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Virginia Tech: Research Seeks Better Understanding of Pollen Movement From Ground to Sky
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Aug. 4 (TNSjou) -- Virginia Tech issued the following news:
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Research seeks better understanding of pollen movement from ground to sky
Using ground samplers, drones, and simulations, researchers successfully measured pollen dispersal from a genetically engineered crop and established a modeling methodology for future prediction.
By Felicia Spencer
Plant biologists and engineers have extended their studies to the skies to track airborne pollen once it leaves a crop.
In a new study, published in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, researchers established an
... Show Full Article
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Aug. 4 (TNSjou) -- Virginia Tech issued the following news:
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Research seeks better understanding of pollen movement from ground to sky
Using ground samplers, drones, and simulations, researchers successfully measured pollen dispersal from a genetically engineered crop and established a modeling methodology for future prediction.
By Felicia Spencer
Plant biologists and engineers have extended their studies to the skies to track airborne pollen once it leaves a crop.
In a new study, published in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, researchers established anaccurate methodology for tracking, measuring, and forecasting pollen dispersal of genetically engineered switchgrass at both the ground and atmospheric levels.
"This is the first study to bring all these elements together in one experiment," said first author Manu Nimmala Ph.D. '26. "We combined genetically engineered switchgrass that produced fluorescent pollen, novel drone and ground-based sampling systems, high-resolution wind measurements, and atmospheric dispersal simulations to connect measured pollen concentrations with pollen release from the source field."
A genetically engineered crop has DNA that has been intentionally modified to introduce a specific trait.
According to David G. Schmale III, professor of plant and environmental sciences, the atmosphere is one of the least-sampled ecosystems. An increased understanding of how pollen moves through the atmosphere can help improve strategies for managing the movement of pollen and genes between neighboring plants, protecting seed production systems, and forecasting airborne allergens.
"Pollen is an airborne particle with important implications for agriculture, ecosystems, and human health," said Schmale.
Those with allergies may appreciate the ability to accurately predict pollen distribution in the atmosphere, but pollen can also be a nuisance for crops and farmers.
"Farmers can build fences to keep livestock out, but fences don't stop pollen, plant pathogens, or tiny insects from moving across the landscape," said Schmale, director of the Translational Plant Sciences Center. "That invisible movement is what makes atmospheric biology both so challenging and so important to understand."
In this case, the researchers engineered the switchgrass to produce an orange fluorescent protein in its pollen, allowing them to distinguish it from naturally occurring pollen in the environment. Drones equipped with air sampling devices that draw in airborne particles into a liquid solution were then flown over the genetically engineered crop. In addition, two other kinds of air-sampling devices measured the pollen transfer on the ground level.
"A sampler can tell you that pollen was in the air, but it doesn't automatically tell you how it got there," said Nimmala, currently a postdoctoral fellow in engineering mechanics. "The goal was to connect what we captured to the field and the meteorology."
The team found that pollen movement could be measured using a combination of ground- and drone-based sampling systems. High-volume ground samplers were the most effective at capturing pollen from the small field source, while drone-based samplers demonstrated the ability to collect pollen above and downwind from the field source. The genetically engineered switchgrass also provided a proof of concept for tracking pollen movement in the atmosphere using fluorescent markers.
The results showed that pollen release rose in the early afternoon and was shaped by weather, especially wind speed, humidity, and temperature. When winds were slow and shifting, shorter wind-averaging windows helped the model better follow the plume.
"We found that it's really important to include changing wind directions when predicting where pollen travels," Nimmala said. "When we accounted for that, the modeled prediction better matched what we measured in the field."
Switchgrass was used for the research, according to Schmale, because it is a leading perennial bioenergy crop in the United States, sharing it can produce large amounts of biomass but requires less input than corn.
"That is one reason regulators want a strong understanding of how pollen and genes move through the environment before new varieties are deployed as scale," Schmale said.
And that is the next step: to scale up.
