Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
University of New South Wales: Surprise Baby Whale Sightings Reveal There's Still Much to Learn About Humpbacks
SYDNEY, Australia, May 20 -- The University of New South Wales issued the following news:
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Surprise baby whale sightings reveal there's still much to learn about humpbacks
Humpback whales are not always born in tropical waters, new research has shown - challenging long-held assumptions about their breeding and migration behaviours, while raising new questions for marine conservation.
A UNSW-led study published today shows humpback whales are being born much further south than previously thought, with sightings extending as far as Tasmania - more than 1500 kilometres ahead of the assumed
... Show Full Article
SYDNEY, Australia, May 20 -- The University of New South Wales issued the following news:
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Surprise baby whale sightings reveal there's still much to learn about humpbacks
Humpback whales are not always born in tropical waters, new research has shown - challenging long-held assumptions about their breeding and migration behaviours, while raising new questions for marine conservation.
A UNSW-led study published today shows humpback whales are being born much further south than previously thought, with sightings extending as far as Tasmania - more than 1500 kilometres ahead of the assumedcalving zone.
"Historically, we believed that humpback whales migrating north from the nutrient-rich Southern Ocean were travelling to warmer, tropical waters such as the Great Barrier Reef to calve," says lead author Jane McPhee-Frew, a UNSW Sydney PhD candidate and whale watching skipper.
The study includes more than 200 sightings of humpback calves from whale watching operators, citizen scientists and government wildlife agencies - across an area extending from Queensland down to Tasmania and across to New Zealand's South Island. The findings challenge current beliefs of where humpback whales give birth.
"I was working part-time as a skipper on a whale-watching boat in Newcastle when I first spotted a calf in the area," McPhee-Frew says.
"It seemed out of place," she says. "The calf was tiny, obviously brand new. What were they doing here? But none of my tourism colleagues seemed surprised.
"This sparked a conversation with my research colleagues, and we realised there was a gap between the scientific literature and the sightings."
McPhee-Frew says once they started investigating, reported sightings came in from further and further south.
"Eventually, we just ran out of land to see them from," she says. "So we don't actually know where the limit is. But we had reports right to the bottom of Tassie, the southernmost points of Western Australia and to the South Island of New Zealand."
This emerging pattern suggests humpbacks may have more complex migration and breeding behaviours than previously thought - which comes with a new set of issues.
Navigating risky waters
McPhee-Frew's first calf sighting in Newcastle in 2023 was from within a busy shipping lane - the city is home to the largest coal export port in the world.
Most observations of live calves in the study were from 2016 onwards, with two-thirds of observations made in 2023 or 2024.
"It's not just the sightings themselves that are important," McPhee-Frew says.
"The pattern we're seeing is mother whales with calves travelling through some of the busiest shipping lanes and urbanised regions.
"This means these vulnerable animals are exposed to risks like boat strikes, entanglements, pollution - and just general public unawareness."
The study is an example of how industry, research institutions, government agencies and the wider public work together to improve the understanding and protection of marine life.
Back from the brink
Humpback whales were once close to extinction, with populations in the 1960s plummeting into the low hundreds. On the back of increased protection and conservation efforts, their numbers have risen to around 50,000 today.
McPhee-Frew says while the discovery of baby humpbacks being born so far south of the tropics might seem new, the behaviour itself might not be. It's probably just newly visible.
She scoured historical records, including 19th-century whaling logbooks and accounts from expeditions like Captain Scott's Terra Nova. Within these texts were sightings of mothers with calves at similar latitudes to those now being reported.
This information on breeding patterns was likely not seen for decades as humpback populations were so low following industrial whaling, says McPhee-Frew. The behaviours may also only just be coming into view, "with more eyes than ever before looking at the water with technology like drones and with activities like whale watching."
McPhee-Frew says what this study highlights is the critical need for increased awareness to protect the newborn whales throughout their winter journey north - which, in some cases, could span more than 2300km.
"Regardless of the health of population now, we can't be in a situation where we're putting any age of whales - especially baby whales - in a situation where they're getting caught in nets, being exposed to chemicals, being hit by boats and being harassed."
Co-author Professor Tracey Rogers, also from UNSW, says newborn humpbacks are not as strong as adult whales.
"Mums with newborns swim much more slowly," Prof. Rogers says.
