MavWire 2014 Archive » MavWire — Thursday, October 23, 2014

Cybersecurity topic of next Maverick Speakers Series lecture

Retired Navy Adm. James Stavridis will examine cybersecurity for the United States and the world in the next Maverick Speakers Series event.

Dr. Stavridis will present "Sailing the Cyber Sea: The New Realities of 21st Century Security" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Texas Hall. An autograph signing follows the lecture.

As the 12th dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Stavridis has maintained a strategic emphasis on topics such as the role of women in international relations, synthetic biology and its impact on foreign affairs, and the function of online media and social networks in public diplomacy. He served as head of the U.S. European Command and NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe for 2009-2013.

He is the author of Partnership for the Americas: Western Hemisphere Strategy and U.S. Southern Command. His latest book, The Accidental Admiral: A Soldier Takes Command at NATO, debuted this month.

Season and preferred packages and general admission tickets are available at utatickets.com. For VIP tickets, contact Mark LaVelle at mlavelle@uta.edu or 2-5235.

Water future: Dr. D.J. Seo, associate professor of civil engineering, will use data from the CASA radar unit pictured behind him for his NSF research.

Water resource tools to predict urban water flow, needs

A water resources engineer has been awarded a four-year, $1.2 million National Science Foundation grant to improve sustainability of large urban areas from extreme weather, urbanization, and climate change.

D.J. Seo, associate professor of water resources engineering in the Civil Engineering Department, will lead a team of researchers who will integrate data from advanced weather radar systems, innovative wireless sensors, and crowdsourcing of data via cellphone applications to create high-resolution modeling of urban water systems.

The resulting urban water prediction system will use cloud computing to produce a suite of products for flash flood forecasting, inundation mapping, water quality forecasting, storm water management, urbanization impact assessment, climate change impact assessment and adaptation, and other applications. The project also will eventually aid local governments in determining infrastructure needs to minimize flooding.

Read more about Dr. Seo's urban water project.

Air analysis: Drs. Alice Sun and Weidong Zhou, assistant professor and professor of electrical engineering, respectively, are building a device that separates and identifies vapors in a person's breath.

Device could detect vapors in environment or a person's breath

A three-year, $400,369 National Science Foundation grant will be used to build a hand-held device that could analyze a person’s breath to reveal whether certain dangerous gases are present that need more immediate medical attention. 

Yuze "Alice" Sun, an assistant professor in electrical engineering, says the device is a nanoscale gas chromatography tool that separates vapors from a person’s breath, a room, or an area, then detects what harmful vapors are present.

Dr. Sun says the device also could be used in environmental and security settings. For instance, homeowners could use it to determine if certain allergens or toxic chemicals were present.

Weidong Zhou, professor of electrical engineering, is co-principal investigator on the project.

Read more about the vapor detection research.

Dr. Marc Schwartz

Mind, Brain, and Education hosts international conference

Nearly 250 experts in the field of mind, brain, and education will attend the fourth biennial International Mind, Brain, and Education Society conference being organized by UT Arlington professors for Nov. 6-8 in Fort Worth.

The event is the foremost conference for educators, policymakers, and researchers developing deeper understandings of the relationships between cognitive science, neuroscience, and educational practice.

Marc Schwartz, professor and director of the Southwest Center for Mind, Brain, and Education in the College of Education, says the conference offers a framework for developing collaboration over time between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in the field of mind, brain, and education. He also is president of IMBES.

Read more about the Mind, Brain, and Education conference.

Maverick community welcomes parents, families for weekend of fun

Faculty and staff are encouraged to bring their families to the Fall Festival from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, on the University Center mall. 

Invite the family to come to Maverick Country for Parent and Family Weekend, Friday-Sunday, Oct. 24-26.

The weekend features a long list of events that allow students to show their families what it's like to be a Maverick. Activities include faculty spotlights, a fall festival with live music, glass-blowing demonstrations, Movin’ Mavs basketball, and more.

Check the Parent and Family Weekend schedule for more events, including the American Jazz Composers Orchestra Concert, and the National Alternative Fuel Day Odyssey, both on Saturday.

