1. NSB Examines Regulatory Burden on PIs
2. Electronic Lab Notebooks
3. Writer’s Workshop
4. Science Filmmaker’s Workshop Announced
5. Upcoming Research Grant Opportunities
6. Grant Writing Crash Course
7. Upcoming Classes in the Research Administration Training Series
8. Research News

1.            NSB Examines Regulatory Burden on PIs – Please comment

The National Science Board, the National Science Foundation’s policy and advisory board, has issued a request for information for principal investigators with Federally funded research activity to identify those Federal policies and institutional requirements that increase the investigator’s administrative workload. The request for information, published in the Federal Register on March 29, 2013 (78FR19329) and available on the NSB website requires comments no later than May 24, 2013.  Please go to the website and comment. To read more, click here.

2.           Electronic Lab Notebooks

The market for ELNs has changed drastically and for the better. They are more versatile and can address more than the bio/chem tests used in pharmacy – like engineering. They can be cloud-based and tablet/smartphone compliant. A number of vendors and researchers on this campus have contacted Daureen Nesdill about these new ELNs as a result of a library guide that was developed.

In May, three of the vendors (IrisNote, iLabber and eCat) will be demonstrating their products via webinar. If you would like to attend one or all the presentations, please let Daureen Nesdill know. The room seats 45, so if you bring additional folks let her know. A 1.5 hour time frame has been scheduled for each session just in case they need extra time.

IrisNote:
Monday, May 6, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.,1170 Marriott Library

iLabber:
Wednesday, May 15, 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.,1170 Marriott Library

eCat:
Thursday, May 23, 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m., 1170 Marriott Library

3.             Writer’s Workshop

Women in Medicine & Science and the Center for Clinical & Translational science presents the Writer’s Workshop. They are providing a dedicated space for writing. You can write in peace or bounce ideas off of peers. There’s no need to sign up beforehand; just stop by when you can.

When: Friday, April 26 – May 31, 2 – 4 p.m.

Where: CCTS Conference Room-Garden level, Eccles Health Sciences Library

For questions, please email or call Gina Bacon, 801-587-8559

4.             Science Filmmaker’s Workshop Announced

The Center for Science and Mathematics Education is pleased to announce the Filmmaking Workshop. This intensive workshop provides effective tools and training for University of Utah faculty, staff and students who wish to use the medium of film to disseminate scientific and/or mathematic information. For more information, click here.

5.             Upcoming Research Grant Opportunities

CDMRP Research Funding for 2013
The Fiscal Year 2013 Defense Appropriations Act provides research funding for the peer reviewed programs managed by the Department of Defense office of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. This is a pre-announcement from the following programs:

Autism Research Program
Bone Marrow Failure Research Program
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program
Lung Cancer Research Program
Multiple Sclerosis Research Program
Ovarian Cancer Research Program
Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program

Descriptions of each of the funding opportunities, eligibility, key mechanism elements and funding can be found in the respective program pre-announcement.  FY13 pre-announcements can be found in the CDMRP home page.

Limited Submission Opportunities
Scalable Nanomanufacturing
Internal Submission Deadline: May 3, 2013

Brain Research Foundation
Internal Submission Deadline: June 1, 2103

William T. Grant Scholars
Internal Submission Deadline: June 1, 2013

Edward J. Mallinckrodt Jr. Foundation
Internal Submission Deadline: June 1, 2013

Diabetes Research Career Initiator Award and Diabetes Research Accelerator Award
Internal Submission Deadline: June 1, 2013

Searle Scholars
Internal Submission Deadline: June 1, 2013

External Funding Opportunities
Alfred P. Sloan: Research Fellows
Submission Deadline: August 15, 2013

National Science Foundation: Faculty Early Career Development Program
Submission Deadline: August 15, 2013

The Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise
Submission Deadline: August 15, 2013

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy: The Fund for Discovery

Dana Foundation: Clinical Neuroscience Research
Dana Foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis.

NASA asks Universities for early stage innovation tech proposals.  To view the NASA press release click here.

6.             Grant Writing Crash Course

October 11-13, 2013
The Lodges at Deer Valley Resort
Park City, Utah

Open to all faculty members and postdoctoral scholars

Experienced University of Utah faculty will provide individualized instruction in the mechanics of effective grant proposal writing, how to sell your idea to a sponsoring agency, how to develop specific aims and justifications and the political and social aspects of “granstmanship.” Participants will work on their grant proposals at the GWCC, receiving real-time feedback to strengthen their proposals and enhance their likelihood of funding. A high faculty-to-trainee ratio is provided and attendance is highly limited. If you do not have seed or personal funding available for the registration fee, we encourage you to discuss other options with your department chair or research dean. Registration fees include two nights lodging at the Deer Valley Resort, use of recreational facilities and most meals. A spouse/partner and up to two children are welcome to accompany the participant (additional charge if more than two children attend). To register, or for more information, please contact Tony Onofrietti, Director of Research Education at 801-585-3492.

