; "Clean Curriculum: Menstrual Hygiene Education in Bangladesh's Secondary Schools," mentored by Brian Lagotte, global & international studies.
Avery Dunlap, senior in speech-language-hearing; "The Relationship of Enjoyment and Listening Comprehension in Autistic Children," mentored by Meghan Davidson, speech-language-hearing.
Benjamin Erickson, senior in elementary education; "Data Mountain," mentored by Lisa Didion, special education.
Isabella Estes, junior in physics & astronomy and mathematics; "Investigating Matter-Antimatter Asymmetry at a Future Muon Collider," mentored by Ian Lewis, physics & astronomy.
Andrew Fewins, senior in economics and global & international studies; "Securing the Spark: Evaluating the Relationship Between Spatial Scale and Cost to Defend in Ukrainian Power Infrastructure," mentored by Brian Lagotte, global & international studies.
Alexander Figueroa, senior in film & media studies (concentration: production), English (concentration: creative writing) and American studies; "Gazing Through a Glass Box," mentored by David Mai, film & media studies.
Ehrin Fonseca, sophomore in music performance; "Ecuadorian Music as a Resource to Enhance Trombone Technique in Academic Performance," mentored by Micheal Davidson, brass & percussion.
Carly Gagnon, senior in biochemistry; "The Mechanisms of Tumor Growth Inhibition by Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Induction in a Clinically Relevant Colorectal Cancer Model," mentored by Kristi Neufeld, molecular biology.
Bhavya Gupta, senior in microbiology and global & international studies; "Where Mountains Meet Medicine: How Medical Syncretism Shapes Access and Care in Rural Ladakh," mentored by Brian Lagotte, global & international studies.
Mark Horvath, senior in mechanical engineering; "Novel Application of the Lyapunov Exponent to Daily Life Data in Young and Elderly Populations," mentored by Carl Luchies, mechanical engineering.
Abby Hout, junior in microbiology; "Lake Water and Microbial Diversity: A Transect Study of Sand Microbiomes," mentored by Benjamin Sikes, ecology & evolutionary biology and the Kansas Biological Survey.
Kelsea Kilmer, senior in microbiology; "Exploring Mitogenomic and Physiological Influences on Mitochondrial Density," mentored by Emily Beck, molecular biosciences.
Phoebe Lane, senior in human biology; "The Effect of Unanticipated Trunk Contact on Knee Loading During Stop-Landing," mentored by Yu Song, health, sport & exercise science.
Hannah Lindenlaub, senior in interior architecture; "Designing for Neurodiversity: Enhancing Campus Experience for Students with ASD," mentored by Casey Franklin, interior architecture.
Hannah Loub, senior in global & international studies and multimedia journalism; "Policy in Practice: Exploring the Efficacy of Disability Policy Through the Lens of UK University Students," mentored by Brian Lagotte, global & international studies.
Gia Luc Vo, senior in biotechnology, "Does Obesity Promote Survival of B Cell Lymphoma During Treatment?," mentored by Jack Treml, School of Professional Studies.
Elizabeth Makwabe, junior in exercise science; "Menstrual Phase Influence on Athletic Performance," mentored by Quincy Johnson, health, sport & exercise sciences.
Nawfal Malik, senior in exercise science; "Backward or Forward? Comparing Hopping Directions for Identifying Knee Deficits After ACL Injury," mentored by Yu Song, exercise science.
Shea Marney, senior in political science, global & international studies and French; "Pick Up Your Books and Pens: A Study of the Fluctuations of Educational Inequality in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany Using PISA Data from 2000-2022," mentored by Brian Lagotte, global & international studies.
Terry Mechem, senior in physics & astronomy; "The Effects of Galaxy Environment on Star Formation," mentored by Gregory Rudnick, physics & astronomy.
Emily Messenger, senior in applied computing, "Automatic Prediction of Cardiovascular Pathologies," mentored by Suzanne Shontz, electrical engineering & computer science.
Shayaan Mohammed, senior in computer science, mathematics and interdisciplinary computing (economics); "Computational Simulation of Herding-Driven Market Volatility: An Agent-Based Modeling Approach," mentored by Xuemin Tu, mathematics.
Allison Muzzy, senior in journalism & mass communications and political science; "A Textual Analysis of People's Daily Articles Mentioning International Organizations," mentored by Jack Zhang, political science.
Anna Nguyen, senior in speech-language-hearing sciences; "Understanding Shared and Unshared Speech Sounds with Bilingual English-Vietnamese Children," mentored by Margarethe McDonald, speech-language-hearing.
Levi O'Connor, junior in psychology; "The Identity-relevant Intersection of Racism and Patriarchy," mentored by Glenn Adams, psychology.
Rigel Parker, senior in microbiology; "Impacts of the Presence of Glomeromycete Spores on Germinating Seeds in Soil," mentored by Benjamin Sikes, ecology & evolutionary biology.
Chloe Peacock, senior in sociology and psychology; "Navigating Misinformation in the Age of AI: How College Students' News Sources Shape Political Trust and Voting Intentions," mentored by Tracey LaPierre, sociology.
Madalenna Pieropan, senior in American studies, minor in film & media studies; "Surviving Culture," mentored by Jonathan Hagel, history.
Anastasia Place, senior in elementary education-unified; "Data Mountain BASE: Building Analytic Skills for Education," mentored by Lisa Didion, special education.
Elliot Rausch, senior in political science, global & international studies, East Asian languages & cultures; "Strait Talk: Media Biases in Taiwan," mentored by Brian Lagotte, global & international studies.
Mira Rausch, senior in molecular, cellular & developmental biology and ecology, evolution & organismal biology; "Detecting Hantavirus on KU Field Station Property in Rodents," mentored by Jocelyn Colella, ecology, evolution & organismal biology, KU Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum.
Grace Reeder, senior in elementary education-unified; "Data Mountain," mentored by Lisa Didion, special education.
Selena Reno, senior in psychology and social welfare; "The Mediating Effect of Psychological Control in the Relationship Between Parent-Experienced Childhood Emotional Abuse/Neglect and Adolescent Offspring Anxiety," mentored by Kristy Allen, clinical child psychology.
Baruch Samuel, senior in mechanical engineering; "Level 2 Rocket - Dimpled vs. Smooth Nosecone Study," mentored by Christopher Depcik, mechanical engineering.
Udita Shah, senior in molecular, cellular & developmental biology; "Characterizing the Translation Accessory Factor EF-G1B in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biological Function and Role in Antibiotic Resistance," mentored by Josie Chandler, molecular biosciences.
Ariana Siddique, senior in molecular, cellular & developmental biology; "Leveraging Digital Tools to Strengthen Near-Peer Mentoring and Executive Function Development," mentored by Valerie Thompson, Bureau of Child Research.