"Newborns are like Great Dane puppies. They have those long, enormous fins that they need to grow into, and they're not very strong swimmers. So they rest a lot of the time on their mum's back," she says.
"Imagine giving birth off Hobart and then swimming up the coast.
"It's heartbreaking to think of these young whales travelling through busy ports and dangerous shipping lanes with those long, clumsy fins.
"And it's not just happening here in NSW - this is off WA, Victoria, Tasmania, New Zealand - it's something we just didn't know before."
Keeping a safe distance
"The legislation to protect humpback whales, including mothers and calves, is already in place across all states," says Dr Adelaide Dedden from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service - which collaborated with the UNSW scientists for this study.
"But we do have a gap in public awareness, particularly among recreational water users," Dr Dedden says.
"People need to be aware that calves are being seen not just on the southern migration but also on the northern one."
While close-up images of baby humpbacks may give the impression that encounters are guaranteed, these moments are rare and rely on the whales approaching out of curiosity - not pursuit by vessels.
"Humpbacks are charismatic and curious," Dr Dedden says. "They're going to want to come and check out the boat."
She says NSW waters have numerous whale watch operators. The guidelines are to maintain a 100m distance from adult whales and 300m from mother-calf pairs.
"We've been working hard to get this message out to the public and encourage boaters, surfers, kayakers and jet-ski operators to be aware of these guidelines," Dr Dedden says.
A collaborative effort
McPhee-Frew says partnering with government agencies and sharing information ultimately supports better policies to protect the whales.
She also says whale watching operators, who are regularly out on the water, are critical for providing sightings data as well as educating the public about safe approaches.
In addition, social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are invaluable tools for citizen science, for sharing images and information about whale sightings.
"The excitement and curiosity around whales are contagious," McPhee-Frew says.
"We've built a huge repository of data just by encouraging the public to share observations."
An unanswered question
McPhee-Frew says the question remains of why humpback mothers continue to use the 'humpback highway' to travel north after giving birth because, "in the tropics, there's really no food for them."
She says rather than holding a strict view of migratory patterns with fixed endpoints, the research focus is shifting to how humpbacks use different marine environments on their journey.
"We still have a lot to learn," says McPhee-Frew.
"But, you know what? It's such a privilege to see whales. It is such a fantastic aspect of living in Australia.
"We just need to follow the rules so everyone can enjoy."
The study includes co-authors Holly Raudino and Kelly Waples from the Western Australia Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, and Dr Vanessa Pirotta from Macquarie University.
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Original text here: https://news.unsw.edu.au/en/surprise-baby-whale-sightings-reveal-theres-still-much-to-learn-about-humpbacks
UVA Law School: Gov. Andy Beshear '03 Challenges Graduates To Find Their 'Why'
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, May 20 -- The University of Virginia's School of Law issued the following news:
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Gov. Andy Beshear '03 Challenges Graduates To Find Their 'Why'
Kentucky Governor, a UVA Law Alum, Told Class to 'Find What Guides You -- and Follow That Passion'
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear '03 asked the University of Virginia School of Law graduating class to answer one simple yet fundamental question as they prepared to begin the next chapter of their lives.
"However you pursue your life's work, regardless of the specific field that you find yourself in, your ability to succeed
... Show Full Article
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, May 20 -- The University of Virginia's School of Law issued the following news:
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Gov. Andy Beshear '03 Challenges Graduates To Find Their 'Why'
Kentucky Governor, a UVA Law Alum, Told Class to 'Find What Guides You -- and Follow That Passion'
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear '03 asked the University of Virginia School of Law graduating class to answer one simple yet fundamental question as they prepared to begin the next chapter of their lives.
"However you pursue your life's work, regardless of the specific field that you find yourself in, your ability to succeedand have an impact on the world is directly related not to the 'what' but in finding your 'why,'" Beshear said in his commencement address Sunday.
Reflecting on his own sense of purpose, Beshear, a father of two, said his faith and family were what drove him. He recalled the moment his son, Will, was born and the transformative effect it had on his outlook.
"Literally everything about my life changed in the first moments of his life. With a rare kind of certainty, I knew I needed to change what I was doing. I looked at that child that I was going to be responsible for, and my question was, am I doing everything in my power to create a better world for him?" he said.
