University Communications » Internal Communications » MavWire » MavWire 11-01-2010

Finding fault: College of Science Dean Pamela Jansma, left, and earth and environmental sciences Professor Glen Mattiolli are members of a research team that found that the Haiti earthquake was caused by a previously unmapped fault.

Science faculty members conclude that unknown fault caused Haiti earthquake

A new study co-authored by College of Science Dean Pamela Jansma, earth and environmental sciences Professor Glen Mattioli, and researchers at several other universities presents strong evidence that the Jan. 12 Haitian earthquake was caused by a previously unmapped fault and not the one experts first suspected.

The researchers say “a significant seismic threat for Haiti and for Port-au-Prince in particular” remains because the earthquake didn’t release significant accumulated strain from the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault, as first believed. Their paper, “Transpressional rupture of an unmapped fault during the 2010 Haiti earthquake,” will be published in the November issue of Nature Geoscience and is available online.

The researchers concluded that the previously unmapped Léogâne fault caused the quake.

Read more about the research on the Haiti earthquake.

Nursing students to simulate disaster Friday

Students from the College of Nursing are participating in a simulated disaster drill 1-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at the Campus Recreation Fields Complex.

Participating in the drill are UT Arlington Police, Arlington Medical Response, Arlington Police, Arlington Fire Department, and PHI Helicopter. Decontamination equipment is being provided by a local hospital.

Simulated patients will be used in the exercise, which includes 109 community health nursing students as well as RN-BSN students, says Susan Cherry, clinical instructor in the College of Nursing.

Focusing on chemistry: Dr. Sandy Dasgupta, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, is the featured speaker for this month's Focus on Faculty session Wednesday.

Faculty focus is on chemistry pioneer

"Solving Problems" is Purnendu Dasgupta's topic for this month's Focus on Faculty lecture series at noon Wednesday, Nov. 3, in the sixth floor parlor of the Central Library.

Dr. Dasgupta is the Jenkins Garrett Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He was honored recently by the American Chemical Society for pioneering advances in the field of chromatography, a process used in water quality studies, air pollution monitoring, and drug development.

Nicknamed "Sandy," the renowned researcher is a published poet in his native language of Bengali, but is best known for his work in analytical chemistry. He has 17 U.S. patents, including the electrodialytic reagent generation and suppression technologies on which current ion chromatography is based. He is a chemistry journal editor and recipient of numerous chemistry awards.

In 1994 Dasgupta testified as the principal expert witness in the Royal High Courts of Justice for Hoechst-Celanese against British Petroleum. In 2005 he was asked to brief the U.S. Congress on the significance of the widespread occurrence of perchlorate, an environmental contaminant, in human milk.

The free lecture will be followed by a reception at 1 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. If you need special accommodations to fully participate in this program, contact Tommie Wingfield at 2-2658 or wingfield@uta.edu.

Get the facts for your college-bound student Wednesday

Faculty and staff members are invited to learn why UT Arlington is a destination school for their college-bound students 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, in the University Club at Davis Hall. The Office of Undergraduate Recruitment hosts the event.

Bring your high school student to hear current students and their parents tell how they ultimately chose UT Arlington. Dale Wasson, senior associate vice president for student enrollment services, and a panel of faculty, staff, and students will speak.

"This event is a chance to talk with students and staff, explore the benefits of choosing UTA, and find answers to questions about the college search process," Dr. Wasson says. "The opportunity for individual conversation is limited at our large events, and this event will provide easy access."

Light appetizers and refreshments will be served. To RSVP, contact Tandi Knight at tandi.knight@uta.edu by Monday, Nov. 1.

Arthur J. Coury

Researcher expounds on foundation, future of tissue engineering for speaker series

Arthur J. Coury, a leader in novel biomaterials research, discusses "Medical Devices and Tissue Engineering: A Time of Transition" for the College of Engineering Distinguished Speaker Series at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, in Room 100 at Nedderman Hall. A reception precedes at 5 p.m. in Room 601 in Nedderman Hall.

Dr. Coury's career focus has been polymeric biomaterials for medical products such as implantable electronic devices, hydrogel-based devices, and drug delivery systems. He holds more than 50 distinct patents and has been widely published in the field of polymeric biomaterials for medical products. He was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2009.

Tissue engineering involves the systematic control of the body’s cells, matrices, and fluids. Intensive academic and industrial investigation aims at controlling these components for regenerative purposes. For example, skin regeneration therapies are available to treat burn victims. Cartilage regeneration may obviate joint replacement. Scientists and engineers are modifying cells to regenerate the electrical function of the heart with the intent of replacing electronic pacemakers. Tissue engineering can address purposes other than regeneration such as the limitation of scarring and the modulation of organ function.

Register online for the free lecture. For details, contact Tracey Kocher at 2-3679.

Routine warning system test set for Wednesday

UT Arlington conducts the monthly test of its Outdoor Warning System at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3. The test, held the first Wednesday of every month, will not be conducted in the event of bad weather.

