University of Texas Arlington

Water worries

CultureMap Dallas reported that scientists at The University of Texas at Arlington, led by associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry Kevin Schug, recently published a new study of water wells near the Barnett Shale that finds elevated levels of pollution around natural gas extraction sites. The paper, which was also featured on the websites Green Right Now and Marcellus Drilling News, examined 100 water wells in or near the Barnett Shale and focused on the presence of metals such as barium, arsenic, selenium and strontium.

Talking of peace

UT Arlington associate professor of political science Brent Sasley was quoted in a piece in The Times of Israel about the resumption of peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians. He said: “Putting everything on the table means that both sides get what they want. It also allows them to connect different issues together, making trade-offs where necessary and making it easier to see the final completed puzzle.”

Fine arts professor honored

Mary Vaccaro, professor of art and art history at UT Arlington, has been appointed to serve on the national screening committee for U.S. Student Fulbright applications to Italy, the Dallas Business Journals’ Executive People on the Move column reported. An expert on Italian Renaissance art, Vaccaro is one of just three members representing different disciplines and fields, who will serve on the committee.