Beshear was elected Kentucky's governor in 2019, following a term as the state's attorney general, and was re-elected in 2023. In recent years he has attracted political attention beyond Kentucky and has been mentioned as a potential candidate for national office.
He told graduates that his decision to attend law school was motivated by a passion for the American constitutional system.
"The rule of law and our nation as a whole -- they aren't abstract concepts, and they're not guaranteed," Beshear said. "Instead, they are a calling. America and the rule of law are alive with each generation, and each generation has a duty to answer that call and preserve them."
In encouraging graduates to find their "why," He also stressed the importance of sharing what inspires them with others.
"Talking about what motivates you gives the grace and the space for somebody to think a little different, to maybe even disagree with you on the most political of topics, but still support you in what you're doing," he said.
Beshear added, though, that sharing your "why" with others was a two-way street.
"When someone tells you about their 'why,' you have to listen and not judge and try to understand. Because it makes a world of difference when you show people that you genuinely care about them, when you talk to them and not at them," he said.
Sunday's commencement ceremony was the culmination of a weekend of events celebrating this year's graduating class. On Saturday, the Law School Foundation hosted an evening reception for graduates along with their families and friends in Caplin Pavilion. Earlier Sunday, Final Exercises for the University were held on the Lawn.
In total, 307 J.D. candidates, 56 LL.M. candidates and two S.J.D. candidates were eligible to receive degrees.
Another Kentuckian, Dean Leslie Kendrick '06, kicked off the Law School graduation ceremony with opening remarks.
"Your degree is not only a qualification; it gives you a new role in our society. You are joining a noble and learned profession, one that will open many doors but also confers many obligations," Kendrick said, in presiding over her first graduation ceremony as UVA Law's dean.
She also encouraged the class to take a moment to think about and show gratitude toward all of the people who helped get them to that day, telling them "nothing truly important is achieved alone."
Kendrick also honored the graduates for their contributions to the legal field during their time at UVA Law, including 91 students who completed the school's Pro Bono Challenge. In total, she noted, the class logged more than 15,000 pro bono hours during their time at the Law School.
After the commencement address, Kendrick announced awards, which were followed by the hooding ceremony and ceremonial scroll presentation.
Laura-Louise Rice '25, who served as Student Bar Association president this academic year, introduced Beshear, announced the class gift and called on her classmates to, amid the day's pageantry, turn their attention toward the future.
"Today we celebrate, but tomorrow we begin the work. We begin the work not to be remembered but to make justice undeniable," she said.
Toward the end of his remarks, Beshear urged the new graduates to not waver from their purpose.
"I want to encourage you to not just be brilliant in your reasoning but thoughtful in its application; to be not just bold in your arguments but compassionate in your actions," he said.
"Find what guides you -- and follow that passion."
Referring to the devastating tornados that swept through his state just days earlier, Beshear urged the Class of 2025 to remember the powerful lessons that can emerge from tragedy.
"Life is short. Our job is to do good things and to be kind to each other. If we can show each other compassion, love, generosity and maybe even a little patience, we can make a better nation and a better world."
Scenes From Graduation
Awards Presented at Graduation
Margaret G. Hyde Award
To the graduate whose scholarship, character, personality, activities in the affairs of the school, and promise of efficiency have warranted special recognition.
Courtney C. Douglas
James C. Slaughter Honor Award
To an outstanding member of the graduating class.
Nathaniel J. Glass
Thomas Marshall Miller Prize
To an outstanding and deserving member or members of the graduating class.
Bryce Maguire Campanelli
Tracy Grieshaber Zeller '99 Memorial Award
To the graduate with the highest academic record after five semesters and the graduate with the highest academic record after six semesters. (The six-semester Zeller award will be announced over the summer, after all of the final grade calculations have been made.)
Kevin Hoang
Z Society Shannon Award
To the graduate with the highest academic record after five semesters.
Kevin Hoang
Robert E. Goldsten Award for Distinction in the Classroom
To the graduate who has contributed the most to classroom education by his or her outstanding recitation and discussion.
Maya E. McCollum
LL.M. Graduation Award
To an outstanding member or members of the graduating LL.M. class.
Vitor Guilherme da Silva Barbosa
Roger and Madeleine Traynor Prize
To the graduate or graduates who have produced outstanding written work.