Other researchers who participated in this study include:
* Landon Bilyeu, former graduate research assistant, plant and environmental sciences, Virginia Tech
* Hosein Foroutan, associate professor, civil and environmental engineering, Virginia Tech
* Hope A. Gruszewski, laboratory technician, research specialist senior, Virginia Tech
* Regina Hanlon, research associate, Virginia Tech
* Reginald J. Millwood, research assistant professor, University of Tennessee
* Tyler Newton, assistant technology transfer manager, University of Tennessee
* Craig Powers, former postdoctoral fellow, plant and environmental sciences, Virginia Tech
* Shane Ross, professor, aerospace and ocean engineering, Virginia Tech
* Charles Neal Stewart Jr., professor, University of Tennessee
* Jessica Stockdale, graduate research assistant, University of Tennessee
Original study: DOI10.1007/s10661-026-15632-3
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Original text here: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/07/modeling-pollen-dispersal-david-schmale.html
Virginia Tech: Matthew Taylor Named Head of Department of Food Science and Technology
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Aug. 4 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news:
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Matthew Taylor named head of Department of Food Science and Technology
Taylor brings to his new role nearly two decades of experience mentoring students and leading collaborative food safety research totaling more than $52 million in funding.
By Courtney Vondracek
Matthew Taylor has been named the new head of Virginia Tech's Department of Food Science and Technology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He begins his appointment Aug. 10.
Taylor brings with him nearly two decades of experience in mentoring
... Show Full Article
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Aug. 4 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news:
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Matthew Taylor named head of Department of Food Science and Technology
Taylor brings to his new role nearly two decades of experience mentoring students and leading collaborative food safety research totaling more than $52 million in funding.
By Courtney Vondracek
Matthew Taylor has been named the new head of Virginia Tech's Department of Food Science and Technology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He begins his appointment Aug. 10.
Taylor brings with him nearly two decades of experience in mentoringundergraduate and graduate students, leading collaborative research programs across university departments and delivering food safety outreach training. He has cultivated relationships with numerous professional and academic organizations, sitting on the editorial boards of the Journal of Food Protection and Food Protection Trends and is a guest reviewer for the Journal of Food Science in the field of food microbiology.
"Coming to the Department of Food Science and Technology as its first external department head is a deep honor for me," Taylor said. "I am beyond grateful for the welcome and the trust shown to me and my family by the department's faculty, staff, students, and the college's leadership."
Taylor brings a distinguished record of leadership and academic achievement to the department as well as extensive expertise in microbial food safety. In his previous role as a professor of food safety applied microbiology at Texas A&M University, his research program collaborated on projects totaling over $52 million in funding with a focus on developing and validating microbiological and mathematical tools for members of the U.S. food industry to facilitate strong food safety protection from foodborne pathogens.
Along with serving on departmental and collegiate food safety committees, Taylor is a member of the Texas Food Protection Task Force Steering Committee, the International Association for Food Protection, and the Produce Safety Alliance-Advanced Produce Safety Workshops.
At Texas A&M University, he taught courses focused on microbiology and the microbial safety of human foods and sustained a competitively funded research laboratory. He also supported Texas A&M's AgriLife Extension Service through the delivery of food safety-focused teachings to food processing program participants and food industry members.
"We are excited to have Dr. Taylor join us as we continue to build upon an already outstanding food science and technology program," said Mario Ferruzzi, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "His record of leadership and scholarship will be invaluable for taking the program into the future and preparing the next generation of food scientists to tackle the challenges our stakeholders face across food systems in Virginia and across the country."
In addition to his on-campus teaching, Taylor regularly leads the delivery of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point courses, an internationally recognized and systematic system for food safety used to identify and control hazards throughout the entire food supply chain.
"I am excited to work to maintain the excellence the department has already achieved and move toward a bright future for Virginia, the U.S., and global food industries," Taylor said. "The department's core mission is to ensure a wholesome and safe food supply for the commonwealth and the U.S. To do this, we recommit ourselves to assisting the food industries in solving the needs they encounter by high-quality industry outreach and Extension, impactful research that answers questions the industry brings to us, and training the next generations of food scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs."
Taylor earned a doctoral degree in food science and technology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2006. He received a master's degree in food science and bachelor's degrees in both sociology and food science from North Carolina State University in 2003 and 2000, respectively.
