University Communications » Internal Communications » MavWire » MavWire 01-14-2010

Making waves: Dr. Haiying Huang has developed an unpowered wireless ultrasound sensing system.

UT Arlington receives significant share of UT System commercialization grant

UT Arlington will share a $394,000 grant to commercialize technologies developed by University researchers. The award represents the fifth round of commercialization grants from The University of Texas System.

The award comes from a $2 million Texas Ignition Fund created by the UT System Board of Regents in 2007 to speed the commercialization of discoveries made at UT System campus laboratories and move them into the marketplace. Grants awarded in the latest round ranged from $44,000 to $50,000 at eight UT System institutions.

Haiying Huang, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering, developed a wireless sensor system that transmits ultrasonic waves using unpowered microwave components. The sensor could replace existing wired ultrasound sensors used in the aerospace industry, chemical plants, and manufacturing facilities for monitoring and inspection purposes. The grant will help move that technology into production.

See more about the UT System grant.

Top young scientist: Dr. Kevin Schug has received the Young Analytical Scientist award from Eli Lilly.

Biochemist wins prestigious Eli Lilly award

Kevin Schug, an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry in the College of Science, has been named the lone recipient of the 2010 Eli Lilly Young Analytical Scientist award. The national honor comes with an unrestricted $50,000, the opportunity to renew the grant for a second year and a lifetime opportunity to collaborate with the Eli Lilly pharmaceutical company.

There are no nominations for this highly selective award. The judges independently review available literature and select a pool of about a dozen candidates. The award recognizes a young researcher who is doing work of relevance to the pharmaceutical industry.

"I owe much of my success to the supportive academic and research environment here at UT Arlington, which includes a superb collection of faculty colleagues, administrators, and most importantly, students," Dr. Schug says. "I get to take the recognition, but without my students and their hard work, none of what I am being recognized for would have been possible."

Schug received the National Science Foundation Career Award for 2009 to 2014. This grant allows him to pursue fundamental development of techniques that can be used for studying interactions between molecules.

Read more about Dr. Schug and the award.

Dr. Maxwell Scarlett

University's first African-American grad featured speaker at MLK banquet

Maxwell Scarlett ('66 BS), the first African-American to graduate from UT Arlington, will be the keynote speaker at the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration "Sharing the Dream" Awards Banquet at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at the Bluebonnet Ballroom in the E.H. Hereford University Center. Dr. Scarlett is a physician in Lampasas.

Tickets for the banquet are $35 and can be purchased at utatickets.com.

Tickets also are available for "An Evening of Spoken Word Slam Poetry" Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Bluebonnet. Cost is $15.

MLK events continue through Monday, Jan. 18. See the entire MLK Celebration schedule.

Outstanding Mavericks Eight staff members will be honored Thursday night when they receive the 2009-10 Outstanding Employee Staff Awards. Two awards each will be given for administrative support; administrative and professional; professional, para-professional and technical; and service and maintenance. Recipients are, front row from left, Rita Thompson, Graduate Studies; Adria Villarreal, Counseling Services; and Sherilyn Sicking, Payroll Services. Back row from left are Paul Kelley, Facilities Management; Daniel Nguyen, Department of Management; Maryluz White, Police Department; Apinan Samermit, English Language Institute; and Harley Clines, Facilities Management.

Marimbas, pianos, bassoons all making music on campus

Free music offerings coming up include jazz, chamber music, a guest marimba concert by a nationally known composer and a celebration of Bassoon Week. The programs are at 7:30 p.m. in Irons Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Building.

• Guest Recital with Nathaniel Bartlett: The nationally recognized composer/performer presents a concert that combines a five-octave acoustic marimba with electronics, computer and an eight-channel cube of loudspeakers. Wednesday, Jan. 20.

• Jazz Recital: Assistant Professor Dan Cavanagh on the piano and Dave Hagedorn, artist in residence at St. Olaf College, on the vibraphone performing jazz music. Thursday, Jan. 21.

• Bassoon Week Faculty Recital: Assistant Professor Scott Pool performs jazz, rock and funk music. Monday, Feb. 1.

• Bassoon Week Community Recital: Students and musicians from the area perform. Tuesday, Feb. 2.

• Bassoon Week Student Recital: Students Cristina Meza and Amber Wyman perform. Wednesday, Feb. 3.

• Bassoon Week Guest Trio Recital: The Trio Arizona, featuring Will Dietz on bassoon and Paula Fan and Neil Tatman on oboe, will perform. Friday, Feb. 5

Project Success featured on local cable program

Cheri Butler, associate director of Career Services, talks about the new Project Success on Time Warner Cable's Community Connection program, shown in Arlington.

