UGA Columns August 25, 2014

Page 1

Periodicals Postage is PAID in Athens, Georgia

News Service University of Georgia 286 Oconee Street Suite 200 North Athens, GA 30602-1999

I

UGA’s public service and outreach programs serve citizens throughout state DISCOVER UGA

3

7 8 5

®

The University of Georgia Exhibit on Vince Dooley’s career to open at special collections libraries

Vol. 42 No. 5

August 25, 2014

www.columns.uga.edu

UGA GUIDE

4&5

$1.3M NIH grant to develop new science education software By Kat Yancey Gilmore kygilmor@uga.edu

Jonathan Lee

As part of Freshman Welcome, first-year students gathered in Sanford Stadium to learn UGA football traditions and chants. Administrators and upperclassmen also offered advice to the new students. A multimedia piece of Freshman Welcome is at http://tinyurl.com/nxgbxvp.

Good cheer

UGA researchers are developing new science education software to help elementary school students learn about how the body functions and how to make better dietary and exercise choices. The five-year, $1.3 million grant is part of the Science Education Partnership Award program funded by the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs at the National Institutes of Health. Dubbed “SYSTEMS” for Stimulating Young Scientists to Engage, Motivate and Synthesize, the project will cover how different systems of the body function independently of each other as well as together as one large system and the effects of obesity and diabetes on these systems.

“Students will learn about six systems of the body: the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal, endocrine and digestive systems,” said Georgia Hodges, an assistant research scientist in the College of Education and the grant’s principal investigator. “We will present these systems in an inquiry and problem-solving framework that will allow fifth-graders to learn about the body and also how obesity and diabetes can adversely affect how these systems work.” The SYSTEMS research team includes Allan Cohen, director of the Georgia Center for Assessment and the Aderhold Professor of Research Methodology in the ­ C ollege of Education, and four faculty members from the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine: Tom R ­ obertson, an

See GRANT on page 8

UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography

First-year students take the field, then classes Skidaway faculty to study Freshman Welcome is an oppor- cheering at UGA athletic events By Aaron Hale aahale@uga.edu tunity for students to get ready for was essential to the Bulldogs team offshore sand resources UGA’s latest crop of first-year students began their collegiate careers Aug. 18. But the evening before classes started, thousands of students from the Class of 2018 met at Sanford Stadium to take a giant group photo between the hedges. The first-year students—most clad in UGA red and black—took the field at the annual Freshman Welcome to form a 70-by-50-yard version of the university’s “power G” logo on the football field. This is the fourth year the university has invited first-year students to gather on the field as part of the Freshman Welcome event, which was organized by the Student Government Association and the Office of Alumni Relations. SGA President Drew Jacoby emceed the event.

the upcoming football season, but it also gives administrators and upperclassmen a forum to offer some sound advice to the new students. During the event, students were introduced to UGA football traditions and chants led by Brook Whitmire, Sanford Stadium’s public address announcer, and the Redcoat Marching Band. UGA President Jere W. Morehead congratulated first-year students as the class with the best academic credentials in the university’s history. “The next four years are going to be a great four years for all of you,” he said. “Please take advantage of all the university has to offer you.” UGA Athletic Director Greg McGarity and head football coach Mark Richt told students that their

success. Mark Rush, Student Alumni Council president, encouraged students also to take part in UGA’s nonathletic traditions as well and to find other ways to get involved in university life. Rush said he was a first-year student the first year the Freshman Welcome allowed students onto the field for the photo. He said it was a great way to start his UGA career. His advice to students: “Never let any opportunity go by because you never know where it will take you.” After the event, students gathered at Reed Plaza for food and music. The university also hosted a Transfer Student Welcome event Aug. 17 at the Tate Student Center.

office of the vice president for research

‘Exceptional synergy’: Infectious disease faculty’s studies enhance university’s research enterprise By James Hataway jhataway@uga.edu

Building upon UGA’s strengths in cutting-edge infectious disease research, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents provided funding in 2007 to hire seven new faculty members working at the forefront of infectious disease prevention and control. Since arriving at UGA, these researchers have garnered more than $15 million in new grant ­funding,

primarily from federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, for research addressing major global health challenges. “The board of regents investment in infectious disease research provided a unique opportunity to recruit strategically to bridge existing strengths in veterinary medicine, ecology, tropical and emerging diseases, and vaccine development as well as the rapidly expanding the new College of Public Health at UGA,” said

Duncan Krause, director of UGA’s Faculty of Infectious Diseases and a professor of microbiology in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. “The resulting synergy has been exceptional.” Their studies promise to continue to enhance the research enterprise at UGA and foster new partnerships, both within the UGA Faculty of Infectious Diseases, which brings together researchers across UGA colleges and schools,

See RESEARCHERS on page 8

By Michael Sullivan

mike.sullivan@skio.uga.edu

Severe beach erosion can be a significant problem for coastal communities affected by hurricanes and tropical storms. To assist Georgia communities in future recovery efforts, the UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography entered into a cooperative agreement with the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to evaluate existing data on Georgia’s offshore sand resources and identify where more data are needed. This consolidated information will increase knowledge of Georgia’s offshore sand resources and

contribute to long-term coastal resilience planning. “Georgia’s sand resources are arguably the least well-known of those along the East Coast, and this project will provide critical data and insights to enhance coastal resilience,” said Clark Alexander, a professor with the UGA Skidaway Institute. “The work is being coordinated closely with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the state geologist to assure that our findings are disseminated rapidly and broadly.” Under the $200,000 agreement, UGA’s Skidaway Institute will gather, evaluate and analyze See SKIDAWAY on page 8

office of emergency preparedness, cits

FBI agents to speak about 9/11 during Preparedness Month By Aaron Hale

aahale@uga.edu

The Office of Emergency Preparedness will observe National Preparedness Month in September with events and expert speakers to remind the university community how to be ready if disaster strikes. “National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort to encourage Americans to take simple steps to be better prepared for emergencies whether it’s in their homes, businesses or schools,” said Noelle Broadnax, emergency operations coordinator in the Office of

Emergency Preparedness. National Preparedness Month is promoted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Office of Emergency Preparedness, which provides comprehensive emergency preparedness, homeland security programs and services to the university community, is hosting preparedness month events for a 10th year. This year, the office will bring to campus guest speakers who will share their personal experience from one of the nation’s biggest disasters. FBI agents Andrew and

See PREPAREDNESS on page 8


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.