Cameron Beach
Mitchell Anthony Del Bianco
Herbert Kramer/Herbert Bangel Community Service Award
To the graduate who has contributed the most to the community.
Delaney E. Tubbs
Pro Bono Award
To the graduate who contributed the most to the Law School's Pro Bono Program.
Kylie Frances Mignat
Mortimer Caplin Public Service Award
To a graduate entering a career in the public service sector who demonstrates the qualities of leadership, integrity and service to others.
Matthew Burch Steelberg
Edwin S. Cohen Tax Prize
To a graduate who has demonstrated superior scholarship in the tax area.
Jacob Walter Cohen
Earle K. Shawe Labor Relations Award
To the graduate who shows the greatest promise in the field of labor relations.
John Henry Vansant
John M. Olin Prize in Law and Economics
To a graduate or graduates who have produced outstanding written work in the field of law and economics.
Jacob Walter Cohen
Eppa Hunton IV Memorial Book Award
To a graduate who demonstrates unusual aptitude in courses in the field of litigation, and who shows a keen awareness and understanding of the lawyer's ethical and professional responsibility.
Jared Zurong Tay
Virginia Trial Lawyers Trial Advocacy Award
To a graduate who shows particular promise in the field of trial advocacy.
Brianna Wainczak
Virginia State Bar Family Law Book Award
To the graduate who has demonstrated the most promise and potential for the practice of family law.
Kylie Frances Mignat
Founded in 1819, the University of Virginia School of Law is the second-oldest continuously operating law school in the nation. Consistently ranked among the top law schools, Virginia is a world-renowned training ground for distinguished lawyers and public servants, instilling in them a commitment to leadership, integrity and community service.
Media Contact
Cooper Allen
Director of Strategic Communications
callen@law.virginia.edu
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Original text here: https://www.law.virginia.edu/news/202505/gov-andy-beshear-03-challenges-graduates-find-their-why
Trailblazer University Program Unlocks $549 Million From Industry to Accelerate Australia's Innovation Agenda
PERTH, Australia, May 20 -- Curtin University issued the following news release:
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Trailblazer University Program unlocks $549 million from industry to accelerate Australia's innovation agenda
The Australian Department of Education's $370 million Trailblazer Universities Program (TUP) funded between 2022 and 2026) established six Trailblazers focused on national priorities such as defence, space, food and beverage, recycling and clean energy, and resources technology and critical minerals.
Under the Trailblazer program, 14 Australian universities and 220 industry partners have also co-invested
... Show Full Article
PERTH, Australia, May 20 -- Curtin University issued the following news release:
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Trailblazer University Program unlocks $549 million from industry to accelerate Australia's innovation agenda
The Australian Department of Education's $370 million Trailblazer Universities Program (TUP) funded between 2022 and 2026) established six Trailblazers focused on national priorities such as defence, space, food and beverage, recycling and clean energy, and resources technology and critical minerals.
Under the Trailblazer program, 14 Australian universities and 220 industry partners have also co-investeda total of $1.14 billion to build new research capabilities and drive commercialisation outcomes at speed and scale, to accelerate Australia's innovation agenda.
All six Trailblazers have joined forces to call for continued policy and investment support to extend the successful momentum of the Trailblazer Universities Program, as outlined in a joint submission to the Strategic Examination of R&D.
Curtin University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Melinda Fitzgerald said the programs demonstrate the power of university-industry collaboration to deliver real impact.
"Since 2023, the Trailblazer program has been redefining how Australia drives innovation by aligning research with industry needs. At Curtin, more than $100 million in industry co-investment into our Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer shows strong belief in this model. It's delivering collaborative and industry-based impact in one of the nation's most vital sectors at speed and scale. Continued government support is key to sustaining that momentum and further strengthening Australia's innovation ecosystem," Professor Fitzgerald said.
The six Trailblazers have demonstrated the value of university-industry engagement in experimental development, or the translation of research into practical applications- an area where Australia has historically underperformed. Within 18 months of operation, all Trailblazers have had significant achievements:
* unlocking more than $549 million co-investment from 228 industry partners
* establishing more than 319 collaborative projects between industry and academia; and
* fostering early career industry pathways for students and academics through internships, industry sponsored PhDs and academic-industry secondments.