Laia Terencia Hernandez, senior in biochemistry; "The Role of Adenomatous Polyposis Coli in Reactive Oxygen Species-induced DNA Damage Response," mentored by Kristi Neufeld, molecular biosciences.
Lauren Thompson, senior in ecology, evolution & organismal biology; "Description of a Significant Cretaceous Shark Fossil," mentored by Christopher Beard, ecology, evolution & organismal biology.
Noah Tucker, senior in chemistry; "Characterization of a Novel Uranyl Crown Ether Complex," mentored by James Blakemore, chemistry.
Macyn Ward, senior in behavioral neuroscience; "Reconsidering the Role of Subjective Binge Episodes in Bulimia Nervosa: A Comparison of DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 Diagnostic Criteria," mentored by Kelsie Forbush, clinical child psychology.
Timothy Webb, junior in computer engineering; "Designing a Safe and Functional Human-Robot 'Hand Over' Task Using Open-Source Robotics," mentored by Arvin Agah, electrical engineering & computer science.
Clare Wincentsen, junior in interior architecture; "Investigating Anti-ligature Furniture in Healthcare Environments," mentored by Herminia Machry, architecture.
***
Original text here: https://news.ku.edu/news/article/57-ku-students-receive-undergraduate-research-awards-for-spring-2026
3D Printing Could Change How Cancer Drugs Reach Tumors
OXFORD, Mississippi, April 6 (TNSjou) -- The University of Mississippi issued the following news:* * *
3D Printing Could Change How Cancer Drugs Reach Tumors
University of Mississippi research offers hope that cancer drug therapies packaged in 3D-printed carriers could deliver medication directly to tumors while reducing many of the side effects that cancer patients endure.
In a study published in Pharmaceutical Research (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11095-026-04068-6), the Ole Miss team demonstrated that 3D-printed spanlastics - a tiny carrier filled with cancer-fighting drugs ... Show Full Article OXFORD, Mississippi, April 6 (TNSjou) -- The University of Mississippi issued the following news: * * * 3D Printing Could Change How Cancer Drugs Reach Tumors University of Mississippi research offers hope that cancer drug therapies packaged in 3D-printed carriers could deliver medication directly to tumors while reducing many of the side effects that cancer patients endure. In a study published in Pharmaceutical Research (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11095-026-04068-6), the Ole Miss team demonstrated that 3D-printed spanlastics - a tiny carrier filled with cancer-fighting drugs- could be implanted directly at the site of a tumor and kill those cells.
"This paper introduced a new 3D printing concept called FRESH 3D printing," said Mo Maniruzzaman, chair and professor of pharmaceutics and drug delivery. "It uses spanlastics as a new nano-drug delivery vehicle for anticancer drug delivery.
"We actually applied this on breast cancer cells and we got some really, really promising data."
Traditional chemotherapy is often given orally or injected into the bloodstream, where the circulatory system disperses cancer-fighting therapy throughout the body.
Anticancer therapies target cells that reproduce quickly - such as cancer - but also affect other quick-spreading cells like hair, intestinal linings and skin. This is one of the reasons that chemotherapy has so many side effects, such as hair loss, nausea, vomiting and anemia.
"Delivering chemotherapeutics is always a nasty business because of the severe side effects that the patients experience," said Jaidev Chakka, principal scientist in the School of Pharmacy. "The goal of this publication is: 'How we can minimize those side effects?'"
Delivering the drug directly to the cancer cell could reduce those side effects, said Chakka and Elom Doe, a third-year doctoral student in pharmaceutical sciences.
"Having the drug in an implant, or in our case, a 3D-printed construct, and placing that construct at the tumor sites means we can concentrate the delivery to the tumor area, instead of throughout the whole body," Doe said.
Each of the microscopic capsules was 200 to 300 nanometers in length. In comparison, a human hair is approximately 100,000 nanometers wide. Because of their tiny size, the drug nanocarriers can pass through cell membranes, delivering a high dosage of cancer-fighting medication directly to affected cells.
"Every drug for cancer has to act inside the cell, either on RNA or on DNA or inhibiting a cell pathway," Chakka said. "If the drug is not able to penetrate the cell membrane or be taken up by the cell, the effect of the drug is none.
"But when we put that drug in a nanoparticle, we are also protecting the drug from degradation, so we are actually pushing a good amount of drug molecules into the cell in one go."
Because this method focuses on a single area, it would be especially beneficial in early cancer diagnoses, before the disease has a chance to spread, or metastasize, the researchers said.
While these findings are promising, this lab-based study is only the first step in using spanlastics in cancer treatment, they caution.
"What we did is test how the drug acts in vitro or outside the body," Doe said. "We would have to test it in in-vivo models before we can think of delivering it to patients, and that's not a job you can do in a day."
At the end of those studies, however, the result could be a faster way to fight early cancer diagnoses, Chakka said.
"With this study, we did two things: One is using 3D printing as a fabricating method for a hydrogel-based drug delivery system," he said. "The second one is we demonstrated these drug delivery systems can be effective in killing cancer cells in vitro, but there is still a long way to go."
***
Original text here: https://olemiss.edu/news/2026/04/3d-printing-could-change-how-cancer-drugs-reach-tumors/index.html
2026 CCTS Spring Conference Draws 1,300 Participants
LEXINGTON, Kentucky, April 6 -- The University of Kentucky issued the following news:* * *
2026 CCTS Spring Conference Draws 1,300 Participants
*
The University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science hosted its 21st annual Spring Conference on March 31. Nearly 1,300 researchers, clinicians, students and community members gathered to share findings and catalyze collaborations, making it the nation's largest translational science conference hosted by a single institution.
The conference is a keystone of the CCTS's mission to transform research into reality by accelerating ... Show Full Article LEXINGTON, Kentucky, April 6 -- The University of Kentucky issued the following news: * * * 2026 CCTS Spring Conference Draws 1,300 Participants * The University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science hosted its 21st annual Spring Conference on March 31. Nearly 1,300 researchers, clinicians, students and community members gathered to share findings and catalyze collaborations, making it the nation's largest translational science conference hosted by a single institution. The conference is a keystone of the CCTS's mission to transform research into reality by acceleratingdiscoveries, fostering multidisciplinary team science, and training upcoming generations of researchers. While the 2026 conference theme was "Artificial Intelligence: Bridging Clinical Care, Research, Innovation and Technology," the agenda also offered sessions and presentations across the spectrum of clinical and translational science, including research days for the Colleges of Dentistry, Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, and Education; the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Internal Medicine; and the Institute for Biomedical Informatics.