The Grant Writing Crash Course is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research and led by Dr. Gary C. Schoenwolf, distinguished professor of neurobiology and anatomy

7.             Upcoming Classes in the Research Administration Training Series

For questions concerning RATS, please contact Tony Onofrietti (801-585-3492) or visit the RATS website

Best Practice Roundtable: Strategies for Supporting Junior Faculty
Monday, April 29, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
HSEB, Rm. 4100A

Roles of the Scientist in Society
Tuesday, April 20, 2 – 4 p.m.
HSEB, Rm. 1750

Effective Negotiation in Research: The Art of Advocacy and Agreement
Wednesday, May 1, 2 – 4 p.m.
HSEB, Rm. 1750

8.             Research News

For the latest news on research, go to news

Scheduling the event in the evening begins a new tradition intended to make the ceremonies more readily accessible to students and their families. Commencement is free and open to the public; no tickets are required.

“Commencement is the capstone of our students’ experience at the U,” says David W. Pershing, University of Utah president, “We want the ceremony to reflect that and for the celebration to be among the highlights they will remember as they begin the next stage of their lives.”

By the numbers

The class of 2013 is comprised of 8,007 graduates from 83 countries, 50 U.S. states and 27 Utah counties. A total of 8,469 degrees will be conferred, more than the number of students as some receive more than one degree. There will be awarded 5,432 bachelor’s degrees; 2,126 master’s degrees; 632 doctorates; 147 juris doctorates; 75 doctors of medicine; and 57 doctors of pharmacy.

Of this year’s graduates, 4,324 are men and 3,683 are women. The average age of bachelor’s degree recipients is 27; the youngest undergraduate is 18, the oldest is 72. The average grade point average for this group is 3.3. The average age of students receiving graduate degrees is 32. The youngest student receiving a graduate degree is 21 and the oldest is 70. The largest number of undergraduate degrees awarded were in the following 12 departments, respectively: psychology, exercise and sports science, mass communication, nursing, human development and family studies, economics, sociology, accounting, health promotion and education, biology, mechanical engineering and English.

Speakers

University of Utah President David W. Pershing will officiate at the commencement.

The featured speaker is author Elizabeth “Liz” Murray, whose inspiring life story has been told on film – “From Homeless to Harvard,” and in her book – “Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard.”

There are two student speakers. Mauricio Caceres, who grew up in Peru, is graduating magna cum laude in economics and mathematics and will pursue a graduate degree at Columbia University.  Lauryn Roth is graduating in biology and cum laude in environment and sustainability studies and will enter the University of Utah School of Medicine in the fall

Click here for full details.

Photo credit: Lawrence Boye

You are invited to attend a Town Hall meeting hosted by Facilities Management regarding phase 1 of the Utility Infrastructure Upgrade Project.

Monday, May 13 at 10 a.m.
Marriott Library, Room 1150

Representatives from Facilities Management, Layton Construction and Spectrum Engineers will share their timeline and process for the Infrastructure project. This large scale project will update and improve the electrical and high temperature water system for the entire campus over the course of approximately 24 months and will require construction projects throughout campus and scheduled electrical outages to many of the buildings. Presentations will be followed by a question and answer session.

• Michael G. Perez, Associate Vice President for Facilities Management
• Scott Jefferson, Project Manager for Facilities Management
• Porter McDonough, Project Manager for Layton Construction
• Dave Wesemann, President at Spectrum Engineers

For more information on this project visit our Current Projects page or Construction Impacts map. If you are unable to attend the event but would like to ask questions, please email Shireen Ghorbani.

The nearly 190,000 square foot center would not have been possible without financial support from a number of sources, including the generous lead naming gift from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation along with major gifts from Kem and Carolyn Gardner and the University Federal Credit Union. Support for the Center also comes from a student-approved bond, University of Utah administration and non-student user fees. The state-of-the-art recreation facility will be the campus hub for fitness training, intramural sports and outdoor recreation. The Center will serve as the premier location for students, faculty and staff to gather and develop lifelong healthy habits.

Located just west of the George S. Eccles 2002 Legacy Bridge and adjacent to the Fort Douglas TRAX stop, the Center will connect student life with academic life and create a more engaged campus community. The Center will serve as more than just a recreation space, it will include a café and numerous study nooks, as well as three pools, five sport courts, 15,000 square feet of cardiovascular and weight lifting space, four fitness studios, a wellness studio and climbing walls.

Click here for more information.

People who participate in community gardening have a significantly lower body mass index—as well as lower odds of being overweight or obese—than do their non-gardening neighbors. Researchers at the University of Utah reported these and other findings in the American Journal of Public Health published online today.

“It has been shown previously that community gardens can provide a variety of social and nutritional benefits to neighborhoods,” says Cathleen Zick, lead author of the study and professor of family and consumer studies at the University of Utah. “But until now, we did not have data to show a measurable health benefit for those who use the gardens.”