Heard campus-wide through strategically placed loudspeakers, the test includes electronic chimes and is followed by the test announcement. At the conclusion of the test, an announcement will be broadcast to resume normal operations.

The City of Arlington's outdoor weather warning system has 51 sirens that alert people who are outdoors to seek shelter. Weather permitting, the city's system is tested on the first Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m.

The right prescription Latoya Oduniyi, right, health promotions and substance abuse educator for Health Services, provides information to business graduate student Jayavani Nagireddi during Prescription Drug Awareness Day on Friday in the Palo Duro Lounge. Representatives from Health Services were available to help with questions about prescription drug use and abuse.

Today is deadline for mentors to assist in veterans' transition

Faculty and staff have a chance to serve as mentors for American Corporate Partners, the national non-profit organization dedicated to helping military veterans transition to the private sector. The UT System is a supporter of the program.

Application deadline is today, Monday, Nov. 1, at acp-usa.org. The UT System code is UTACP.

Once individuals apply, they are matched by ACP staff with protégés by city and according to mentoring preferences. ACP encourages mentors and protégés to meet once monthly for at least one year, either in person or over the phone.

Convert your WebCT course to Blackboard by Friday

Blackboard is replacing WebCT in the spring, so if you use WebCT to teach, you have choices on which transition path to take. You may choose to convert your entire course or only specific materials, such as quizzes.

It is highly recommended you explore Blackboard first and decide which transition path to take. You may want to start from scratch and reorganize your current course files using the new "My Content" feature in Blackboard.

The deadline for requesting a WebCT course conversion to Blackboard is Friday, Nov. 5. Learn more about Blackboard information and training.

Proposals for Academic Advising Association conference due Friday

Faculty and staff interested in presenting at the Academic Advising Association annual conference should submit proposals by Friday, Nov. 5, to UTAAA.

Don Asher is the keynote speaker for the conference Feb. 15, 2011, in the E.H. Hereford University Center. Asher is a nationally known speaker and writer on careers and higher education. His topics include choosing a major, on-boarding and retention, career re-entry and repair, and networking.

He has been the career columnist for USAirways Magazine, education columnist for MSN, and a contributing writer for the Wall Street Journal's CareerJournal.com and CollegeJournal.com, careerbuilder.com, Dow Jones' Managing Your Career Magazine and National Business Employment Weekly, and the NACE Journal.

UT System Physical Activity Challenge continues

There is still time to participate in 2010 UT System Physical Activity Challenge. The challenge continues through Wednesday, Nov. 17. Registration through America On the Move is easy and simple.

View the UT System Physical Activity Challenge video to learn how to register, link to UT Arlington’s group page, and log your activity. Once registered you can start logging your activity through the tracking tool at americaonthemove.org.

Encourage your co-workers to join you in the challenge and help UT Arlington compete against other UT System institutions for the coveted UT System Challenge traveling trophy.

Mindful Moments

Take a break from stress with Mindful Moments. Mindfulness draws on one's internal resources to cultivate awareness and to practice being present in each moment of our lives. Free. 12:15-12:45 p.m., Wednesdays, Room 235, Business Building. Health Services, Marie Bannister, 2-2771.

Introduction to Adobe InDesign

Explore the basics of Adobe’s desktop publishing software. Learn how to work with images, text, and document formats to create exciting custom page layouts. 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, Room B29, Central Library. See more OIT training classes.

Using and Managing Copyright

Attorney Georgia K. Harper of the UT Austin Libraries tells how to use others' works and how to manage your own copyrights, including publisher contracts and amendments. Register online. Free. Noon-1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 10, Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Tommie Wingfield, wingfield@uta.edu, 2-2658.

Essentials of Assertiveness

Learn powerful tools for assertiveness to help you deal with conflict at all levels of an organization, and discover techniques on how to be an assertive communicator. Free. 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. See a complete listing of HR training classes.

Employment Information

Check out employment opportunities at 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.

Wednesday, Nov. 3

Angel Tree Kickoff Celebration Help celebrate the start of the Salvation Army Christmas Angel Tree season. Adopt an angel to give a less fortunate child a wonderful holiday. Free refreshments. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. UTA Volunteers, 2-2963.

Food for Thought: STDs in the City Educate yourself on the top five diagnosed STDs in Texas and across the states. Presented by Donielle Smith, coordinator of health promotions for Health Services. Register online. Free. Noon-1 p.m. Room 213, Maverick Activities Center.

Focus on Faculty Purnendu Dasgupta, professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, is this month's speaker. Light refreshments. Free. Presentation noon-1 p.m., reception 1-1:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Tommie Wingfield, wingfield@uta.edu, 2-2658.

Architecture Lecture Series Dallas architect Russell Buchanan is the guest speaker. Free. 4 p.m. Room 204, Architecture Building. Architecture, Robert Rummel-Hudson, 2-2314.