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Original text here: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/07/matthew-taylor-named-head-of-virginia-tech-department-of-food-sc.html
Midwestern University Medical Student Earns Prestigious Schweitzer Fellowship
DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, Aug. 4 -- Midwestern University issued the following news:
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Midwestern University Medical Student Earns Prestigious Schweitzer Fellowship
CCOM Student Will Lead Emergency Preparedness Program for Chicago Immigrant Communities
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Eriq Gasse, a fourth-year student at Midwestern University's Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM), has been selected as a 2026-27 Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellow, a competitive year-long service-learning program that supports graduate students who develop innovative projects to improve the health of underserved communities.
For
... Show Full Article
DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, Aug. 4 -- Midwestern University issued the following news:
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Midwestern University Medical Student Earns Prestigious Schweitzer Fellowship
CCOM Student Will Lead Emergency Preparedness Program for Chicago Immigrant Communities
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Eriq Gasse, a fourth-year student at Midwestern University's Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM), has been selected as a 2026-27 Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellow, a competitive year-long service-learning program that supports graduate students who develop innovative projects to improve the health of underserved communities.
Forhis project, Eriq will deliver an emergency preparedness education program for immigrant communities in Pilsen. The program will teach immigrant families when to call 911, how to communicate with first responders, and lifesaving skills including two-step CPR and Stop the Bleed. "Many immigrant families are hesitant to call 911 because they don't know what to expect or fear interacting with the emergency response system," Eriq said. "If people leave this program knowing one lifesaving skill and feeling confident enough to call for help when it's needed, we've made a real difference."
Turning Emergency Medicine Experience into Service
Before medical school, Eriq worked in emergency medical services where he frequently cared for immigrant patients who relied on emergency departments as their primary point of access to healthcare. Those experiences showed him how limited health literacy and fear of seeking care could leave families vulnerable during emergencies. After moving to Chicago, he recognized many of the same challenges in immigrant communities. "I wanted to take the emergency education we were already providing through CCOM's Emergency Medicine Club and bring it directly into the community," he said.
Eriq said his education at Midwestern University gave him both the confidence and opportunity to turn the idea into a community service project. Through CCOM's Emergency Medicine Club, he helped teach Stop the Bleed training during CCOM's Mini Med School and other outreach events, experiences that inspired him to expand those educational programs into Chicago neighborhoods. Faculty mentorship also helped shape the project. He credits faculty mentor April Brill, D.O., Chair, Clinical Education, with encouraging him to pursue the project and use his interests to serve others. "That support gave me the confidence to expand the work we were already doing at CCOM into the community," Eriq said.
Preparing for a Lifetime of Service
Named in honor of humanitarian and Nobel laureate Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program encourages students to become lifelong leaders in service by addressing unmet health needs among Chicagoland residents. Each fellow collaborates with existing community organizations to develop a community-based project and dedicate 200 hours of service.
"Leading this project has confirmed that this is the community I want to serve throughout my career as an emergency physician," Eriq said. "If it helps save even one life, it will have been worth it."
In addition to his service project, Eriq and his peers will also participate in a thirteen-month program that includes monthly meetings, training, and ongoing opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration as well as support from a team of mentors from their schools, project sites, alumni network, and staff. The new Fellows join a network of over 800 Chicago alumni.
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Original text here: https://www.midwestern.edu/news-stories/midwestern-university-medical-student-earns-prestigious-schweitzer-fellowship
FIU: Alumnus Named Early Heart Researcher of the Year
MIAMI, Florida, Aug. 4 -- Florida International University, a component of the public university system in Florida, issued the following news:
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Alumnus named early heart researcher of the year
By Gisela Maria Valencia
One person dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease. Heart problems plague thousands of people, including children: about 40,000 babies are born each year with congenital heart defects.
These numbers are staggering. Billions of lives are impacted around the world.
Daniel Chaparro '18, Ph.D. '25 is a researcher working hard to uncover the underlying biological mechanisms
... Show Full Article
MIAMI, Florida, Aug. 4 -- Florida International University, a component of the public university system in Florida, issued the following news:
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Alumnus named early heart researcher of the year
By Gisela Maria Valencia
One person dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease. Heart problems plague thousands of people, including children: about 40,000 babies are born each year with congenital heart defects.
