MavWire 2015 Archive » MavWire — Monday, April 27, 2015

Dr. Weidong Zhou

Nano-project seeks to uncover new materials, processes

Weidong Zhou, electrical engineering professor, will use a National Science Foundation grant to discover as-yet-unknown materials that will provide better imaging, compute faster, or make communications more secure. 

Dr. Zhou has been awarded a $120,000 National Science Foundation grant to develop manmade nanostructured photonic materials to accomplish those stated goals and eventually help in the nano-manufacturing process.

The work will help to enhance the emerging U.S. nano-manufacturing industry for the production of 3-D electronics, 3-D optical metamaterials, tissue engineering, and energy conversion and storage.

Read more about Zhou's metamaterials project.

Entrepreneurial meeting place to advance research ideas

UT Arlington has launched the StartUp Lounge, a meeting place where ideas begin the journey toward becoming inventions, products, or processes.

The open access meeting space serves as a location where researchers can meet to share or advance ideas. The grand opening is at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, in the Campus Center, the one-story building between the Nanotech and Architecture buildings.

The StartUp Lounge is a collaborative effort among the Shimadzu Institute for Research Technologies, the College of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Science, and TechFW through TechFW@UTA.

For more details, contact Joe Barrera at 2-2156 or jabarrera@uta.edu.

New 'Inquiry' magazine explores genetics, space exploration, more

What can pythons, pigeons, and beetles tell us about what it means to be human? More than you might expect, according to a trio of biologists in the College of Science.

In the latest issue of Inquiry, UT Arlington’s research magazine, you can read about how researchers are using comparative genomics to better understand and explore the genetic mechanisms and evolutionary processes that make humans tick.

The spring 2015 issue also discusses new treatments for college-age students with mental illnesses; how UTA physicists are exploring the wonders of the universe from a variety of angles; and why political cartoons are key to free speech and cultural expression across the globe.

Vote early on campus for May elections

UT Arlington is an early voting site for the May 9 joint election. The polling site will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, April 28-Thursday, April 30, in the Maverick Activities Center.

To vote early on campus, you must be registered to vote in Tarrant County and must present an approved photo identification such as a Texas driver license or Texas election identification certificate, Texas concealed handgun license, or U.S. passport.

For more information on early voting, see votexas.org and Tarrant County elections.

Contact Student Congress at 2-0556 with any questions.

Part of Lot F6 reserved for early voters

Parking spaces in Lot F6, north of the Maverick Activities Center, will be reserved Tuesday-Thursday, April 28-30, for early voter parking.  

Parking options include permit spaces in the surrounding lots. Contact Parking and Transportation Services at parking@uta.edu or 2-3907. 

Purchase beverages directly from Pepsi

UT Arlington has an exclusive-rights contract with Pepsi that all soft drinks and bottled water purchased with University funds be Pepsi-branded products.

See a list of Pepsi beverages. Departments may purchase directly from Pepsi, but the minimum delivery order is 15 cases. 

To set up a department account with Pepsi, contact Julia Cornwell at cornwell@uta.edu or 2-3002.

Ambassadors take robots to campus groups

UTA Libraries is launching a new service to help faculty members and campus organizations use telepresence robots outside the library.

Robot Ambassadors—library staff members—will provide training and assistance before a scheduled event, troubleshoot technical issues, and usher the robot to and from the event. Robots may be checked out for three hours at a time.

To reserve a robot or find out more, contact the Robot Ambassadors at robots@uta.edu

Learn more about the library's robots.

Library offers digital recorders

Students can now borrow digital recorders for use in class or as part of a project.

Two Sony digital recorders can be checked out for four-hour periods. The devices are available at the technology lending station on the first floor of the Central Library. 

Other technology available for checkout includes laptops, calculators, drawing tablets, and telepresence robots.

Nedderman Society cookout President Emeritus Wendell Nedderman, left, tells tales at Friday's faculty-staff cookout in the Palo Duro Lounge of the E.H. Hereford University Center. Entertained listeners are, from left, Michael Kingan, vice president for development and alumni relations; Marcy Sanders, executive associate to the president; and Valerie Cavanagh, director of development. The Nedderman Society sponsors the meal to recognize faculty, staff, and retirees who contribute financially to UT Arlington. Learn more about the Nedderman Society giving options.

Summit Avenue closed for water line upgrade, road resurfacing

Summit Avenue from Greek Row Drive to Fourth Street will be closed beginning Tuesday, April 28, for approximately three weeks to allow the city of Arlington to upgrade water and sewer lines and resurface the street.

