UTA In The News — Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Purifying ethylene
UTA researchers have filed a provisional patent application on a new copper compound that can be used to purify ethylene for use as a raw material in the production of plastics and other industrial compounds, Singapore’s Naaju and Health Medicine Network reported. Rasika Dias, UTA distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry, is leading the research.
Company investigated
Sriram Villapuram, UTA associate professor in the Department of Finance and Real Estate, said it was odd that a homebuilding firm would reach across the Pacific Ocean to find investors, KTVT CBS 11 reported in a piece about Serene Country Homes. The company has been accused of building shoddy homes and leaving housing editions unfinished. The article also appeared on the station’s website.
Nonprofit helps out
Mission Continues, a nonprofit veterans organization, visited the UTA Veterans Assistance Center to use a $9,000 Home Depot grant to replace flooring, paint walls and install new cabinets in the building, KTVT CBS 11 reported.
Latino jobs
KXTX Telemundo 39 interviewed Adrian Rodriguez, a UTA assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and students Elida Sorto-Ramos and Lauren Sorto-Ramos about high-paying jobs for Latinos.
Veterans programs
UTA student Frank Chavez told KXTX Telemundo 39 about the programs available to military veterans at the University for a Veterans Day story.
Optical probe
Weidong Zhou, a distinguished professor at UTA in electrical engineering, received a $200,000 Partnerships for Innovation grant from the National Science Foundation to develop an implantable optical probe that can be inserted in the brain to monitor brain function after traumatic injuries or surgeries, then be absorbed by the body, Science and Technology Research News reported. Zhou is working with John Rogers, a world leader in the field of bioresorbable or biodegradable electronics at Northwestern University.
New pathway
UTA researchers have found a new pathway to regulate immune response and potentially control inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, such as meningitis and sepsis, China’s Clove Garden and ReachMD reported. Subhrangsu Mandal, UTA associate professor of chemistry, led the research.
Adaptive pythons
A UTA study has found that Florida’s Burmese pythons have rapidly adapted to become hardier and more resistant to cold than their Asian cousins, the Panama City, Fla., News Herald reported.
Amazon disappointment
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said he was disappointed in the city being unable to land Amazon's second headquarters, KTVT CBS 11 and The Dallas Morning News reported. Rawlings said the region had set up a multi-university partnership, which included UTA, to provide a high-tech workforce for the company.
Homecoming 2018
UTA students kicked off Homecoming Week at a "Paint Your Ride" spirit event, where their cars were decorated with cheers such as “Honk for Homecoming,” “Go UTA!” and “Maverick Pride,” High Beam reported.
New certification
UTA is the first Texas university to offer students the opportunity to earn a master’s degree in economics and a National Association for Business Economics Certified Business Economist®, or CBE, professional certification simultaneously, U.S. Fed News and Arlington-tx.gov reported.
President named to board
UTA President Vistasp Karbhari was named a board member at large for the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities' 2019 board of directors, Targeted News Service reported.
Veterans, police views
The Undefeated reported about how black military veterans and police officers view the national anthem protests in the NFL. W. Marvin Dulaney, a UTA emeritus associate professor of history, said it makes sense that some black police officers feel a kinship with players who have vehemently criticized the police.
Alumnus named VP
Mark Schwartz, a 25-year veteran of cardiovascular device development, has joined BioCardia as vice president of clinical affairs, Cardiovascular News reported. Schwartz holds a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from UTA.
Alumnus named CIO
Chris Andrews has been named chief information officer for Pei Wei Asian Kitchen, Restaurant News reported. Andrews received a master’s degree in professional accounting from UTA.