These numbers are staggering. Billions of lives are impacted around the world.
Daniel Chaparro '18, Ph.D. '25 is a researcher working hard to uncover the underlying biological mechanismsof cardiovascular disease and ways to improve treatment capabilities for children with congenital heart defects. A biomedical engineer at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Chaparro focuses on cardiovascular tissue engineering and the preservation of living heart valve replacements (known as a "grafts") for transplants.
For his work, Chaparro was recently named the 2026 Florida Heart Research Foundation's "Stop Heart Disease Early Career Researcher of the Year." He received the award this week during the annual meeting of the Florida Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, which was held in Orlando. The award recognizes and promotes excellence in cardiovascular research throughout Florida and comes with a $50,000 prize for the honoree.
"The award means so much to me," Chaparro says. "One of my mentors, Dr. Joshua Hutcheson, and one of my lab mates have both received this award. Receiving the same award cements the fact that I'm on the right path to becoming a successful researcher. FIU is making huge strides toward becoming a powerhouse in cardiovascular research, and I'm happy to be part of it."
Chaparro began his journey researching the heart as an undergraduate at FIU. He took a class with Joshua Hutcheson, who is an associate professor of biomedical engineering and the director of the FIU-Florida Heart Research Foundation Center for Innovation in Cardiovascular Health.
"Danny was a student in the first class I ever taught at FIU," Hutcheson recalls. "Right away, he was one of the students that made teaching fun. His enthusiasm, his asking questions, his genuine curiosity to learn more about whatever subject we were discussing...I saw that innate curiosity combined with a very high level of intelligence."
Chaparro took a job as a research assistant in Hutcheson's Cardiovascular Matrix Remodeling Lab. "He seemed to really enjoy it," Hutcheson says. "I started talking to him about what a Ph.D. could look like."
Hutcheson demystified the whole Ph.D. process and shared information with him about funding opportunities. Chaparro decided to pursue the advanced degree.
As a doctoral student, Chaparro conducted key research in Hutcheson's lab. He analyzed a wealth of cardiovascular tissue samples to understand the root causes of cardiovascular disease. "He was extremely productive," Hutcheson recalls. "In lab meetings, he would lead conversations, and he just became an example for all the other students. Early on, he was someone that I thought of as a colleague."
Heart of the matter
Today, Chaparro is part of the research team in the Kalfa Lab for Congenital Heart Research at Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, led by Dr. David Kalfa. A professor in the departments of pediatrics and surgery, Kalfa is an internationally recognized expert in pediatric congenital cardiac surgery. He also serves as chief of cardiovascular surgery and co-director of the Nicklaus Children's Heart Institute, where he performs complex heart surgeries on children.
In his role, Chaparro focuses on developing a bioreactor tissue culture system - a device used to grow tissues - that will maintain heart tissue alive and functioning properly for an extended period of time. This would advance current systems that require heart valves to be immediately transplanted into pediatric patients.
Why is it important to extend the "shelf life" of cardiac valves meant for transplantation? Medical professionals must often race to get a donor's heart quickly to where another patient with congenital heart defects is being treated.
"Twenty percent of the hearts for transplants are lost due to logistics," Chaparro explains. "Sometimes the patient is too far or there is a size mismatch."
Enter Kalfa's lab and Chaparro for a solution. "If we could store the valves for a short period of time instead of the valve having to be transplanted immediately, we could help thousands of kids, and that's only in the United States," says Chaparro.
"Daniel has an outstanding work ethic," Kalfa says. "He is a phenomenal researcher. The words that would characterize him are scientific rigor, passion and altruism."
Kalfa adds that the award highlights these qualities in Chaparro. One example: Chaparro is using the award's prize money to give back to undergraduate researchers.
"I'm going to be using part of the funds to establish a paid undergraduate research program in the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine," Chaparro says. "There are so many super talented undergraduate students that have to balance school and work. I want to help give more students the opportunity to be involved in medical research early. I want to help students who started out the way I did."
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Focus on the science: heart valves
Why exactly are valve transplants so critical? It goes back to those approximately 40,000 babies born with congenital heart defects. A portion of these children need heart valve transplants to survive.