Results showed that women community gardeners had an average BMI 1.84 lower than their neighbors, which translates to an 11 pound weight difference for a woman 5 feet 5 inches tall. For men, the BMI was lower by 2.36 for gardeners—a difference of 16 pounds for a man 5 feet 10 inches tall—compared to the neighborhood cohort. Gardeners were also less likely to be overweight or obese; 46 percent less for women gardeners, and 62 percent less for men gardeners.

Click here for more information.

The University of Utah offers a wide variety of summer camps for children with fun and educational activities. Below are just some of the options.

Kidstar Summer Camp for Children with Autism
Peer mentors needed. Peer mentors need to be able to navigate complex social situations and will receive support from staff members. It’s a fun and exciting opportunity to learn more about Autism while having fun and making new friends.

U of U Youth Theatre
Youth Theatre offers a range of experiential theatre arts programs and classes designed to develop creativity, critical thinking skills and promote positive youth development.

The School of Computing
The GREAT (Graphics and Robotics Exploration with Amazing Technology) summer camps are aimed at students who want to unleash their creativity while learning about computer graphics, robotics and programming by making games, animations and robots. These week-long day camps are held in June and July and meet at the University of Utah campus.

U of U Summer Piano Camp
Work with University of Utah faculty and professional artists in master classes, participate in exciting electives and receive personal instruction in this comprehensive music camp for experienced and aspiring pianists

Summer Chamber Workshop
Over five highly focused days, serious string and piano pre-college and college students in the U of U’s Summer Chamber Music Workshop will explore the fine art of chamber music playing under the expert guidance of School of Music string and piano faculty members, as well as dynamic guest artists.

Summer Music Camps through the Preparatory Division
Come travel the world with us! Sing, dance and play and explore the music of countries around the world. Children will make an instrument to take home and there will be a music share for the whole family on the final day of camp.

Red Butte Garden
Weeklong camps combine the excitement of the natural world with science experiments, art projects, garden exploration and the simple joy of the outdoors.

Continuing Education Club U
Juice up your imagination with Club U camps that mix outdoor activities, science and water with art, music, animals and more for the most unbelievably fun adventures possible!

President Pershing walking his dog during the walk-a-thon

University student mentors led 900 kids from Title 1 elementary schools in activities and projects across campus

Prep-rally for Project Youth

Drumming activity with Project Youth

Faculty, students and staff donated over $7,000 for the Hartland Community Center during the walk-a-thon

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Ric Harnsberger, M.D

Dale Clayton, Ph.D

Faculty at the University of Utah make hundreds of inventions every year – everything from chemical processes and surgical devices to wheelchairs – but only the best researchers and inventors win the annual Distinguished Innovation and Impact Award. The award, now in its third year, is presented to exceptional faculty who have applied their research to serve the public through innovative new products.

Winners of this year’s Distinguished Innovation and Impact Award are Dale Clayton, Ph.D., a professor of biology, and Ric Harnsberger, M.D., a professor of radiology. Their contributions are vastly different – Clayton invented a device for killing head lice, while Harnsberger is revolutionizing the world of medical publishing. But what they have in common is a passion to help others by applying and commercializing their research.

Click here for more information.

Show Results

Red Butte Garden Annual Spring Plant Sale

After the plant sale, Red Butte Garden donates many un-purchased plants to local non-profit organizations as well as to University of Utah campus programs. Some of the organizations that receive our vegetables and herbs use them to support their own mission of increasing healthy food access and education to people in need, such as New Roots/IRC, Real Food Rising and the community gardens at the University of Utah. Some organizations use gardening as a part of their rehabilitation programs, such as Cancer Wellness House, Neighborhood House and the Sharing Place. We also donate plants and trees to the University of Utah Grounds Department.

Hope, Healing & Health: Global Community Engagement for Health Diplomacy
May 7 – May 9

Tuesday, May 7, KUTV anchorwoman Mary Nickles will kick-off the College of Social Work’s Hope, Healing & Health: Global Community Engagement for Health Diplomacy conference with a free keynote presentation on her inspiring journey through breast cancer. The following two days will bring together experts from around the world to discuss a number of facets of cancer, health diplomacy, foreign policy, education, research, treatment and palliative care. To register or for more information about this affordable opportunity, click here or call 801-581-4239.

The Department of Theatre Announces a “Season to Love” for 2013-2014

The upcoming season explores the theme of love in its various incarnations and includes the musicals “Once Upon a Mattress,” “Avenue Q” and “She Loves Me” as well as the seminal dramas and comedies ”Two Gentlemen of Verona” and “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” by Tom Stoppard, “Metamorphoses” by Mary Zimmerman, “In the Next Room” by Sarah Ruhl and “Love Alone” by Deborah Salem Smith. From romantic desire to familial affection, from star-crossed to brotherly love, each of our upcoming offerings explores the complexity of human relationships and the bonds we share. Season Flexpasses are on sale now at the Kingsbury Hall box office. For more information click here or call 801-581-7100.