In total, the program featured multiple keynote speakers, 70 podium presentations, and more than 400 poster presentations (including 20 by students from Lexington's Frederick Douglass High School Biomedical Pathways Program), and several award presentations.
Speaking at the conference were two nationally recognized experts: Kevin W. Sexton, MD, professor of surgery and biomedical informatics at Vanderbilt University, who delivered the morning keynote on leveraging "The Experimenter's Mindset" to integrate AI into research and clinical care; and Jesus Caban, PhD, chief data and analytics officer for the Defense Health Agency, who presented the afternoon keynote on real-world lessons regarding why most healthcare AI initiatives fail.
Serving as chairs for the 2026 conference were V.K. Cody Bumgardner, PhD, and Romil Chadha, MD. Bumgardner is the assistant dean for artificial intelligence and data science in the UK College of Medicine, division chief of pathology informatics, director of the Center for Applied AI, and associate director of the CCTS. Chadha is the Chief Medical Information Officer at UK Healthcare and a professor in UK College of Medicine.
"AI only delivers real value when research rigor is tightly coupled with care delivery, turning algorithms into trusted, real-world improvements rather than lab artifacts," Chadha said. "UK HealthCare sits at that intersection-with CATS AI structure, Microsoft partnership, UKHC Epic adoption scale, Cosmos-enabled multi-site data, a modern analytics stack, and strong clinical-informatics governance-allowing rapid, safe translation of AI from research to bedside at scale."
Katherine Hartmann, MD, PhD, director of the CCTS, says the breadth and depth of the annual conference reflects the unique capacities of a research center housed on a single campus comprising 16 colleges and a hospital system with statewide reach.
"The complex health challenges of our state and nation require interdisciplinary teams supported by robust infrastructure. The CCTS is focused on building a creative research community that produces new evidence and research methods that spur action to measurably improve health. Our conference brings together researchers and trainees from across the UK campus and health care system as a source of connection, synergy, and innovation to drive new approaches and accelerate breakthroughs," Hartmann said.
Mentor Recognition and Special Awards
An important aspect of the annual conference is the presentation of Mentor Recognition Awards. Mentorship can be a defining factor for up-and-coming researchers, but it's a skill and effort that often goes unrecognized. The CCTS Mentor Recognition Awards are presented annually to faculty members who are nominated by the mentees whose careers they've impacted.
The 2026 recipients are:
* Luciana M. Shaddox, DDS, MS, PhD
Professor and Associate Dean for Research
UK College of Medicine
* Kirby P. Mayer, DPT, PhD, FCCM
Associate Professor
UK College of Health Sciences
* Shyanika W. Rose, PhD, MA
Associate Professor, UK College of Medicine
Acting Director, UK Center for Health, Engagement, and Transformation
* Scott Berry, PhD
Associate Professor
UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
The Gerald Supinski Award for Excellence in Mentoring was presented to Sharon Walsh, PhD, professor in the UK College of Medicine and director of the UK Center for Drug and Alcohol Research.
Special Recognition Awards were presented to Thomas H. Kelly, PhD, and Philip A. Kern, MD, both of whom were instrumental in building the CCTS and have transformed the practice of, infrastructure for, and education and training in translational science at UK.
Kelly is the Robert Straus Professor and chair of the department of behavioral science in the College of Medicine; a professor of Psychiatry, psychology and nursing; and a faculty affiliate of the Center for Drug Abuse Research. He also serves as associate dean for research in the College of Nursing and director of research education, training and career development for the Center for Clinical and Translational Science.
Kern is currently the co-director of the CCTS. He served as the center's director from 2009 to 2023, leading the CCTS in earning its first Clinical and Translational Science Award in 2011, the largest grant ever awarded to the University at the time. He subsequently led successful efforts to obtain competitive renewals of the CTSA grant in 2016 and 2021. Kern is also a professor in the division of endocrinology in the UK College of Medicine and previously served as Associate Provost for Clinical and Translational Science and Associate Vice President for Research, Clinical and Translational research.
One-Minute Poster Pitch Competition
An exciting hallmark of each CCTS conference is the annual Poster Pitch Competition. This 60-second format highlights the core potential of each project, allowing researchers to make a compelling case for commercialization of their research by demonstrating the practical relevance of their solutions.
Participants receive coaching on their pitch and how to develop their work. After the live, in-person pitches, four competitors receive cash prizes.
The 2026 winners and their research projects are:
* First Place: Jennifer Xu, PhD, ATC, CSCS
"Qualitative Experiences of Adults with Plantar Fasciopathy Who Undergo a Rehabilitation Program"
* Second Place: Jamal Thruston, MS, CSCS, TSAC-F
"Validity and Reliability of a Modified Plyometric Pushup"
* Third Place: Salma Habib
"Occlusal Changes with Mandibular Advancement Devices: Longitudinal Clinical, Patient-Reported, and Intervention Outcomes"
Research Presentations from Frederick Douglass High School Students
Another annual highlight of the CCTS conference is the participation of students from Lexington's Frederick Douglass High School Biomedical Pathways Program. Students in the program work in small groups to conduct research on cancer in Kentucky, then develop and present academic research posters on their work. This creates a unique opportunity for high school students to experience presenting at a major conference and receiving feedback from experienced researchers. More than 60 FDHS students presented 20 original research posters this year.
About the CCTS
The UK CCTS is an essential engine for transforming research into reality. We bridge the gap between discovery and delivery, providing evidence to advance care for all, to enhance screening and prevention initiatives, and to support communities addressing pressing health concerns.
Supported by a Clinical and Translational Science Award from the National Institutes of Health, the UK CCTS fosters translational science approaches that transform the way research is done making it more responsive, rigorous, efficient, and faster to achieve tangible improvements in health for all.
***
Original text here: https://research.uky.edu/news/2026-ccts-spring-conference-draws-1300-participants
'Building a better future': UCLA receives $33 million to address LA's youth mental health crisis
LOS ANGELES, California, April 6 -- The University of California posted the following news release:* * *
'Building a better future': UCLA receives $33 million to address LA's youth mental health crisis
*
More young Californians than ever are reporting mental health issues, with wide disparities in access to support, particularly in low-income, underserved "behavioral health care deserts." At the same time, a critical workforce shortage persists -both in the number of available professionals and in the level of training needed to effectively serve these diverse Los Angeles communities -limiting ... Show Full Article LOS ANGELES, California, April 6 -- The University of California posted the following news release: * * * 'Building a better future': UCLA receives $33 million to address LA's youth mental health crisis * More young Californians than ever are reporting mental health issues, with wide disparities in access to support, particularly in low-income, underserved "behavioral health care deserts." At the same time, a critical workforce shortage persists -both in the number of available professionals and in the level of training needed to effectively serve these diverse Los Angeles communities -limitingaccess to care that can be lifesaving.
