UTA In The News — Friday, September 10, 2021
Pivot to new treatment
More North Texans are turning to monoclonal antibodies to prevent severe cases of COVID-19, KTVT CBS 11, Forbes and Global News Lead reported. Jon Weidanz, an immunologist and associate vice president for research at UT Arlington, said having this tool is a “therapeutic weapon in our arsenal that can be used to help those who have become infected in the early stages of the disease.”
Paralympian profiled
Zoe Voris, a member of the Team USA wheelchair basketball team in the Paralympics and a Lady Movin’ Mavs player, talked about her Paralympics experience with NBC LX. She was one of 14 paralympians from UTA participating in the athletic event. The story also included input from Voris’ teammate Meagan Lotz and their Lady Movin’ Mavs coach, Jason Nelms.
Flight cancellations lead to stress
Erin Bowen, a UT Arlington aviation psychology researcher, spoke to KDFW Fox 4 about how flight delays and cancellations have created a high level of stress and anxiety for the flight crews and passengers. The story was about American Airlines pilots protesting what they called mismanagement of the uptick in flight schedules. The piece also aired on KRIV Fox 26 in Houston and WITI Fox 6 in Milwaukee.
Battery safety
David Wetz, a UT Arlington electrical engineering professor, received a $225,000 grant from the Office of Naval Research to investigate the safety of batteries the Navy plans to use in laboratories and ships, Scienmag and Mirage News reported. Wetz will look to prevent arc flashes in batteries.
UTA professor named fellow
The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine have named Erick C. Jones, associate dean for graduate studies in The University of Texas at Arlington College of Engineering, a Jefferson Science Fellow, Education Daily Report reported.
Random testing
UT Arlington will begin random COVID-19 testing for students and employees on campus, KXAS NBC 5 and NBCDFW.com reported.
Stronger concrete
With the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Simon Chao, a UT Arlington civil engineering professor, talked to Cheddar News about how building design has changed since the tragedy. He said an ultra-high-performance concrete in use today is much stronger than what New York City’s twin towers were constructed with.
NASA grant
Kamesh Subbarao, a UT Arlington aerospace engineering professor, is using a NASA grant to examine the complexities involved in adding aerial taxis, delivery drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles to the already crowded airspace over the United States, SpaceRef reported.
Pandemic makes teacher shortage worse
The pandemic’s toll on educators has made Texas’ teacher shortage worse, The Texas Tribune reported. Robin Jocius, a UT Arlington professor in the College of Education, said that there needs to be a better support system and mentorship opportunities in school districts to help with teacher retention. KPRC CBS 2 in Houston and KRIS NBC 6 in Corpus Christi also ran the story.