The joint submission to the Strategic Examination of R&D also highlighted several common themes:
* Establish long-term, large-scale commitments to areas of strategic priority - a national vision to guide R&D investment
* Support cultural reform by rewarding, recognising and incentivising university-industry R&D - encourage the commercialisation of research
* Create greater societal understanding of the benefits of R&D and innovation - build a "social license" for basic research, and encourage risk-taking in experimental development
* Create stable funding programs that incentivise industry participation in R&D and innovation - address the funding gaps between prototype development and commercialisation; and
* Create and promote measures that are aligned to the outcomes and impact of R&D investment - metrics to track the success of innovation-based products and services.
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Original text here: https://www.curtin.edu.au/news/media-release/trailblazer-university-program-unlocks-714-million-from-industry-to-accelerate-australias-innovation-agenda/
Pitt Swanson School of Engineering: Planting 'Nano-Seeds,' Growing Nanotubes
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, May 20 -- The University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering issued the following news:
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Planting "Nano-Seeds," Growing Nanotubes
Pitt professor Mostafa Bedewy receives a collaborative NSF grant to advance nanomanufacturing
As phones and other electronics grow smaller and more powerful, designers must find new ways to efficiently keep them cool and connected. Increasingly, they are turning to nanomaterials: imperceptible particles that behave differently because of their size.
While essential for many emerging devices, manufacturing things in the nanoscale
... Show Full Article
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, May 20 -- The University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering issued the following news:
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Planting "Nano-Seeds," Growing Nanotubes
Pitt professor Mostafa Bedewy receives a collaborative NSF grant to advance nanomanufacturing
As phones and other electronics grow smaller and more powerful, designers must find new ways to efficiently keep them cool and connected. Increasingly, they are turning to nanomaterials: imperceptible particles that behave differently because of their size.
While essential for many emerging devices, manufacturing things in the nanoscalecan be unpredictable and difficult to simulate and predict. Researchers Mostafa Bedewy, at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, and Ahmed Aziz Ezzat, at Rutgers University, are seeking to advance understanding of these particles to improve nanomanufacturing. The researchers have received a $549,947 collaborative National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to study new ways of controlling the formation of alumina-supported iron nanoparticles by using machine learning (ML) to efficiently model, characterize, simulate, and predict their growth.
"By using a special type of microscope called the environmental transmission electron microscope, we can watch the process of creating nanocatalysts that act like seeds for growing 'turfs' of tiny structures called carbon nanotubes that are a million times smaller than grass blades," said Bedewy, principal investigator and associate professor and Graduate Program Coordinator for materials science.
Bedewy likens the process to growing grass, or a tiny forest. "We're putting 100 billion nanoparticles on a plot that's one centimeter by one centimeter," he said. "Our previous work indicates that not all of those will grow nanotubes, and our new project aims at revealing this mystery of which ones act as seeds--and why."
Carbon nanotubes--web-like tube structures--have impressive properties. They can be stronger than steel and more conducting that copper. Also, they can dissipate heat in small devices packed with components, making them excellent for interfaces in three-dimensional electronics.
Creating ideal high-density nanotube structures, however, can be difficult.
"It's sort of like cooking," Bedewy said. "Controlling the chemical vapor deposition process we use to grow carbon nanotubes requires finding the right ingredients, temperatures, and conditions. But we're talking about highly coupled physical and chemical processes at the atomic scale."
Because these particles are so small, researchers must use in-situ environmental transmission electron microscopy (E-TEM) to observe their work. Even with advanced electron microscopes, which use beams of electrons to capture images of nanomaterials, obtaining and processing the data has traditionally been inefficient.
"Ten years ago, we used to process images manually, but it took so long to analyze a few images," said Bedewy. "Today, with machine learning, we can collect hundreds of images per second, automate the processing, and, importantly, predict the behavior of nanoparticles at unprecedented resolutions."
Bedewy will collaborate with Aziz Ezzat, assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering at Rutgers University and an expert in ML and spatio-temporal data science. Aziz Ezzat will develop a machine-learning-based system to automate the processing of E-TEM images and further predict the complex nanoparticle dynamics during the fabrication of nanotubes.
"Revealing the spatio-temporal dynamics of nanoparticles from large E-TEM data is a complex challenge which requires a rigorous data science treatment," said Aziz Ezzat. "This project aims to extract scientific insights from E-TEM data through a data science lens, and to develop a powerful predictive simulation tool. It resonates well with the growing momentum to harness AI and data sciences for advancing materials research and accelerating scientific discovery."