Thanks to a $33 million award from the philanthropic organization Ballmer Group, UCLA will address this issue by broadening its efforts to improve youth mental health across Los Angeles. Beginning this fall, the university intends to launch or expand three coordinated initiatives across campus. These initiatives -designed to leverage UCLA's robust population of undergraduate, graduate, medical and postdoctoral trainees eager to be part of the solution -will increase access to training, academic resources and early-career opportunities, ultimately strengthening and enlarging the pipeline of current and future professionals who are able to prevent and respond to youth mental health issues.
Funding will be distributed across three distinguished programs: the department of psychology in the UCLA College, the department of social welfare at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and the department of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Additionally, the investment will build on UCLA's longstanding Public Partnership for Wellbeing training and professional development programs with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, administered by the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA.
"UCLA is not just a university in Los Angeles, it is a university of Los Angeles -so it is critical for us to address the growing youth mental health crisis in our community," said UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk. "The generosity of Ballmer Group will enable UCLA to equip more professionals with the skills and deep knowledge needed to care for young people and their families."
This grant is part of an overall $110 million investment that Ballmer Group simultaneously made to Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State Dominguez Hills. Addressing a significant portion of Los Angeles County's projected workforce need, the three universities will support almost 2,600 new behavioral health graduates by 2031, with exponentially more on the horizon.
A campuswide push to expand compassionate, informed care
The three selected Bruin programs are ideally positioned across UCLA and throughout LA communities to make the most of this investment, which dovetails with the spirit of UCLA's Hope Connects Us student mental health campaign as well as recent gifts to UCLA from Stewart and Lynda Resnick and Rose and Allen Nelson to advance mental health care and research.
The department of psychology -UCLA's largest undergraduate program -intends to use its portion of the funding to support and expand a new minor in youth behavioral health, led by Bruce Chorpita, a professor of psychology and of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences.
Through its highly innovative curriculum and internships in community settings, the minor will prepare students for careers in behavioral health at an even greater scale. Students who complete the minor will have met all the requirements for the California Wellness Coach credential, as well as the majority of hours required for the Managing and Adapting Practice therapist credential -currently the most in-demand youth public behavioral health credential in LA County.
"We are grateful for and energized by this exciting chapter for our psychology department," said Tracy Johnson, dean of the life sciences division in the UCLA College. "Every student UCLA empowers with the knowledge, empathy and skills they need to create meaningful change in the lives of individuals and communities benefits us all. Together, we're building a better future of expanded access to compassionate, informed care."
UCLA Luskin's social welfare department will increase the pipeline of licensed clinical professionals providing youth with behavioral health and well-being services. This effort, guided by Poco Kernsmith, professor and chair of the department, will involve simultaneously developing fellowships, more hands-on training opportunities and expanded partnerships with community nonprofits to support innovative prevention and intervention programs.
"We are absolutely delighted and grateful to Ballmer Group for making this transformational investment in UCLA Luskin, where our department of social welfare is dedicated to tackling a worsening youth mental health crisis in our country," said Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, the school's interim dean. "The fellowships from the grant will train the best and brightest social workers, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to improve community mental health in our city and beyond."
The David Geffen School of Medicine will use its portion of the grant to further prepare and empower postdoctoral trainees to help shape the mental health treatment landscape of Southern California.
Under the leadership of Dr. Helena Hansen, interim chair of the medical school's department of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences, the invesment will enhance three fellowships currently run by the department: the child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship, the child-focused public psychiatry fellowship and the recently launched child psychology postdoctoral community-focused fellowship.
"We are deeply grateful for Ballmer Group's generous investment, which expands our ability to recruit and train exceptional postdoctoral fellows," said Dr. Steven Dubinett, dean of the Geffen School of Medicine. "This grant will strengthen our partnership with the LA County Department of Mental Health and build a robust pipeline of future leaders skilled in policy advocacy and prepared to serve underresourced communities. It will have a lasting impact on the accessibility and quality of mental health care across our region."
Looking forward
UCLA's new collaboration with Ballmer Group -which acknowledges and builds on the university's deep ties across Southern California and its active engagement with the region's diverse communities -will help magnify the critical impact of the departments of psychology, social welfare, and psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences, along with the Semel Institute, in educating future practitioners and addressing regional mental health challenges.
"Los Angeles County's youth mental health crisis demands a stronger pipeline of clinicians and community-based providers -and that starts with training, early-career opportunities and partnerships that meet young people where they are," said Kim Pattillo Brownson, director of strategy, policy and partnerships for Ballmer Group Los Angeles. "UCLA's ability to bring together world-class research, workforce development and deep community collaboration makes it a powerful partner in expanding access to care for families and communities across Los Angeles County."
With hundreds of UCLA students at every level projected to take part in the new and enhanced programs beginning this fall -from undergraduate education and graduate student training to advanced clinical preparation -the impact will be felt immediately, UCLA officials said. And the new investment is expected to spark even farther-reaching collaborations, signaling an important step toward realizing a more holistic and impactful approach that elevates all aspects of mental health care for young people across the region.
***
Original text here: https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-receives-33-million-to-address-youth-mental-health-crisis
$3M philanthropic commitment to advance pediatric cancer research
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania, April 6 -- Pennsylvania State University posted the following news:* * *
$3M philanthropic commitment to advance pediatric cancer research
*
HERSHEY, Pa. -The Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium, an international network of centers conducting pediatric oncology clinical trials, headquartered at Penn State College of Medicine, received a new $3 million philanthropic commitment from the Beat Childhood Cancer Foundation. The funding will help advance new and ongoing clinical trials and safer, more effective and more personalized treatments for children diagnosed ... Show Full Article UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania, April 6 -- Pennsylvania State University posted the following news: * * * $3M philanthropic commitment to advance pediatric cancer research * HERSHEY, Pa. -The Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium, an international network of centers conducting pediatric oncology clinical trials, headquartered at Penn State College of Medicine, received a new $3 million philanthropic commitment from the Beat Childhood Cancer Foundation. The funding will help advance new and ongoing clinical trials and safer, more effective and more personalized treatments for children diagnosedwith cancer.
"Investing in pediatric oncology requires real courage," said Giselle Saulnier Sholler, chair and founder of the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium and director of pediatric oncology research at Penn State College of Medicine. "Pediatric populations are small and regulatory pathways are complex. We are deeply grateful for partners like the Beat Childhood Cancer Foundation who choose to stand with children and families and champion the therapies these patients urgently need."