Heart valves are the flaps of tissue that open and close as blood pumps between the heart and the rest of the body. If valves are not working properly, it could be devastating.
A heart transplant or temporary valve transplant must be performed on a child who has a valve that is irreparably damaged. Most valve transplant strategies do not currently allow a transplant to grow as the child grows in size. By the time a child is 18, he or she may have undergone five to seven open-heart surgeries to continue replacing heart valves.
Kalfa is one of the doctors embracing a solution to this problem: partial heart transplants. Earlier this year, Kalfa led the first partial heart transplant performed in the state of Florida at the Nicklaus Children's Hospital Heart Institute, marking a major advancement in pediatric heart surgery.
"Partial heart transplantation is redefining what's possible in pediatric heart surgery," Kalfa says. "By transplanting a living valve, we're not just repairing a defect--we're restoring heart function in a way that allows it to grow naturally with the child. Our goal is to move beyond temporary solutions and provide children with durable, life-changing outcomes."
That's why Chaparro's work to extend the "shelf life" of heart valves for transplants can go a long way in helping save more and more children who may receive partial heart transplants.
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Original text here: https://news.fiu.edu/2026/alumnus-named-early-heart-researcher-of-the-year
Capitol Technology University Partners With Talon Defense to Advance AI Defense Workforce
LAUREL, Maryland, Aug. 4 -- Capitol Technology University issued the following news:
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Capitol Technology University Partners with Talon Defense to Advance AI Defense Workforce
Capitol Technology University is proud to announce a new partnership with Talon Defense, Inc., a leader in defense-focused artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, to expand opportunities for students and advance collaborative research in AI and cybersecurity.
The partnership brings together Capitol Tech's nationally recognized strengths in computer science, critical infrastructure, and cybersecurity with Talon Defense's
... Show Full Article
LAUREL, Maryland, Aug. 4 -- Capitol Technology University issued the following news:
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Capitol Technology University Partners with Talon Defense to Advance AI Defense Workforce
Capitol Technology University is proud to announce a new partnership with Talon Defense, Inc., a leader in defense-focused artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, to expand opportunities for students and advance collaborative research in AI and cybersecurity.
The partnership brings together Capitol Tech's nationally recognized strengths in computer science, critical infrastructure, and cybersecurity with Talon Defense'smission to develop cutting-edge capabilities for national security.
The collaboration focuses on unclassified AI research and development through Capitol Tech's new multi-million-dollar Capitol AI Learning & Innovation Environment (CAILIE) lab. CAILIE is designed to give students, faculty, researchers, and industry partners like Talon Defense access to the computing power, infrastructure, and collaborative environment needed to build the next generation of artificial intelligence.
Another benefit of the partnership will be a stronger pipeline of highly skilled cyber and AI professionals entering the defense workforce. Talon Defense will actively recruit Capitol Tech students and graduates through career fairs, internship opportunities, and entry-level employment pathways.
"Partnering with industry leaders is essential to preparing students for meaningful careers in emerging technologies," said Keith Michel, CAILIE Director at Capitol Technology University. "Working with Talon Defense will give our students opportunities to learn about real-world applications of AI in defense while creating avenues for critical research that addresses national challenges."
"Defense needs engineers who can evaluate, tune, and operate AI systems in mission environments, and Capitol is producing them fifteen minutes up the road from our Columbia headquarters," said Chris Benney, Chief Operating Officer of Talon Defense. "We're proud to help develop and hire the next generation of cyber and AI talent."
Capitol Tech has long been recognized for preparing graduates to enter high-demand STEM careers that support government, defense, and commercial innovation. Talon Defense's expertise in operational AI and cyber technologies complements the university's strengths in applied research and workforce development.
Together, Capitol Technology University and Talon Defense are committed to continue breaking new ground in tech, strengthening the nation's AI workforce, and accelerating meaningful opportunities for students to contribute to the future of defense and technology.