Last candidate for founding dean visits Friday

The last candidate for founding dean of the new College of Architecture and Urban and Public Affairs will meet with faculty and staff 10:30-11:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 24, in Room 204 of the Architecture Building.

Robin Fran Abrams is a professor and head of the School of Architecture in the College of Design at North Carolina State University-Raleigh.

The new college integrates the existing School of Architecture and the School of Urban and Public Affairs. The college is expected to become a center for excellence in collaborative research and learning in the built environment, with particular focus on issues of metropolitan growth and change.

Visit the Senior Leadership Searches webpage to learn more about the dean search for the College of Architecture and Urban and Public Affairs and submit your comments.

Free flu vaccinations offered to faculty, staff

Avoid influenza season by getting the flu vaccine for free from Health Services. Faculty and staff must bring a copy of their insurance card and their employee ID card to receive the vaccination.

For the vaccine, stop by the Health Services Center—no appointment needed—or one of these outreach clinics:

• 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, Maverick Activities Center
• 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, Vandergriff Hall
• 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, Arlington Hall
• 4-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, Kalpana Chawla Hall 
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, Palo Duro Lounge, University Center

Register to attend Innovation Symposium, NAI chapter launch

See some of the inventions by UT Arlington faculty members at the Innovation Symposium 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at College Park Center.

At 4:45 p.m., the UTA chapter of the National Academy of Inventors becomes official with an induction ceremony and reception.

The symposium, ceremony, and reception are free. Register online.

Read more about the Innovation Symposium and UTA's NAI fellows.

Dynamic duo Mary Matalin, left, and James Carville shared differing opinions and a few laughs at the Maverick Speakers Series on Monday night at Texas Hall. The husband-and-wife political consultants for opposing parties discussed campaign strategy, student involvement, voting, and more. Watch the video.

Engaging Students Conference scheduled for Nov. 7

Nancy J. White, an expert in online learning and facilitation, leads the annual Engaging Students Conference for faculty members 1-4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7.

This year's conference is in partnership with the LINK Lab and will be limited to 50 participants. Check your UTA email for more information in the next week.

College Park garages, surrounding parking lots used for Saturday concert

The College Park District parking garages and the surrounding area surface lots will be used for the Casting Crowns concert at College Park Center beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.

Parking staff will collect a parking fee at each garage during this time. Traffic in the area will be heavily impacted, so make alternate arrangements for parking.

Contact Parking and Transportation Services at parking@uta.edu or 2-3907.

Beware of latest phishing scam

The Information Security Office reports an increase in phishing campaigns that deliver malware through attachments and vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat. 

Read more about the phishing warning and safety measures you can take.

Early voting scheduled on campus

UT Arlington is a polling place for early voting for the November general election. The polling site is open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Oct. 27-30, at the Maverick Activities Center.

Photo ID is now required to cast your ballot. Acceptable forms of photo ID are Texas driver's license, Texas Election Identification Certificate, Texas personal identification card, Texas concealed handgun license, military identification card, U.S. citizenship certificate or naturalization certificate, and passport.

For more information regarding elections and voter registration, go to the Tarrant County Elections Department and Texas Secretary of State websites.

Full plate Ehsan Shafiee of the Persian Academic and Cultural Society serves potato salad to Kim van Noort at Tuesday's International Food Fair. The lunchtime event was part of International Education Week. Shafiee is a linguistics doctoral student. Dr. van Noort is associate vice provost for undergraduate studies and director of University College.

Students needed for UT System Regents, Coordinating Board nominations

Encourage outstanding students to apply to be student candidates to the UT System Board of Regents and to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Coordinating Board Advisory Committee. These positions provide a valuable student voice to education policy decisions affecting the UT System and the state’s higher education system.

Students can apply online or at the Student Congress offices in Suite B150 of the E.H. Hereford University Center by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Questions? Email sc-extr@uta.edu.

Sign up now for Homecoming chili competition, parade entry

Claim your spot in two Homecoming traditions—the Chili Cook-Off and the Homecoming parade.

Chili chefs will serve up hot stuff noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, on the University Center mall. Call Student Affairs for details at 2-6080.

The Homecoming parade starts at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, on Spaniolo Drive outside College Park Center. 