While separate organizations, the Beat Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium share a common commitment: improving outcomes and quality of life for children with cancer through innovative research and child-informed treatment strategies.
The Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded and led by parents seeking better options for children facing cancer. It partners with foundations nationwide to guide investments in precision medicine and research approaches that reflect the real-world needs of children and survivors.
The Research Consortium includes more than 55 children's hospitals and research institutions in North America, Europe and South America. It manages multi-site pediatric cancer clinical trials from concept through completion, providing children with access to novel therapies not otherwise available. For example, the Research Consortium advanced preclinical research to clinical trials that ultimately led to IWILFIN (DFMO), a therapy approved by the Food and Drug Administration to reduce the risk of relapse for pediatric high-risk neuroblastoma patients.
The Research Consortium's model, which unites researchers, industry partners and clinicians, allows children to access promising therapies closer to home, reducing barriers for families while accelerating the pace of research. The Research Consortium will apply this same model to pediatric brain tumors, sarcomas, and other rare childhood cancers that currently have few treatment options.
"This commitment reflects the voices of parents and advocates who know firsthand how urgently children need better options," said Sarah Bartosz, executive director of the Beat Childhood Cancer Foundation. "By supporting the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium, we are helping ensure innovative clinical trials reach every child, everywhere. For us, hope is not just a word, it is an action."
To date, the Research Consortium has opened more than 28 clinical trials, including new cutting-edge and molecular-guided therapies for children with high-risk, relapsed or refractory solid tumors.
"This commitment underscores the power of strategic partnership in advancing pediatric cancer research," said Karen Kim, dean of Penn State College of Medicine. "At the College of Medicine, we are committed to translating scientific discovery into clinical impact; by aligning philanthropic leadership with a proven clinical trials infrastructure, we are accelerating discoveries that can change the standard of care for children worldwide."
***
Original text here: https://www.psu.edu/news/hershey/story/3m-philanthropic-commitment-advance-pediatric-cancer-research
University of Cincinnati: Scientists Discover How Snakes Stand Upright Without Limbs
CINCINNATI, Ohio, April 4 (TNSjou) -- The University of Cincinnati posted the following news:* * *
Scientists discover how snakes stand upright without limbs
Science outlets highlight research by UC expert on snake locomotion
By Michael Miller, 513/556-6757, michael.miller3@uc.edu
Science outlets including Smithsonian magazine, Earth.com and Discover magazine highlighted a study co-authored by University of Cincinnati Professor Bruce Jayne, an expert in snake locomotion, examining how snakes can stand upright without arms or legs.
Jayne, a biologist in UC's College of Arts and Sciences, ... Show Full Article CINCINNATI, Ohio, April 4 (TNSjou) -- The University of Cincinnati posted the following news: * * * Scientists discover how snakes stand upright without limbs Science outlets highlight research by UC expert on snake locomotion By Michael Miller, 513/556-6757, michael.miller3@uc.edu Science outlets including Smithsonian magazine, Earth.com and Discover magazine highlighted a study co-authored by University of Cincinnati Professor Bruce Jayne, an expert in snake locomotion, examining how snakes can stand upright without arms or legs. Jayne, a biologist in UC's College of Arts and Sciences,worked with physicists, mathematicians and other researchers at Harvard University on a study looking at the physics behind this remarkable ability. The research combines biology, mathematics and mechanical modeling to explain how snakes manage such a delicate balancing act.
Researchers discovered that snakes don't have to stiffen the entire length of their bodies to span a gap in a forest or reach up to a branch or ledge. Instead, the muscles become rigid near the base where the animal's weight is supported.
The key is the animal's strength in maintaining balance as it stretches up or outward, they found.
The study was published in the Journal of The Royal Society Interface.
Previously, Jayne has studied the many ways snakes navigate obstacles such as tunnels, sand dunes and branches. And in 2021 he discovered a unique way climbing snakes such as brown tree snakes scale wide-barreled objects like tree trunks or light poles that he calls lasso locomotion.
Read the Smithsonian magazine story (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-do-snakes-stand-upright-nearly-stick-straight-new-research-points-to-how-they-pull-off-the-gravity-defying-feat-180988470/?itm_source=parsely-api?itm_source=most-popular&itm_medium=parsely-api).
* * *
Original text here: https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2026/03/scientists-discover-how-snakes-stand-upright-without-limbs.html
Texas A&M Engineering: Donors Support Aggie Engineers in Labs and Lecture Halls
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, April 4 -- The Texas A&M University College of Engineering issued the following news:* * *
Donors support Aggie engineers in labs and lecture halls
Former students Donnice and Doug White '78 give back to the College of Engineering by supporting students through scholarship and necessary lab equipment.
By David Holt, Texas A&M Engineering
From a dryland wheat farm in West Texas to the classrooms at Texas A&M University, Doug White '78 has built a remarkable career in chemical engineering. Now he and his wife Donnice are giving back to ensure future Aggies have the ... Show Full Article COLLEGE STATION, Texas, April 4 -- The Texas A&M University College of Engineering issued the following news: * * * Donors support Aggie engineers in labs and lecture halls Former students Donnice and Doug White '78 give back to the College of Engineering by supporting students through scholarship and necessary lab equipment. By David Holt, Texas A&M Engineering From a dryland wheat farm in West Texas to the classrooms at Texas A&M University, Doug White '78 has built a remarkable career in chemical engineering. Now he and his wife Donnice are giving back to ensure future Aggies have thesame opportunities.
White first discovered his passion for engineering thanks to a high school mentor.
"A science teacher at Canyon High School noticed my aptitude for math and science and encouraged me to attend an engineering conference at Texas A&M during my junior year. That trip lit the spark," he said. "From that point on, my goal was clear: go to college and become a chemical engineer. Through a combination of good fortune and a successful wheat crop, I was able to attend as a first-generation college student."
While at Texas A&M, White joined the Aggie Band and maintained his focus on his studies -- forging lasting relationships and meeting Donnice, who would later become his wife. Both pursued their chemical engineering degrees and launched rewarding careers in the industry before starting their family.
After a 34-year stint in the chemical industry, primarily with DuPont, White returned to Texas A&M as a senior lecturer in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering.
"I enjoyed helping students and young engineers connect theory to real-world processes," he said. "Teaching in the Unit Operations Lab was a natural fit -- it allowed me to focus on applied learning and help students develop the skills they would need in industry."
During his decade as an instructor, White taught more than 1,600 students and says it remains one of the most rewarding chapters of his career.
As committed Aggies, the Whites decided to support the department further through funding for upgraded lab equipment and by establishing a scholarship.