We thank the National Science Foundation for its support of this research to find new ways of controlling the formation of alumina-supported iron nanoparticles under NSF project #2414050 and NSF project #2414051.
Contact
Steinur Bell
Communications Writer
Swanson School of Engineering
scb175@pitt.edu
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Original text here: https://news.engineering.pitt.edu/planting-nano-seeds-growing-nanotubes/
Media Tip Sheet: Spain Orders Airbnb to Remove Listings
WASHINGTON, May 20 -- George Washington University posted the following news:
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Media Tip Sheet: Spain Orders Airbnb to Remove Listings
Spain's government ordered Airbnb to remove almost 66,000 listings from its site. The move is part of a crackdown on tourist rentals in the wake of the country's worsening housing crisis.
Housing affordability in Spain has reached a critical point and many say the conversion of living space into tourist accommodations is pushing families out of their homes and driving up the cost of living.
Jungho Suh, a teaching assistant professor of management at
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 20 -- George Washington University posted the following news:
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Media Tip Sheet: Spain Orders Airbnb to Remove Listings
Spain's government ordered Airbnb to remove almost 66,000 listings from its site. The move is part of a crackdown on tourist rentals in the wake of the country's worsening housing crisis.
Housing affordability in Spain has reached a critical point and many say the conversion of living space into tourist accommodations is pushing families out of their homes and driving up the cost of living.
Jungho Suh, a teaching assistant professor of management atthe George Washington University School of Business, can discuss Airbnb's ambitious relaunch of its platform. His areas of expertise include service management, diversity, equity, and inclusion, entrepreneurship, human resource issues in the service industry, sustainability and environmental, social, and governance reporting in the travel industry, digital platforms in tourism and hospitality, and gastronomy tourism.
Suh has published research on a number of topics related to Airbnb, including the role of customer engagement in Airbnb user experience, a cross-cultural study on the social and economic benefits of Airbnb, and Airbnb service quality.
If you would like to schedule an interview, please contact Claire Sabin at claire.sabin@gwu.edu.
-GW-
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Original text here: https://mediarelations.gwu.edu/media-tip-sheet-spain-orders-airbnb-remove-listings
Landmark Donation Powers World-first Endometriosis Research Institute at UNSW
SYDNEY, Australia, May 20 -- The University of New South Wales issued the following news:
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Landmark donation powers world-first endometriosis research institute at UNSW
A $50 million philanthropic contribution will position Australia as a global leader in women's health.
A world-first initiative funded by members of the philanthropic Ainsworth family and led by UNSW Sydney is set to revolutionise endometriosis research, diagnosis, and treatment for millions of people suffering around the world.
Three generations of the Ainsworth family, led by Anna and Lily Ainsworth, have together
... Show Full Article
SYDNEY, Australia, May 20 -- The University of New South Wales issued the following news:
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Landmark donation powers world-first endometriosis research institute at UNSW
A $50 million philanthropic contribution will position Australia as a global leader in women's health.
A world-first initiative funded by members of the philanthropic Ainsworth family and led by UNSW Sydney is set to revolutionise endometriosis research, diagnosis, and treatment for millions of people suffering around the world.
Three generations of the Ainsworth family, led by Anna and Lily Ainsworth, have togethercommitted $50 million over 10 years to establish the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute (AERI) at UNSW. The partnership will position Australia as a global leader in women's health and the fight against endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found outside the uterus, often causing severe pelvic pain, fatigue and in some cases infertility. It is estimated one in seven Australian women will have endometriosis by age 49, impacting their health, fertility, careers, and daily lives. This equates to around 830,000 people in Australia.
Globally, about 200 million people suffer from endometriosis, with one in three people with endometriosis experiencing infertility. Many people with endometriosis endure years of symptoms without answers, waiting six to eight years on average for an accurate diagnosis.
Endometriosis is a significant global challenge, with far-reaching social and economic consequences. In 2025, the World Economic Forum named endometriosis one of the nine diseases most affecting the lives of women, their communities and the global economy. The economic burden of endometriosis on Australia alone is estimated to be between $7.4 billion and $9.7 billion annually.