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About Capitol Technology University
Capitol Technology University is a leading STEM university located in Laurel, MD near the vibrant DC metropolitan area. Ranked #1 in Maryland for graduate salaries at all degree levels, the university's mission is to educate individuals for successful professional careers in technology, research, engineering, management, and business by providing relevant learning experiences. Through industry-expert faculty, technical skills development, and innovative partnerships, Capitol Tech fosters career advancement opportunities for the evolving global community. Learn more at www.captechu.edu.
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About Talon Defense
Talon Defense develops advanced artificial intelligence technologies and mission-focused software solutions that enhance national security capabilities. Working closely with defense and government organizations, Talon Defense delivers innovative AI solutions designed to support complex operational environments while building the next generation of technical talent. Learn more at www.talondefense.com.
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Original text here: https://www.captechu.edu/news-events/capitol-technology-university-partners-talon-defense-advance-ai-defense-workforce
$600,000 Grant Fuels Future of Arts and Technology at Grinnell
GRINNELL, Iowa, Aug. 4 -- Grinnell College issued the following news:
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$600,000 Grant Fuels Future of Arts and Technology at Grinnell
A Four-year $600,000 grant will expand interdisciplinary teaching, creative technology, and student opportunities across the arts.
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Grinnell College has received a $600,000 grant from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation to launch a four-year initiative that will expand the integration of technology throughout the College's arts curricula while creating new opportunities for collaboration, creative exploration, and interdisciplinary learning.
The award, approved
... Show Full Article
GRINNELL, Iowa, Aug. 4 -- Grinnell College issued the following news:
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$600,000 Grant Fuels Future of Arts and Technology at Grinnell
A Four-year $600,000 grant will expand interdisciplinary teaching, creative technology, and student opportunities across the arts.
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Grinnell College has received a $600,000 grant from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation to launch a four-year initiative that will expand the integration of technology throughout the College's arts curricula while creating new opportunities for collaboration, creative exploration, and interdisciplinary learning.
The award, approvedby the Foundation's Board of Directors in June, will support new courses, faculty development, visiting artists, student research, collaborative teaching, and the creation of an innovative intermedia space that brings together film, music, theatre, and emerging technologies.
President Anne F. Harris shared, "The liberal arts encourage students to ask bold questions, explore new ideas, and dynamically connect knowledge across disciplines. This generous support from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation allows us to build on those strengths by creating new opportunities for students and faculty to experiment and collaborate at the intersection of technology and the arts. We're grateful for the Foundation's investment in Grinnell's students and in the future of creative learning."
At the heart of the initiative is a vision to prepare students for an evolving creative landscape where artistic practice increasingly intersects with digital technologies. Faculty across the arts will work together to develop new courses and learning experiences that encourage experimentation while equipping students with technical and creative skills applicable across a wide range of careers.
"This grant is important both practically and symbolically. At both levels, it's an investment in the future of the arts at Grinnell," said Ruth Feingold, Dean of the College. "Our students thrive when they're encouraged to explore ideas across disciplines, and this funding will give our faculty the resources to create new opportunities where artistic creativity and emerging technologies come together. It reflects Grinnell's commitment to providing an innovative liberal arts education that prepares students to shape the changing creative landscape."
Professor Craig Quintero, said, "The grant is an amazing acknowledgement of the innovative work already being created in the arts at the College, while also providing funding to enable faculty to explore new digital mediums and add more technology-based projects to the curriculum."
A major component of the project will be outfitting a new intermedia space within Grinnell's Film and Media Studies Center at 1013 Broad Street. The flexible space will support multimedia installations, expanded cinema events, immersive performances, multichannel sound, and collaborative artistic projects while serving as a hub for teaching and experimentation.
Beyond physical space, the grant will encourage faculty collaboration through workshops, retreats, and curricular development projects that connect departments in new ways. Faculty will receive support to redesign existing courses, create interdisciplinary offerings, pursue specialized training in emerging technologies, and experiment with sustainable models of collaborative teaching.
"The Arts faculty at the College is already exploring cutting-edge advancements in projection mapping, digital music, VR, and immersive installations. This grant provides funding to enable faculty to dig deeper into their research and explore other emerging fields," Quintero added.