"Heat transfer is a fundamental unit operation in nearly every chemical engineering role, and the Unit Operations Lab needed improved equipment to better teach those concepts," he said. "When the department began fundraising for a new apparatus, Donnice and I felt it was important to participate."
The scholarship, targeting first-generation students, holds special meaning for the Whites.
"We chose to support first-generation chemical engineering students because we understand how unfamiliar and intimidating that path can be," he said. "We've been fortunate in our opportunities, and this felt like a meaningful way to help students with similar backgrounds reach their goals."
Thanks to the generosity of Doug and Donnice White, Texas A&M's College of Engineering continues to thrive, empowering new generations of Aggies both in the classroom and beyond.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.engineering.tamu.edu/news/2026/04/03/donors-support-aggie-engineers-in-labs-and-lecture-halls/
Hofstra Honors College Presents New Seminar: 'Public Relations History'
HEMPSTEAD, New York, April 4 -- Hofstra University issued the following news:* * *
Hofstra Honors College Presents a New Seminar: "Public Relations History"
Rabinowitz Honors College is offering a new seminar this semester, "Public Relations History: The Good and the Bad," taught by Associate Professor of Journalism, Media Studies, and Public Relations Jeffrey Morosoff. The course covers public relations techniques dating all the way back to the prerevolutionary war in America.
Morosoff believes the class is the first of its kind to look at how public relations has been employed to influence ... Show Full Article HEMPSTEAD, New York, April 4 -- Hofstra University issued the following news: * * * Hofstra Honors College Presents a New Seminar: "Public Relations History" Rabinowitz Honors College is offering a new seminar this semester, "Public Relations History: The Good and the Bad," taught by Associate Professor of Journalism, Media Studies, and Public Relations Jeffrey Morosoff. The course covers public relations techniques dating all the way back to the prerevolutionary war in America. Morosoff believes the class is the first of its kind to look at how public relations has been employed to influencepeople's political, social, and cultural attitudes.
"History repeats itself. We need to be aware of the dangers of the misuse of propaganda and public relations techniques in the name of nation building, public safety, and security," he said. "We don't want to lose the democratic media we have in this country. We have to understand how words and images can be used for good, how they can be used for evil, and understand the difference."
The 21 students in the course come from an array of academic disciplines.
Caroline Coyne '26, an English major, is taking her first course in public relations. "I find it fascinating how psychology connects to conversations about media and propaganda," she shared. "It's important to understand how messaging can influence the public on a subconscious level."
Emma Manfredi '26, a psychology major, said the course has challenged her assumptions about the field. "I used to think public relations was a modern concept, but it's interesting to see how it has been used throughout history and across the world," she added. "There seems to be a universal pattern in how people respond to certain PR techniques - even when they didn't recognize it as PR at the time. It really shows which strategies are effective and which aren't."
Highlights of the course have included a field trip to the Public Relations Museum in New York City last month, which is home to the world's largest collection of books, manuals, journals, and essays written about the PR field. Works by public relations pioneers Edward Bernays, Ed Block, Harold Burson, Gustave Le Bon, Ofield Dukes, Doris Fleischman, Muriel Fox, John Hill, Inez Kaiser, Ivy Lee, Walter Lippmann, Arthur Page, and Alfred Trotter are among its holdings.
"When Professor Morosoff came to us with this idea we knew it would be popular with the students, but also an important addition to the Hofstra curriculum," said Rabinowitz Honors College Dean Warren Frisina. "Our seminars are also 'incubators' for ideas faculty have, which they test with us and then take back to their departments. This is a perfect example of curricular innovation at its best."
Professor Morosoff is hoping to turn Public Relations History into a regularly offered elective course.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.hofstra.edu/2026/04/03/hofstra-honors-college-presents-a-new-seminar-public-relations-history/
Harvard Receives First LBC Core Certifications for 3 Major Sustainable Renovations
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, April 4 -- Harvard University issued the following news:* * *
Harvard receives first LBC Core certifications for 3 major sustainable renovations
There are more than 380 buildings on Harvard's Cambridge campus, many over 100 years old. Ensuring these historic buildings preserve their architectural character, while meeting the ever-changing needs of the campus, and the University's aggressive sustainability goals has long been a challenge. With the recent approval of its first three projects under Living Future's rigorous Living Building Challenge Core Green Building ... Show Full Article CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, April 4 -- Harvard University issued the following news: * * * Harvard receives first LBC Core certifications for 3 major sustainable renovations There are more than 380 buildings on Harvard's Cambridge campus, many over 100 years old. Ensuring these historic buildings preserve their architectural character, while meeting the ever-changing needs of the campus, and the University's aggressive sustainability goals has long been a challenge. With the recent approval of its first three projects under Living Future's rigorous Living Building Challenge Core Green BuildingCertification, Harvard not only received recognition for its restoration efforts, but marked the success of three pilot renovations that emphasized holistic sustainability -- paving the way to scale this work to future campus renovations.
Harvard received LBC Core certifications for two historic gut renovations of Harvard University Housing & Real Estate residential buildings at 13 Kirkland Street and 5 Sacramento Street, and an interior renovation that transformed the second floor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education's Gutman Library.
The renovations piloted Harvard's 2024 Sustainable Building Standards, which target LBC Core and healthier buildings including a healthier supply chain per the Harvard Healthier Building Academy, which avoids toxic chemical classes, like forever chemicals, in products. LBC Core differs from other certifications because it not only requires review of design and construction documentation, but a performance period that proves operational data on energy, water, and landscape.
"Harvard is pursuing LBC Core because faculty and staff advisers agreed it's holistic, demonstrating that leadership on climate, health and resiliency can be achieved together," said Heather Henriksen, Harvard's chief sustainability officer. "Paired with HHBA's removal of toxic chemical classes from everyday products, it ensures spaces aren't just efficient, but genuinely healthier for everyone, as healthier supply chains benefit all."
With the goal of creating more housing for Harvard affiliates on campus, the gut renovations of 13 Kirkland Place and 5 Sacramento Street, built in 1856 and 1881, paired energy and health improvements with careful historic preservation. Beyond LBC Core certifications, the two properties are the first multi-family projects globally to achieve Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) Core Revive 2021 certification. Project teams preserved historic exteriors and reused materials to reduce embodied carbon, earning 2025 Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation and Sustainable Living from Cambridge's Historical Commission.
"We're committed to meeting the highest available third-party standards and creating holistically sustainable spaces whenever possible, given competing priorities," said Justin Stratman, HUHRE managing director. "These projects show we can respect Harvard's historic fabric while creating homes that are healthier, far more efficient, and ready for a fossil fuel-free future."