Engineering Distinguished Speaker Series Arthur J. Coury, principal for Coury Consulting Services, provides a forecast for future advances in tissue engineering and cell regeneration. Register online. Free. Reception 5 p.m., Room 601, Nedderman Hall; Lecture 6 p.m., Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Engineering Distinguished Speaker Series. Tracey Kocher, 2-3679.

Thursday, Nov. 4

Orientation for Second Life in Nursing See registration form in Second Life. Free. 2-3:30 p.m. Connect at Second Life.

Terrestrial Radiation Effects and Their Impact on Electronic Systems Ray Baumann, a Texas Instruments Fellow and recipient of the Noel C. Little Prize in Experimental Physics, provides an overview of the radiation environment and how it can upset silicon devices. Reservations required. Free. 3:30 p.m. Room 105, Nedderman Hall. Thanh Bui, tbui@uta.edu, 2-1536.

Saturday, Nov. 6

The Value of Second Life to Nursing Kelley Connor of Boise State University and Jeffrey Mellenthin of Texas Woman's University make Second Life presentations. Register online. Free. 9:30-11:30 a.m., Second Life.

Monday, Nov. 8

Anderson Sport Performance Lecture Tom Burnett, commissioner of the Southland Conference, discusses the NCAA conference realignment for the 29th Anderson Sport Performance Lecture. He will explain how the NCAA's change will affect UT Arlington and the Southland Conference, which includes 11 other member institutions. Free. Noon. Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center. Kinesiology, 2-3288.

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

Asian Heritage Month starts with a parade today Step into Asian Heritage Month with the colorful Lion Dance Parade noon-1:30 p.m. today, Monday, Nov. 1, in the Palo Duro Lounge of the E.H. Hereford University Center. The Cho Chin Woo Lion Dance Academy leads the parade and performance. Play a few games—such as paper stars, ninja, and trivia—and take a chance on a raffle. Other events for the month include: Diversity Lecture Series, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Kip Fulbeck, above, an author and filmmaker, presents his unique monologues and multimedia shows, which combine comedy with a politically charged edge, leading audiences to consider "Who Am I?" A book signing follows. This event is free, but tickets are required. Tickets are available at utatickets.com. One Night in Asia, 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. Celebrate Asia’s traditions with performances by the Filipino Student Association, Pakistan Student Association, Dallas Kiyari Daiko Japanese war drummers, and Fusion Flow. Most Awesome Extreme Challenge, 7-10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Form a team and compete in an obstacle course, sumo wrestling, and jousting. More details are available from the Office of Multicultural Affairs at multicultural@uta.edu or 2-2099.

Monday, Nov. 1

World Series Watch Party Watch on the big screen as the Texas Rangers meet the San Francisco Giants in Game 5 of the World Series. Free. 6:30 p.m. Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. Also Tuesday and Wednesday if series continues.

Wednesday, Nov. 3

$2 Movie: Iron Man Because of his superhero alter ego, Tony Stark must contend with deadly issues involving the government, his own friends, and new enemies. 5:30 p.m. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Planetarium, 2-1183.

Thursday, Nov. 4

Guest Pianist Recital Andrey Ponochevny, bronze medal winner of the 2002 International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition and silver medal winner of the 2010 New Orleans Piano Competition, will perform selections by Schubert, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and Medtner. Free. Noon. Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 2-3471.

Volleyball Mavericks vs. Southeastern Louisiana. $6, utatickets.com. 7 p.m. Texas Hall. Athletics, 2-2261.

Saturday, Nov. 6

Volleyball Mavericks vs. Nicholls State. $6, utatickets.com. 2 p.m. Texas Hall. Athletics, 2-2261.

Sunday, Nov. 7

Faculty Cello Recital Elizabeth Morrow of the music faculty performs. Free. 7:30 p.m. Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 2-3471.

Ongoing

Charting Chartered Companies: Concessions to Companies as Mirrored in Maps, 1600-1900 Exhibit focuses on maps and how they shaped the histories of chartered companies. Through Jan. 8. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mondays-Saturdays, Special Collections, sixth floor, Central Library. 2-2179.

Gallery 76102: flats and rounds Artist Nicholas Wood works in hybrid forms of painting, drawing, and sculpture. Through Nov. 30. Gallery hours 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays; 2-6 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center, 1401 Jones St., Fort Worth.

The Gallery at UTA: Introductions Features the work of three assistant professors of art, Seiji Ikeda, Ya'Ke Smith, and Tore Terrasi, who are active exhibiting artists, designers, and filmmakers. Through Nov. 20. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Noon-5 p.m. Saturday. The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building.

Planetarium programs See your favorite shows, including Spacepark 360, and choose from a selection of T-shirts, baby clothes, accessories, and telescopes at Star Store Gift Shop. Planetarium schedule, 2-1183.

Downtown Farmers Market Arlington's downtown farmers market features locally grown produce and locally made baked goods, arts, and crafts. Co-sponsored by UT Arlington Dining Services. 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays, 215 E. Front St.

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