AERI will adopt a global consortia-based approach to research bringing together top scientists, clinicians, and philanthropists from around the world - including England, Canada, Denmark, India and the USA - to unlock a continuous pipeline of scientific discoveries. The aim is to accelerate breakthroughs in diagnosis and create precision-based treatments. By focusing on genomic research, biorepositories, and advanced testing, AERI will fast-track new understandings of endometriosis, moving beyond current medical limitations.
Record-breaking donation
The contribution from the Ainsworths is record-breaking - the largest known philanthropic contribution to endometriosis research globally and women's health in Australia. It is also the largest philanthropic donation ever received by UNSW.
AERI has been made possible by three branches of the Ainsworths who have been impacted by and care deeply about those with endometriosis: Lily, Greg, Anna and Simon Ainsworth, Paul and Valeria Ainsworth, and Len Ainsworth.
Lily Ainsworth, who has lived with endometriosis since she was a teenager, and her mother, Anna Ainsworth, have experienced firsthand the chronic pain and uncertainty that comes with the disease. The family is determined to improve the outcomes of endometriosis for millions of people worldwide. Experts indicate that scientific progress in this area has lagged, with current understanding of endometriosis similar to where breast cancer research was in the 1970s.
"I've had endo pain since I was 15 years old. While my fertility hasn't been impacted, I experience chronic, daily pain and severe flare ups that debilitate me for days or weeks on end," Lily Ainsworth said.
"Like many others, endometriosis has affected my education, my career, my relationships, my family, and dictates how I go about each and every day. This reality is shared with millions of people living with endo around Australia and the world. We believe this can change. The Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute is more than an exceptional research institute; it is hope. Hope for those living with endometriosis now and in the future, that they will be able to live full, happy and healthy lives."
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs highlighted the transformative nature of the contribution and its significant societal impact.
"I would like to thank the Ainsworth family for their generosity and the positive societal impact it will enable. The University and its partners are incredibly honoured to be at the forefront of this groundbreaking initiative together with the Ainsworth family," Prof. Brungs said.
"The Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute represents an historic moment in women's health. This unprecedented collaboration will not only form the future of endometriosis research but also accelerate our ability to provide real, tangible solutions that quite literally change the lives of each of the hundreds of millions of people globally impacted by this condition."
Game-changing impact on endometriosis
Despite the widespread prevalence of the disease, current research remains underfunded and underdeveloped, leaving millions of people without adequate care. Furthermore, research is poorly integrated with clinical practice right now. A diagnosis which brings a sense of relief is swiftly followed by uncertainty as treatment options are limited and not well understood.
Professor Jason Abbott is a clinician and researcher at UNSW who has dedicated his career to researching and advocating for improving diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. He will be the Clinical Director at AERI and said the funding is a game-changer.
"Having cared for those with endometriosis for three decades it is clear to me that we must go beyond the surgery and current medical treatments to understand the disease processes," Prof. Abbott said.
"AERI is the most significant commitment to endometriosis research that I have ever seen. The donation from the Ainsworth family provides surety to endometriosis researchers, will drive program-driven scientific discoveries and pave the way for generational change for anyone who has, or knows someone with endometriosis."
Professor Caroline Ford, Gynaecological Cancer Research Group lead at UNSW and the Scientific Director at AERI, pointed to the critical need for a strong evidence base to support medical decisions, acknowledging that the lack of investment in research has long been a barrier.
"The aim of AERI is to enable a precision medicine approach to endometriosis detection, treatment and management. Each person's endometriosis is unique and for the best results, treatment needs to be personalised. We have seen how effective this approach can be in cancer treatment and will be applying many of the successful strategies here, such as the power of genomics and targeted treatment," Prof. Ford said.
"In order for doctors to deliver precision medicine they need a solid evidence base to support their decisions. This has been a challenge due to a lack of investment in research. This substantial investment will allow researchers for the first time to build a solid understanding of endometriosis biology and pathogenesis that will lead to improved detection, management and treatment."
Prioritising endometriosis awareness
The institute has drawn international praise with Professor Stacey Missmer, President of the World Endometriosis Society, highlighting the nation's commitment to tackling endometriosis through groundbreaking research and advocacy initiatives.
"Australia once again leads the globe as a role model for prioritising endometriosis awareness, knowledge, and patient-centred advocacy," Prof. Missmer said.