Both residential buildings reduced energy use well beyond LBC Core's requirement of 50 through high-efficiency energy recovery and heat pumps for heating, cooling and hot water. Low-flow fixtures, water-efficient appliances, and irrigation-free landscape reduced potable water use more than 50 percent. The projects met HHBA standards for all interior product categories and enhanced indoor air quality.
The outdoor landscape design is climate-resilient and ecologically rich while encouraging walking, cycling, and connections to nature, art, and community. Soil amendments, on-site rainwater infiltration, and stormwater management work alongside tree preservation, pollinator gardens, and biodiverse, drought-tolerant plantings, supporting resilience and habitat.
While newer than the Victorian-era buildings at Kirkland and Sacramento streets, the architecturally significant Gutman Library needed to transform the 19,000-square-foot second floor to integrate health, sustainability, and community. The renovated space unites student services, library functions, and collaborative workspaces, and marks the first-ever higher education project to achieve LBC Core for an interior renovation. Biophilic design strategies include a plant wall, daylight access, natural wood finishes, plus improved wayfinding and accessibility.
"The renovation is a terrific moment in overall campus development and another major step in transforming Gutman to better meet our community's evolving needs," said Jason Carlson, HGSE Chief of Operations. "We're excited that we successfully created a student-centric hub that enhances the student experience, promotes community connections, and reflects our health and sustainability commitments."
The Gutman project operates with low temperature hot water and significant operational and embodied carbon reductions. Advanced controls, demand control ventilation, and sensored LED lighting all lower energy use. Mechanical upgrades increase fresh air and filtration for better indoor air quality, while efficient, low-flow fixtures cut water use significantly.
Gutman achieved HHBA standards for all categories. Reusing ceilings, floors, furniture, and partitions -- and careful selection of low-carbon ceilings, carpets, and gypsum products -- reduced embodied carbon 56 percent compared to a conventional project.
The three LBC Core certifications symbolize Harvard's commitment to its holistic Sustainable Building Standards, and lessons from these pilots are informing seven additional projects targeting LBC Core. Together, these certifications mark a significant step forward in Harvard's decarbonization and health efforts.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/newsplus/harvard-receives-first-lbc-core-certifications-for-3-major-sustainable-renovations/
Binghamton University to Honor Award-winning Author and Journalist With The Nadia Rubaii Memorial Award
BINGHAMTON, New York, April 4 -- Binghamton University issued the following news:* * *
Binghamton University to honor award-winning author and journalist with The Nadia Rubaii Memorial Award
Journalist M. Gessen to receive Nadia Rubaii Memorial Award and speak at Binghamton University.
By Emily Ciarlo '26
Binghamton University's Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (I-GMAP) will award the Nadia Rubaii Memorial Prize at 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 10, in the First Floor Atrium at the University Downtown Center (UDC) at this year's Frontiers of Prevention Conference. The event is ... Show Full Article BINGHAMTON, New York, April 4 -- Binghamton University issued the following news: * * * Binghamton University to honor award-winning author and journalist with The Nadia Rubaii Memorial Award Journalist M. Gessen to receive Nadia Rubaii Memorial Award and speak at Binghamton University. By Emily Ciarlo '26 Binghamton University's Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (I-GMAP) will award the Nadia Rubaii Memorial Prize at 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 10, in the First Floor Atrium at the University Downtown Center (UDC) at this year's Frontiers of Prevention Conference. The event isfree and open to the public.
The Nadia Rubaii Memorial Award is presented on the first day of The Frontiers of Prevention Conference, an annual international forum hosted by I-GMAP since 2017 which brings together academic researchers and prevention practitioners from governments, international organizations and civil society. The two-day event will start on Friday and continue on Saturday, April 11, at UDC.
This year's recipient, M. Gessen, is an opinion columnist for The New York Times and an award-winning author who uses their platform to highlight the risks that people are facing in the United States. Gessen's 2020 book, Surviving Autocracy, expands on their essay, "Autocracy: Rules for Survival," which went viral after President Donald Trump's first election in 2016. The presentation of the award will be followed by a public lecture from Gessen titled "What a Dissident Sees."
The Nadia Rubaii Memorial Award is named in honor of Nadia Rubaii, I-GMAP co-founder, former co-director and professor and practitioner of public administration at Binghamton University. Rubaii dedicated decades of service to helping universities and public service organizations better serve diverse publics, be interculturally effective and promote social equity.
The Nadia Rubaii Memorial Award is presented annually to an individual or organization who best represents Rubaii's commitment to the promotion of human rights and the prevention of genocide, mass atrocities and all forms of identity-based violence.
M. Gessen is the author of 11 books, including the National Book Award-winning, The Future is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia and The New York Times best-seller, The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin.
Gessen was born in Moscow, Russia, and immigrated to the United States at 14, but returned 10 years later as a journalist. After being dismissed as editor from a popular science magazine, Gessen founded Russian Independent Media Archive (now Kronika) to digitally preserve independent Russian journalism produced over the last 20 years.
They moved to New York in 2013 after their family was targeted by an anti-LGBTQ campaign, and spent seven years as a staff writer for The New York Times, and has contributed to The New York Review of Books, The Washington Post, Harper's and Vanity Fair. They were recognized with the George Polk Award for opinion writing in 2024. In addition, Gessen is a distinguished professor at Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY and a distinguished visiting writer at Bard College.
Throughout the two-day event, academics, researchers and practitioners will engage in conversations, share notes and experiences and form new professional connections. Frontier of Prevention is a workshop-style conference featuring several extended thematic sessions that allow participants and audience members to explore topics in depth, connect across different thematic panels, pursue collaborations and test new ideas.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.binghamton.edu/news/story/6161/nadia-rubaii-memorial-award
BGSU to Welcome Ohio Governor Mike DeWine as First Sitting Governor to Participate in Annual Leadership Luncheon on April 14
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio, April 4 -- Bowling Green State University issued the following news:* * *
BGSU to welcome Ohio Governor Mike DeWine as first sitting governor to participate in annual leadership luncheon on April 14
Free and open to the public, this year's event features special guest Gov. Mike DeWine
*
Bowling Green State University will welcome Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to campus at 11 a.m. on April 14 to share insight on leadership and democracy as the first sitting governor to participate in the Democracy and Public Policy Network's annual leadership luncheon.
The premier event in ... Show Full Article BOWLING GREEN, Ohio, April 4 -- Bowling Green State University issued the following news: * * * BGSU to welcome Ohio Governor Mike DeWine as first sitting governor to participate in annual leadership luncheon on April 14 Free and open to the public, this year's event features special guest Gov. Mike DeWine * Bowling Green State University will welcome Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to campus at 11 a.m. on April 14 to share insight on leadership and democracy as the first sitting governor to participate in the Democracy and Public Policy Network's annual leadership luncheon. The premier event inthe Lenhart Grand Ballroom at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union will offer the learning and greater community the opportunity to hear directly from Gov. DeWine about leadership, civility and lessons learned as Ohio's 70th governor.
