From martian rocks to the human brain, the opportunities for research and innovation at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ have run the gamut this July.
As NASA’s Perseverance Rover launched into space on July 30, many 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ scientists watched with anticipation, as discoveries from the Mars mission could have implications for their own work on campus. And just as 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ unveiled a new brain research center, one professor led an extensive review of Alzheimer’s drug treatments, showing signs of hope for the neurodegenerative disease.
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ also responded to nationwide racial unrest and calls for social justice by creating an Anti-Black Racism Task Force to address myriad issues surrounding racial equity on campus. To cap off the month, the campus welcomed a new university president, who will begin the role right as the fall 2020 semester kicks off in a few weeks.
These stories and more make up the latest edition of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Newsmakers.
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Welcomes New President
On July 23, the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents appointed Keith Whitfield — previously the provost, senior vice president of academic affairs, and professor of psychology at Wayne State University in Michigan — as 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s new president. Whitfield will begin Aug. 24 and becomes 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ's 11th permanent president. An experienced university administrator and prolific scholar, Whitfield is a psychologist with expertise on the social, psychological, and cultural factors related to cognition and healthy aging.
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Creative Solutions Arise During the Pandemic
COVID-19 has done more than alter everyone’s way of life — amid pandemic worries and cabin fever, social distancing has catalyzed new and innovative solutions that may improve work and personal life to even greater efficiencies.
- In a interview, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s MBA Programs Director Anjala Krishen identifies the opportunities available to business schools during COVID-19.
- Director of Hospitality and Esports Laboratory Robert Rippee tells the that the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of new technologies in resorts.
- Lee Business School is hosting a $1M competition to encourage safety innovations during the pandemic. Leith Martin, executive director of the Troesh Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, explains to the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s involvement in the competition.
- Christine Bergman, a professor in the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, explains to the how important and revolutionary the concept of ghost kitchens is – and will be – during and after the pandemic.
Space Talk with 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Experts
A comet visible from Earth once every 6,000 years. An ongoing mission to send NASA’s Mars rover to the red planet. From commentating on the best stargazing locations to becoming the select few to see Martian rocks, our 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ experts have it all:
: Health physics professor Francis Cucinotta, and geoscience professors Libby Hausrath, Arya Udry, and Chris Adcock explain how Martian rocks from the rover mission may help advance their research.
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ geoscientist Libby Hausrath explains her role as one of 10 scientists tapped by NASA to help select the samples that will be returned to Earth from the Mars 2020 Mission.
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51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ geoscientist Arya Udry weighs in on the Mars 2020 mission:
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51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ astrophysicist Jason Steffen and physics professor Michael Pravica weigh in on NEOWISE:
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51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Moves COVID-19 Testing Operation
As the summer heat intensifies, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ has relocated its on-campus COVID-19 testing operations from curbside to inside the Thomas and Mack Center. The Thomas & Mack Strip View Pavilion site, which is being operated by Clark County, UMC and the Nevada National Guard in partnership with 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and University Police Services, replaces the drive-thru site that had been operating in the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Tropicana parking garage since May 27. The new site will open Aug. 11.
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Groundbreaking Research in Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s has been an unsolved mystery for scientists since its discovery more than a century ago. However, in recent years, research professor Dr. Jeffrey Cummings from the School of Integrated Health Sciences has led groundbreaking research into what causes the disease – and a potential cure. He recently completed a five-year review of all Alzheimer’s drugs in the pipeline and comments frequently on new developments in the treatment of the disease.
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51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ to Implement Resources for Racial Equity
Over the past few months, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, like many other institutions around the country, has responded to calls for social and racial justice. This month, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ established the Anti-Black Racism Task Force to proactively address issues of racism and hate, to promote inclusion and understanding, and to support students, faculty, and staff of color. Meanwhile, faculty experts have been called upon to offer their expertise on racism and the current Black Lives Matter movement.
Javon Johnson, director of African American & African Diaspora Studies at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, weighs in on 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s new task force:
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Tyler D. Parry, assistant professor of African American and African Diaspora Studies, talks about racism, police brutality, and the Black Lives Matter movement:
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COVID-19 Expert Roundup
The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to make headlines throughout the summer, and with it comes new questions on how to stay safe via social distancing. 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ experts from multiple areas of campus provide more tips and personal advice on how they respond to the pandemic, professionally and personally:
- Epidemiologist and public health professor Brian Labus speaks on myriad COVID-19 issues:
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- interviews 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ faculty on what precautions they’ve been making at home and in professional settings.
- 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ biochemistry professor Ernesto Abel-Santos speaks with the about potentially hazardous materials used in hand sanitizers, and how to identify such ingredients.
- 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ economist Stephen Miller explains to that a second stimulus package may be needed to stimulate the economy.
- Marc Kahn, dean of the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ School of Medicine, hints that mother’s advice may come in handy during the pandemic in a .
- Professor of surgery Deborah Kuhls and Dean of the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ School of Medicine Marc Kahn, speaks with and about the importance of wearing a mask, even in extreme heat.
- Kinesiology professor John Mercer explains to the how to exercise safely in the outdoor heat.
General Expert Roundup
- 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ climate scientist Matthew Lachniet discusses his new study that links the Arctic and tropical Pacific warming to ancient climate records with the , and .
- Nancy Lough, Title IX, and Gender Equity researcher, offers her insight to about strong television ratings for women’s soccer and basketball.
- The quotes 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ addictions expert Gloria Wong-Padoongpatt about rising fentanyl deaths.
- Michael Kagan, director of the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Immigration Clinic, speaks to and about the future of the DACA program.
- Emma Frances Bloomfield, assistant professor in communication studies, speaks to about how to convince older people to be less wasteful.
- Tax law professor Francine Lipman is quoted in about the 1031 exchange.