The local segment will air on the CNN Headline News channel on Time Warner Cable only. Times vary, but the segment is scheduled for 3:55 and 5:55 p.m. today, Thursday, and Friday, Jan. 14-15, and Sunday and Monday, Jan. 17-18. It also is available on Video-On-Demand through Feb. 11.

Project Success is seeking donations of business clothing for students and graduates to wear for job interviews. Money is needed also for dry cleaning. Students earn the clothing by working 10 hours for Mission Arlington, which will house the Project Success closet.

To donate to Project Success, contact Butler at cherib@uta.edu.

W-2 forms available online

The 2009 W-2 forms are now available on UTDirect. Access and print your W-2 from the Web.

If you have not upgraded your UT EID security level, go to one of the following departments and show your driver's license or passport:

DEFINE Education, Accounting/Business Services, 219 W. Main, 2-2138; Employment and Staff Development, Continuing Education Building, 140 W. Mitchell, Room B200, 2-3461; Human Resources, Wetsel Building, 1225 W. Mitchell, Room 213, 2-5554; Payroll Services, Wetsel Building, 1225 W. Mitchell, Room 207, 2-5426.

If you do not claim your 2009 W-2 form on UTDirect, Payroll Services will print and mail a copy to you on Feb. 1. Contact Payroll Services at payroll@uta.edu for more information.

Staff Advisory Council on a mission for extra blankets

Got some extra blankets at home that you don't need anymore? Collection boxes have been provided by the Staff Advisory Council and will be located throughout the campus through Jan. 31. The blankets will be donated to Mission Arlington. See www.uta.edu/sac for a list of drop-off locations.

Saxon, Graves to speak on aerial photography book

Gerald Saxon and Jack W. Graves Jr., co-authors of Historic Texas from the Air, will speak at a meeting of the Friends of the UT Arlington Library at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, on the sixth floor of the Central Library.

Dr. Saxon is dean of the Library and author of several books, including Mapping and Empire: Soldier-Engineers on the Southwestern Frontier (2005) and Transitions: A Centennial History of The University of Texas at Arlington (1995). He also is an associate professor of history.

Graves is a local businessman and UT Arlington alumnus with a passion for flying, photography and history. His articles and photographs have been published in numerous professional and leisure publications.

They created the book along two former UT Arlington associates: David Buisseret, a retired Garrett Professor of history, and Richard Francaviglia, former director of the Center for Greater Southwestern Studies and the History of Cartography.

The Friends' meeting is open to the public at no charge. Copies of the book will be sold at the meeting, and the authors will be available for autographs. For questions or to RSVP, contact Betty Wood at 2‑7421 or bwood@uta.edu.

Free H1N1 flu vaccinations available at Health Services

The Health Services Center has free H1N1 flu vaccinations at the campus clinic, 605 S. West St. No appointment is needed. The immunization clinic hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. More information is available at www.uta.edu/flu.

MavWire returns next Thursday

In recognition of the holiday for the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., there will be no MavWire Monday, Jan. 18. MavWire returns Thursday, Jan. 21.

Wyl Parker Housing was an issue when Wyl Parker came to UT Arlington in February 1971. He and his wife, Anita, arrived before their furniture, so they spent the first couple of nights sleeping on cots provided by a secretary. The Illinois native-a descendent of Mayflower pilgrims and Tennessee Cherokee-began his 39-year stint on campus as assistant dean of student life. For now, Parker is assistant vice president of Management Services, overseeing University Housing and Dining Services. His next assignment is retirement. A reception is set for 2-4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, in the Palo Duro Lounge of the E.H. Hereford University Center. Q: How has the campus changed the most, in your area of responsibilities, since you started work here? A: At one time, we had 800 students living on campus, and the University owned 300 houses. Now we own about 20-something houses and have 4,500 students living in University housing. Once, you could come on campus in the afternoon, and there was no one here. Now, there are more people living on campus, and you see people on campus in the afternoon and evening. Q: What was the response to changing Brazos Hall into a coed residence hall in the 1970s? A: We didn't have time to do a study or anything. We just had too many women needing rooms. Brazos has three sections so we put them in one area and there were no negative responses from parents. What we then found out is coed housing creates many positive brother-sister relationships. Q: What do you say to people who still call the University a "commuter school"? A: Some people think if you don't house all students, you are a commuter school. We house about 15 percent, which is the same as UT Austin, percentage-wise. Q: What are some of your favorite memories of working at UT Arlington? A: It's a positive atmosphere. I've enjoyed the people I've worked with. I've had some great supervisors. The students here are more dedicated. I've enjoyed seeing the students and younger staff succeed.