Register online for both events. Deadlines are Wednesday Nov. 12, for the parade and Friday, Nov. 14, for the Chili Cook-Off.

Thursday, Oct. 23

Leadership Skills for Supervisors Register online. Free. 9-11 a.m., J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Secure Coding and Software Development A free hands-on training for campus web application developers, architects, or IT practitioners with software experience. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., DED Technical Training Center, Room 118, 106 W. Sixth St. Information Security Office. 

Faculty Research Enhancement, Development Leave Info Session Learn about grants of up to $10,000 through the Research Enhancement Program and the faculty development leave program. 2-3 p.m., Room 303, Chemistry and Physics Building. Faculty Affairs.

MARK Adviser Training: Adviser Strengths Part 2 Register online. 2-4 p.m., Room 200, Trimble Hall. Also, Pathways to Persistence, Thursday, Oct. 30. Academic Advising Center.

Friday, Oct. 24

Materials Science and Engineering Seminar Series Associate Professor Dennis Desheng Meng, right, of the Multi-Scale Energy System (MuSES) Laboratory discusses “Scalable Nanomanufacturing for Energy Storage and Conversion Based on High-Voltage Electrophoretic Deposition.” Free. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Room 229, Nedderman Hall. Materials Science and Engineering.

Monday, Oct. 27

Secure Electronic Media Destruction Week The Information Security Office covers the costs of secure destruction of University-owned hard drives and media. Through Friday, Oct. 31. Information Security Office, security@uta.edu.

Tuesday, Oct. 28

Team Building for Supervisors Register online. Free. 9-11 a.m., J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Wednesday, Oct. 29

Screening: '(A)Sexual' This documentary shows people who experience no sexual attraction facing a sex-obsessed culture, a mountain of stereotypes and misconceptions, and a lack of social or scientific research. Free. 6-8 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. LGBTQA Program.

Friday, Oct. 31

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

Coming up

Improving Brain-injury Rehabilitation Through Infrared Imaging Georgios Alexandrakis, professor of bioengineering, describes using near-infrared light imaging to monitor traumatic brain injury as well as guide the treatment-mediated brain rewiring in children with cerebral palsy and adult stroke patients. Light breakfast provided. RSVP. Free. 7-8 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Arlington Technology Association.

Human Resources Training Powerful Presentation Skills, 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Nov. 7; Developing Assertive Communication Skills, 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11; Customer Service 101, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12; Time Management: Keys to Everyday Office Success, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19; and Welcoming Diversity, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21. Register online. Free. J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

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

Meet basketball teams at Maverick Madness; Tip-Off Reception planned

Maverick Madness, the official tip-off of the basketball season, starts at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at College Park Center.

Meet the UT Arlington men's and women's intercollegiate basketball teams, as well as the men's and women's Movin' Mavs wheelchair teams. 

The evening features contests, free food and T-shirts, promotions, and performances by the cheer and dance squads and the Wranglers.

An exclusive one-hour Maverick Club Tip-Off Reception is at 5:30 p.m. in the Hospitality Suite of College Park Center. Admission is $10 for Maverick Club members and season ticket holders and $20 for guests. Admission includes a light meal. Head coaches Scott Cross and Krista Gerlich will preview their teams. Photo opportunities with players are available. RSVP for Tip-Off Reception.

Two weekend wins vault volleyball Mavs to third in conference

The volleyball team relied on team effort for Friday’s five-set victory over Arkansas State at College Park Center and Sunday’s four-set victory over Troy in Alabama.

The wins put the Mavericks at 18-5 this season with an 8-3 record in Sun Belt Conference play.

At the Troy game, four Maverick players reached double-digit kills, four players notched double-digit digs, and three players registered a double-double.

The team hosts Georgia Southern at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at College Park Center. The Mavs are on the road to play Louisiana-Monroe at noon Sunday, Oct. 26, and Georgia State at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.