"We are grateful to host this conversation at BGSU," said Robert Alexander, Ph.D., professor of political science and founding director of the Democracy and Public Policy Network. "It is a rare and valuable opportunity for our community to engage with a sitting governor in an environment dedicated to public service and education."
Founded in 2024, the Democracy and Public Policy Network and its annual leadership luncheons bring key political figures to campus to highlight the ways in which bipartisan dialogue can shape leadership and civility.
Last year's event brought together students, faculty, staff and the public to hear from former Ohio Governors Richard Celeste and Bob Taft.
"A public university for the public good is more than just a tagline," Alexander said. "When people have the opportunity to break bread with one another, it is funny how much they can find in common with one another. These small conversations can have big effects - bringing down walls and allowing understanding and insights to emerge."
Space is limited for the free, public event, with registration required. To ensure you don't miss this chance to see Gov. DeWine on campus, register today.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.bgsu.edu/news/2026/04/bgsu-to-welcome-ohio-governor-mike-dewine-as-first-sitting-governor-to-participate-in-annual-leadership-luncheon-on-april-14.html
'Whole Experience Was Just Wonderful': Surgeon Reflects on Support, Confidence He Gained at SC State
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina, April 4 -- South Carolina State University issued the following news:* * *
'Whole experience was just wonderful': Surgeon reflects on support, confidence he gained at SC State
Dr. William Long credits SC State with shaping his career and fueling his commitment to service and expanding opportunities in podiatric medicine.
Author: Dionne Gleaton/Senior Writer
Dr. William Long reflects on his time at South Carolina State University with pride because the longstanding institution instilled in him a faith that he could excel at any level he chose.
The Spartanburg, ... Show Full Article ORANGEBURG, South Carolina, April 4 -- South Carolina State University issued the following news: * * * 'Whole experience was just wonderful': Surgeon reflects on support, confidence he gained at SC State Dr. William Long credits SC State with shaping his career and fueling his commitment to service and expanding opportunities in podiatric medicine. Author: Dionne Gleaton/Senior Writer Dr. William Long reflects on his time at South Carolina State University with pride because the longstanding institution instilled in him a faith that he could excel at any level he chose. The Spartanburg,S.C., native graduated from SC State in 1999 with a biology degree and never forgot the love and encouragement that Dr. Judith Salley, chair of SC State's Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, poured into him and other students.
Confidence, culture and preparation set the foundation
"It was just the confidence coming out of a historically Black college. I was a biology major with Dr. Salley. She always stressed to us that our degrees at SC State are just as good as any other degree. Her putting that confidence in me as I matriculated throughout my career just helped," Long said.
He has maintained a successful career as a podiatric surgeon who is the owner of Upstate Podiatry Group PA, a podiatry clinic specializing in foot and ankle care with eight offices across the Upstate, including Simpsonville, Spartanburg, Greer and Laurens.
Long said landing at SC State provided him with the fertile ground from which to build his skills.
"And just being around positive Black people. That was the main thing. My high school, Spartanburg High School, was probably 70 percent white. So a lot of times in my advanced classes, I'd be one of two or three Black people in the class," he said.
Long said he was no longer considered an "exception to the rule" at SC State, where he felt welcomed and Black excellence surrounded him.
"That was amazing. That really was life transforming. My roommate was my high school valedictorian. I picked up things from him by watching his study habits. My whole experience was just wonderful, it really was," he said.
While at SC State, Long was also the recipient of the U.S. Coast Guard's Minority Officer Recruiting Effort Scholarship.
"That was a full scholarship. Everything was taken care of, and that took a huge stress off my family," he said.
Long received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from SC State before serving eight years of active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard. While stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, Long was selected to supervise the Maritime Homeland Security Office Department in response to the horrific events of 9/11.
He later earned his Master of Arts from The Citadel and his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University. Long completed his four-year foot and ankle residency at the University of Pennsylvania Presbyterian Medical Center before returning to the Upstate.
From student to surgeon: Giving back and leading change
It was a journey that has allowed him to give back to his community -- and alma mater -- in a number of ways.
"We try to donate every year. I truly believe in that. You have to lift as you climb and also remember where you came from. It was South Carolina State that provided the foundation. I always remembered what Dr. Salley said," Long said.
"Once I transitioned into podiatry, I started working to get laws passed," he said, including the passage of legislation that allows podiatric physicians to perform ankle surgery in South Carolina, which had been one of a few remaining states that had not allowed such procedures.
"I became the first podiatrist to do ankle surgery in South Carolina," said Long, who is also on the American Podiatric Medical Association Board of Trustees.
The physician has worked on that national platform to increase student recruitment among historically Black colleges and universities.
Part of that effort helped land him at SC State on March 2 for a Discover Podiatric Medicine seminar, a project that introduced students to the podiatry field through a partnership between SC State and Temple University's School of Podiatric Medicine.
"We have a really big push to recruit now from historically Black colleges. We need to because I promise you that the majority of the Blacks that are in podiatry that are doing great graduated from an HBCU," Long said.
"We've even discussed to the point where we may try to open up the first historically Black podiatric medical school. We may do this at Johnson C. Smith University. Their president, Dr. Valerie Kinloch, is open to it.
"That's why I want to build that strong relationship at South Carolina State because that's my alma mater. If we're going to do a lot of things, we definitely need to pull South Carolina State in this, as well," he said.
Long said being a podiatric surgeon provides an opportunity to make a difference in the communities he serves, particularly among African Americans, who tend to see higher amputation rates.
"I just think it's our obligation as physicians to reach back. I'm not trying to get accolades for it. It's about preventive medicine. I give my patients my personal cell phone. If they're ever admitted to the hospital, or something going on, they can call me," he said, noting that all it takes is one person to make an impact.
Investing in the future of SC State and health care
Long foresees a bright future for SC State.
"South Carolina State's doing a great job right now. I'm loving the fact that I'm getting more mailers and things like that for donations," the surgeon said.
"I love the fact that the campus is growing. That is a real thing. You want to have the facilities for the students, so I love seeing that. I definitely want to see more students going into medicine, specifically in podiatry, but, if not, just in medicine in general," he said.
How will Long help support that?
"I really think that we do better when we are seeing Black physicians as far as growth. Personally, I would love to have something where we can have scholarships for different podiatric medical schools that are specific to South Carolina State. That'll be something that I'll be working on," Long said.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.scsu.edu/news/2026_02_02_dr_william_long_podiatry.php