Hatha Yoga: Levels I and II

Re-energize with relaxation techniques, gentle stretching and breathing exercises. Designed to promote better sleep, lessen tensions and improve stamina. Yoga sticky mat required. $80. 6 p.m., Wednesdays, Jan. 20-March 10, 8 sessions, Swift Center. Continuing Education, 2‑2581, www.uta.edu/ced.

Spring group exercise classes begin Tuesday

Group exercise classes begin Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the Maverick Activities Center and continue through May 5. See the schedule for details.

All classes are free during the first week, Jan. 19-25. Participants must have an activated ID and will only be granted access to class up to five minutes after the posted class time. Participation is limited to space and equipment availability.

For more information, contact Campus Recreation at 2-3277.

Understand your savings and taxes

The last thing you'd want to see—after working hard and saving diligently—is your money eaten up by taxes when you retire. By saving in an appropriate retirement account, whether you're years away from retiring or it's just around the corner, you may be able to reduce the potential tax impact. See some of the choices to consider when planning your retirement and tax situation.

Welcoming Diversity

This experiential, interactive program promotes awareness and increased sensitivity to the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups in our society. Done in an upbeat, hopeful tone, the program focuses on developing self-pride, examining stereotypes and learning skills in responding to prejudicial jokes, remarks and slurs. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, Guadalupe Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. See the complete list of HR training classes.

Introduction to SAS

This introduction to the basics of the SAS statistical software package will include basic data set creation, data set manipulation and use of some of the more common procedures. Noon-2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, Room 004, University Hall. See the complete OIT class schedule.

Mindful Moments resumes next Wednesday

Take a break from the stress of your day with Mindful Moments 12:15-12:45 p.m. Wednesdays in Room 235 of the Business Building beginning Jan. 20. Mindfulness draws on one's internal resources to cultivate awareness and to practice being present in each moment of our lives. No registration. Free. Health Services, 2‑2771.

Employment information

Check out UT Arlington employment opportunities at www.uta.edu/jobs. Have questions? Call Human Resources/Employment Services at 2‑3461 or TDD 2‑8139, or e-mail employment@uta.edu. The University of Texas at Arlington is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Logical choice: Michael Choice is the all-time career batting leader (.396) for the Mavericks entering the 2010 season.

Maverick outfielder rated 13th among nation's top players

Center fielder Michael Choice was selected as the No. 13 player in the country by the College Baseball Blog on its projected Top 100 Players list.

Choice, a junior from Arlington, has been named to three pre-season All-American teams, including second team by Collegiate Baseball and Ping, and third team by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

After helping lead Team USA to the World Baseball Challenge championship last summer, Choice and his UT Arlington teammates will begin practice Feb. 1 in preparation for the season opener against Dallas Baptist on Feb. 19 at Clay Gould Ballpark.

Men's basketball hosts UT San Antonio Saturday

Coach Scott Cross's men's basketball team will host UT San Antonio Saturday, Jan. 16, at Texas Hall. Game time is 7 p.m.

Seniors Marquez Haynes (23.5) and Brandon Long (15.5) lead the Mavericks in scoring. Ishmael Awange, a 6-10 sophomore, leads the team in blocked shots with 12.

Women on the road again for Saturday game

The women's basketball team will be looking to add to its victory total Saturday when it travels to UT San Antonio. Game time is 2:05 p.m. The Mavericks next home game will be Wednesday, Jan. 20, against Stephen F. Austin.

Senior Meghan Nelson (15.6) and juniors Shalyn Martin (11.5) and Tamara Simmons (10.2) all boast double-figure scoring averages. Martin is the top rebounder with 8.4 per game.

(For more sports news, go to utamavs.com, utamovinmavs.com, or uta.edu/campusrec.)

Friday, Jan. 15

$2 movie: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. Also 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16.

Friday, Jan. 15-Monday, Jan. 18

MLK Celebration Friday's "Sharing the Dream" awards banquet and Saturday's "Evening of Spoken Word Slam Poetry" are in the Bluebonnet Ballroom. See the entire MLK Celebration schedule.

Saturday, Jan. 16

Men's Basketball UT Arlington vs. UT San Antonio. $4 faculty, staff. 7 p.m., Texas Hall.

Tuesday, Jan. 19

UT Arlington Planetarium programs The spring schedule of shows begins Tuesday. Witness the forces that hold the universe together and occasionally try to rip it apart in "Violent Universe." 5:30 p.m., Planetarium 2‑1183, planetarium@uta.edu, www.utaplanetarium.com.

Wednesday, Jan. 20

$2 movie: Angels and Demons 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. Also 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23.

Women's Basketball UT Arlington vs. Stephen F. Austin. $4 faculty, staff. 7 p.m., Texas Hall.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UT Arlington Calendar.)