Sports shorts

• The men’s and women’s cross country teams competed last Saturday at the Pre-National Invitational. The men finished 22nd among 46 teams, and the women placed 38th out of 43. The Sun Belt Conference Championship is set for Sunday, Nov. 2, in Mobile, Ala., and the NCAA South Central Regional is Friday, Nov. 14, in Fayetteville, Ark.
• The men’s golf team closes fall competition with the Royal Oaks Intercollegiate in Dallas starting Monday, Oct. 27.
• The ITA Regional Tournaments saw impressive action from the women’s tennis team in Waco and the men’s tennis team in College Station. The women play in the Wild West Shootout in Denton on Friday-Sunday, Oct. 31-Nov. 2. The men are in the Florida Gulf Coast Invitational on Friday-Sunday, Oct. 31-Nov. 2.

Intramural entries due for Halloween ultimate disc

Upcoming entry deadlines for intramural sports include Halloween ultimate disc, Wednesday, Oct. 29; badminton, Sunday, Nov. 2; and poker, Monday, Nov. 17.     

See the intramural sports schedule. Pick up entry forms at the Services and Information Desk of the Maverick Activities Center. For questions, call 2-3277 or email imsports@uta.edu.

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

Ross Mathews gives straight talk today Talk show host and celebrity correspondent Ross Mathews presents "Straight Talk: LOL's and Advice from Your Gay BFF" at 7:30 p.m. today, Thursday, Oct. 23, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center. Since 2001, Mathews has traveled the world and established himself as one of the most in-demand television personalities in the pop-culture arena. The former Ross the Intern on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” hosts the talk show "Hello Ross!" and produced the daily web show “Inside Dish with Ross Mathews.”  He released his first book, Man Up: Tales of My Delusional Self-Confidence, in 2013. Tickets are $7 for students and limited to two per student. Others pay $15 per ticket. EXCEL Campus Activities sponsors the show.

Thursday, Oct. 23

Partial Solar Eclipse Viewing Use one of the telescopes with solar filters set up to watch the moon slip in front of the sun. Proper eye protection is essential when watching an eclipse of the sun. Free. 4:30-7 p.m., Planetarium.

Friday, Oct. 24

Friday Night Film: 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' Rated PG. Free fresh-popped popcorn while supplies last; other concessions for sale. Tickets $1, $1.50 with credit card. 8 p.m., Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. EXCEL Campus Activities.

Volleyball Mavericks vs. Georgia Southern. Tickets $5. 6:30 p.m. College Park Center. Athletics.

Saturday, Oct. 25

American Jazz Composers Orchestra Concert Hear the music of The Rolling Stones performed by Dallas/Fort Worth's top jazz musicians. Dan Cavanagh, associate director of jazz studies and associate professor of music, serves as artistic director. $10; call Box Office at 2-2669. 8 p.m., MainStage Theatre, Fine Arts Building North. Theatre Arts.

Astronomy Day Enjoy discounted shows, telescope viewing, displays, presentations, raffles, and more. 2-10 p.m., Planetarium.

Ongoing

The Gallery at UTA: Philip Van Keuren and Liz Ward Philip Van Keuren presents atmospheric black and white photogravures. Liz Ward's work includes colorful watercolors and meticulous silverpoint drawings. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays,The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building North. Through Nov. 15. The Gallery at UTA.

Gallery 76102: Above & Beyond Kalee Appleton's series is inspired by time and time’s tendency to both transform and preserve. Gallery hours noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, Gallery 76102, 1401 Jones St., Fort Worth. Through Nov. 30. Fort Worth Center, Gallery 76102.

MavsArt The semi-annual UTA community art show features 67 works by 25 artists who are UTA students, faculty, and staff. Through Dec. 3. UT Arlington Libraries, MavsArt.

Special Collections: The Price of Manifest Destiny Discover how maps and war interlock in the 19th century in a new exhibit. Hours 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, sixth floor, Central Library. Through Feb. 7, 2015. UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections.

Visual Resource Commons and Gallery The African Art Collection is a multi-dimensional collection of 11th-20th century art and artifacts. Free. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, Suite 2109, Fine Arts Building. Art and Art History.

Planetarium Open House Night free shows each Tuesday: Stars of the Pharaohs, Oct. 28. The fall schedule includes Astronaut; One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure; Pink Floyd; Spacepark 360 Infinity; Two Small Pieces of Glass; and We Are Astronomers. Planetarium.

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