"Establishment of the Endometriosis Research Institute with this dedicated funding will energise and rapidly leap-forward paradigm shifting discoveries."
For Eimear McHugh, who was first diagnosed with endometriosis in 2016 more than a decade after experiencing her first symptoms as a teenager, a dedicated research institute will lead to improved quality of care, and ultimately, empowerment and validation for those living with the condition.
"My biggest concern in the lead up to my surgery was not 'how will my body heal after this surgery' or 'how much pain will I have', but rather 'what if there is nothing wrong and I have wasted everybody's time.' I now realise that this is a common fear among presenting patients, be it in a surgical setting, an outpatient's appointment or simply when seeking empathy from a loved one," McHugh said.
"Seeing skilled healthcare professionals, academics and researchers dedicating their careers to this disease gives almost an assurance that endometriosis is a credible illness, and we are worthy of such developments. AERI will ultimately move from awareness to action about endometriosis and give it the recognition that many people fail to get on their journey to diagnosis."
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Original text here: https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2025/05/Landmark-donation-powers-world-first-endometriosis-research-institute-at-UNSW
Boston University School of Public Health: Letter to Our Graduates
BOSTON, Massachusetts, May 20 -- Boston University School of Public Health issued the following news:
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A Letter to Our Graduates
In a note to the class of 2025, Dean Ad Interim Michael Stein celebrates new graduates' accomplishments and discusses the exciting and challenging times that lie ahead in the next chapter of their careers.
By Michael Stein
Dear graduates, the Class of 2025:
For this entire weekend, we celebrate you, our graduating students, for all the hard work you have done, and we look forward with excitement to all that you will do in the years ahead. Yesterday, you entered
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, May 20 -- Boston University School of Public Health issued the following news:
* * *
A Letter to Our Graduates
In a note to the class of 2025, Dean Ad Interim Michael Stein celebrates new graduates' accomplishments and discusses the exciting and challenging times that lie ahead in the next chapter of their careers.
By Michael Stein
Dear graduates, the Class of 2025:
For this entire weekend, we celebrate you, our graduating students, for all the hard work you have done, and we look forward with excitement to all that you will do in the years ahead. Yesterday, you enteredthe Boston University Track and Tennis Center as students and, with the simple additions of a cap and gown and a few magic words, left as BU alumni. This is the culmination of all you've been working towards and waiting for. We rejoice loudly in your achievement, in your record of success.
You are departing SPH with convincing knowledge of a new language: a brew of quantitative methods, of health systems, law and policy, of leadership and management, of population health. You will also have a new standard to judge yourself by, a new two- or three-lettered professional degree in hand, and a new role within a wider community.
That role comes with your hard-earned understanding that no matter where you are--be it Boise, Botswana, or Boston--you will have the skills to protect our communities. You will not throw up your hands, even if others do. You will save lives. You will be just and inclusive. You have learned that the health of others is now your responsibility.
Public health is an ethos. At SPH you have taken on the spirit of collectivity and interdependence. You have learned what it means to be the protectors of societal health, of the public's health, of our common home.
You will stop at times to remind yourself of why you are doing what you are doing. You will remember that your job is to make the world a better place. I used to think this was everyone's job; I've come to believe this isn't true of all careers. But it is true of people in public health. Your job is to create the conditions for health so that people can live better, fuller, more dignified lives. You are among the few who actually know how to do this; this is what you've learned over these last years with us. You know that creating health is difficult. In this era of unprecedented challenges, you have acknowledged that "better health for all" should not only be a lofty catch phrase, but an extension of citizenship.
You have demonstrated your commitment to this goal during your time in the program and I am certain that you will distinguish yourselves as leaders of our field in the years to come. I have no doubt that your work in public health will be long and varied. It will include mystery, adventure, fear, courage, discovery, and--dare I say it--fun.
This mix is exactly what we wish for you, as you take your next steps.
We are so proud of you. We believe you will find your way to jobs that are of consequence and of personal value, and you will always be part of our school community. We cannot wait to see what you do next.
Once again, congratulations.
With warmth, excitement, and happiness,
Michael
Dean Ad Interim
Boston University School of Public Health
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Original text here: https://www.bu.edu/sph/news/articles/2025/a-letter-to-our-graduates/