Arbor Oaks tenants will need to enter their parking lot from either Kerby Drive or Fourth Street.

Money Smart Week includes financial workshops, advice

Students and members of the Arlington community can receive personal financial advice and credit consultations from 30 volunteer financial service professionals during Money Smart Week, Tuesday-Friday, April 28-May 1. 

The College of Business and the Student Money Management Center sponsor the event for Financial Literacy Month.

Workshops are offered on student loan repayment, setting financial goals, money management, and credit. Volunteers from the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and other partners from the Financial Fitness Dallas-Fort Worth Coalition also will offer workshops.

Professional loan officers will offer personal credit report evaluations and recommendations for improvement. Attendees will receive a free copy of their credit report.

Friday deadline to register for annual Metro Golf Tournament

The 42nd annual Metro Golf Tournament tees off Monday, May 18, at Iron Horse Golf Course in North Richland Hills.

Hosted by Campus Recreation, the tournament is open to faculty and staff members of area colleges and universities along with UT Arlington alumni and friends.

Cost is $75 for faculty and staff. Each golfer will receive a $25 coupon for a return visit to Iron Horse, a tournament gift, a post-tournament lunch, and more.

Register by Friday, May 1, by contacting contact Chris Muller at cmuller@uta.edu or 2-3277.

In balance Javier Giribet-Vargas, broadcast junior, entertained faculty and staff members at the Nedderman Society cookout Friday. A rainy day caused the annual event to move to the Palo Duro Lounge in the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Faculty, associates honored at annual spring meeting May 5

President's and provost's awards are just a few of the accolades to be distributed at the Spring Meeting of the Faculty and Associates at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, in the Rio Grande Ballroom at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Awards will be announced for teaching, research, mentoring, advising, service learning, grants, and distance education, with remarks by President Vistasp Karbhari. The event is open to the public. A reception follows.

Speakers wanted for Focus on Faculty

UT Arlington Libraries is seeking five faculty members for the 2015-2016 Focus on Faculty lecture series.

Focus on Faculty spotlights the work and research of faculty members and provides a forum for them to share their research and achievements with students, faculty and staff, and the Arlington community.

Nominate yourself or a colleague by contacting Evelyn Barker at ebarker@uta.edu.

The lectures are held at noon on selected Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters. See videos of past lectures on YouTube.

Plan around IT maintenance schedules

The Office of Information Technology performs regularly scheduled maintenance on MyMav, OIT servers, and the campus network 2-7 a.m. every Sunday. Occasionally, additional maintenance may occur between 7 a.m.- noon. The system will be unavailable during those times.

Automated software updates are the second Tuesday of each month for Microsoft products and the fourth Tuesday of each month for supported software.

Visit OIT's software update page for more information about upcoming maintenance.

Monday, April 27

Guest Artist Lecture Internationally renowned artist Janine Antoni discusses her work. 7 p.m., Room 148, Fine Arts Building. Art and Art History.

Tuesday, April 28

Partnering with Your Boss Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

UTARI Seminar Kevin Schug, right, the Shimadzu Distinguished Professor of Analytical Chemistry and Shimadzu Science Advisor to the Vice President for Research, presents “New Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectroscopy Detector for Analysis of Volatile and Semivolatile Organic Compounds.” RSVP to ride shuttle. Lunch included. Free. Noon-1 p.m., boardroom, UTARI, 7300 Jack Newell Blvd. S. UT Arlington Research Institute.

Wednesday, April 29

Follett Discover Info, Training Sessions Follett Discover enables instructors to explore course materials including textbook offerings and streamline the book adoption process. Students benefit from streamlined access to course materials. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., E.H. Hereford University Center. UTA Bookstore.

Thursday, April 30

Time Management: Keys to Everyday Office Success Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Qualitative Research Networking Dorothy Kalanzi, visiting assistant professor of sociology and anthropology, discusses "HIV/AIDS Studies and Designs from Previous Research." Noon-1 p.m., Room 415, Central Library. Qualitative Research Networking.

Biology Colloquium David Pollock of the University of Colorado Denver, "Molecular Convergence, Adaptation, and Coevolution." Free. 4-5 p.m., Room 124, Life Science Building. Biology.

Mathematics Lecture David Eisenbud of the University of California, Berkeley and director of the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute presents “Counting From Infinity: A Non-Technical Account of a Mathematical and Personal Triumph.” Clips of the movie Counting from Infinity: Yitang Zhang and the Twin Prime Conjecture shown. Free. 5-6 p.m., Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Office of the Provost.