Students will benefit from expanded access to advanced creative technologies, new interdisciplinary courses, opportunities to work with nationally and internationally recognized visiting artists, and travel experiences that expose them to innovative artistic work beyond campus. The initiative will also culminate in two public symposia that bring together artists, scholars, students, and faculty to explore the intersection of art and technology while showcasing creative work developed through the grant.
The initiative will be directed by Professor Craig Quintero during its first year and Professor Nicky Tavares during its second year; they will help to guide faculty collaboration and oversee the development of new curricular and creative opportunities.
By bringing together expertise from across the arts, the project aims to strengthen interdisciplinary connections while ensuring Grinnell students graduate with the creative, collaborative, and technological skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital artistic landscape.
Quintero shared, "As we roll out the program this fall, we will hold an informational session in September to provide details about the funding parameters as we invite the community to help us reimagine the fruitful interplay between art and technology."
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Original text here: https://www.grinnell.edu/news/600000-grant-fuels-future-arts-technology-grinnell
#Nature Isn't One-size-fits-all, University of Michigan Study Finds
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, Aug. 4 (TNSjou) -- The University of Michigan issued the following news:
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#Nature isn't one-size-fits-all, U-M study finds
Analysis of nearly 400,000 social media posts reveals that city parks, forests and other natural spaces inspire different emotions, activities and social connections
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People often talk about "getting out into nature" as if all green spaces offer the same experience.
But a new University of Michigan study suggests that's far from the case. Whether you're strolling through a city park or hiking deep in a national forest can shape not only what
... Show Full Article
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, Aug. 4 (TNSjou) -- The University of Michigan issued the following news:
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#Nature isn't one-size-fits-all, U-M study finds
Analysis of nearly 400,000 social media posts reveals that city parks, forests and other natural spaces inspire different emotions, activities and social connections
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People often talk about "getting out into nature" as if all green spaces offer the same experience.
But a new University of Michigan study suggests that's far from the case. Whether you're strolling through a city park or hiking deep in a national forest can shape not only whatyou do, but how you feel, who you spend time with, and how you remember the experience.
Rather than asking people how they experience nature in a laboratory or survey, researchers examined nearly 400,000 real-world social media posts describing outdoor experiences across the United States.
Posts about nature were overwhelmingly positive, whether people were hiking, camping, hunting, taking photographs or simply enjoying time with family and friends.
But the setting often shaped the story. City parks were more commonly linked to family outings and recreation, while rural landscapes inspired posts about adventure, camping and the popular hashtags #GetOutside and #OptOutside.
"Our findings show that nature isn't a single, uniform experience," said Kate Schertz, U-M psychology research fellow and first author in this federally funded study. "The psychological benefits people receive depend not only on spending time outdoors, but also on the kind of natural environment they're experiencing."
Schertz and colleagues used advanced text analytics to identify common themes in hundreds of thousands of posts, revealing patterns that would have been impossible to detect by reading them one at a time.
The findings add to a growing body of research showing that nature supports happiness and well-being. They also suggest that different landscapes provide different kinds of psychological experiences.
"Nature is psychologically diverse," Schertz said. "A visit to a city park can offer something very different from a day in the wilderness, and both experiences have value."
The research has implications for communities planning parks, conserving public lands and adapting to climate change. As urban growth and environmental change reshape the landscapes people can access, preserving a variety of natural spaces may be just as important as preserving nature itself.
"Our results remind us that access to nature isn't simply about having green space nearby," Schertz said. "Different environments foster different experiences, relationships and connections with the natural world."
The findings suggest that protecting nature isn't simply about preserving beautiful places. It's also about preserving the many different experiences those places make possible--from a child's first picnic in a neighborhood park to a backpacker's weekend in the wilderness.
The study, which appeared in the journal Environment and Behavior, was co-authored by Sonya Sachdeva (U.S. Forest Service), Ethan Kross (U-M) and Marc Berman (University of Chicago).
The work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation (DGE-1746045 and S&CC-1952050) and the John Templeton Foundation.
Study: Let's talk about nature: Understanding multifaceted nature experiences in the United States using social media (DOI: 10.1177/00139165261466568)
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Original text here: https://news.umich.edu/nature-isnt-one-size-fits-all-u-m-study-finds/