Friday, May 1

Materials Science and Engineering Seminar Anton Malko of UT Dallas presents "Quantum Phenomena to Applications in Energy Sustainability." 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Room 104, Engineering Research Building. Materials Science and Engineering.

Flying with SOFIA M.H. Tykoski, an eighth-grade science teacher in Wylie, tells about her flight on the SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory For Infared Astronomy. 5:30 p.m. reception, 6 p.m. lecture, Planetarium. Planetarium. 

Wednesday, May 6

Arlington Technology Association George Siemens, executive director of the Learning Innovation and Networked Knowledge (LINK) Research Lab, explores how education is changing due to massive open online courses (MOOCs), big data, digital networks, and the Internet. Light breakfast provided. RSVP. Free. 7-8 a.m., Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Arlington Technology Association.

Thursday, May 7

Social Work Colloquium Jeffrey Jenson is guest speaker at the Colloquium on Agency Collaboration and Community-Based Human Service Innovation. He will discuss the public health approach for preventing child and adolescent health and behavior problems and preventive interventions aimed at promoting positive youth development. Dr. Jenson is the Philip D. and Eleanor G. Winn Professor for Children and Youth at Risk at the University of Denver. Register online. 1-4 p.m., Room 107, Social Work Complex General Academic Building. Social Work.

Coming up

U.S. Manufacturing Symposium The symposium is a Walmart initiative to create affordable, flexible automated solutions to bring manufacturing back to the United States. See the schedule. Admission $35, $120 for exhibitors; 25 free passes for students. Wednesday, June 3, UTARI, Jack Newell Blvd. S., Fort Worth. UT Arlington Research Institute.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)

Monday, April 27

Faculty Violin Recital Martha Walvoord, right, associate professor of violin, performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Tuesday, April 28

String Chamber Ensembles Recital Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Thursday, April 30

UTA Choir Concert Tickets $9 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Friday, May 1

Baseball Mavericks vs. Arkansas-Little Rock. Tickets $5-7; $3 students. 6:30 p.m. Also, 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2; 1 p.m. Sunday, May 3. All at Clay Gould Ballpark. Athletics. 

Guest Bass Recital Nick Scales of West Texas A&M performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Saturday, May 2

Softball Mavericks vs. Texas State. Tickets $5-7; $3 students. 1 and 3 p.m. Also, noon Sunday, May 3. All at Allan Saxe Field. Athletics.

Monday, May 4

BFA Art Exhibit The work of 43 Bachelor of Fine Arts candidates includes painting, drawing, sculpture, glass, printmaking, film/video, photography, digital imaging, and visual communication. Hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Through Saturday, May 16. The Gallery at UTA.

Friday, May 8

Baseball Mavericks vs. Appalachian State. Tickets $5-7; $3 students. 6:30 p.m. Also, 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9; 1 p.m. Sunday, May 10. All at Clay Gould Ballpark. Athletics.         

UTA Dance Ensemble Recital Creative Expressions. $5 with student ID, $7 general admission. 8 p.m., Mainstage Theatre. Also, Saturday-Sunday, May 9-10. Theatre Arts Department.

Coming up

Commencement The Class of 2015 graduates. Tickets required. Thursday, May 14, 7 p.m., College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Friday, May 15; 11 a.m., School of Urban and Public Affairs/School of Social Work/University College/School of Architecture; 3 p.m., College of Science; 7 p.m., College of Liberal Arts. Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m., College of Business; 3 p.m., College of Engineering; 7 p.m., College of Education. All at College Park Center. Commencement. 

Ongoing

MavsArt The semi-annual UTA community art show features 67 works by 25 artists who are UTA students, faculty, and staff. Through May 15. UT Arlington Libraries, MavsArt.

Juneteenth in Texas: 150 Years of Freedom More than 60 photographs explore issues of Texas African-Americans from Emancipation to the Civil Rights era. Hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Through Aug. 9. Sixth floor, Central Library. Center for Greater Southwestern Studies.

Special Collections: !Viva Mexico! A Comic Book History of Mexico A rare look inside the rise of comic books in 20th century Mexico, their literary, cultural, and entertainment value, and influence by the Mexican government. Hours 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, sixth floor, Central Library. Through Aug. 8. UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections.

Planetarium The spring schedule features Black Holes, Dynamic Earth, Pink Floyd, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, and Spacepark 360: Infinity. Planetarium.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)