UTA In The News — Friday, October 15, 2021
Johnson & Johnson booster shots
The FDA is weighing whether and when to offer booster doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and its panel of experts will also discuss the benefits of mixing and matching vaccine manufacturers, The Dallas Morning News reported. Erin Carlson, UTA associate clinical professor and director of public health programs in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation, said the Johnson & Johnson studies indicated that waiting months between doses may provide more protection against COVID-19.
Texas universities infrastructure bill
The Texas legislature is considering a bill that would authorize nearly $2 billion in bonds for infrastructure projects at Texas public universities, KERA 90.1 and The Dallas Morning News reported. The bill includes money for construction and upgrades of health care, education and research facilities, including nearly $300 million to build or renovate science buildings at The University of Texas at Arlington and University of North Texas at Dallas.
Outstanding Teaching Award
Alicia Rueda-Acedo, UTA associate professor of Spanish and director of the Spanish Translation and Interpreting program, has earned the 2021 UT System Board of Regents Outstanding Teaching Award for her exceptional work guiding students, Targeted News Service. The annual award recognizes educators who best exemplify excellence, innovation and a commitment to student success.
Texas House redistricting
Tom Marshall, UTA professor of political science, spoke to Fox 4 News about the Texas House approval of its proposal for state representation for the next ten years. Marshall said the new state and U.S. district boundaries contain very few swing districts.
Best in show
Elise Milburn, a UTA sophomore architecture student, has won back-to-back Best in Show painting awards at the State Fair of Texas, Mirage News reported. Her painting “Flute and Pearls” won the adult category for any medium in fine art at the State Fair. Last year, Milburn won in the youth division for her painting “Urban Longhorn,” which depicts the Dallas North Tollway cutting through pastures in Prosper.
Fermented soybean products
Woo-Suk Chang, UTA associate professor of biology, has partnered with the Microbial Institute for Fermentation Industry in South Korea to study how fermented soybean products improve digestive health, Targeted News Service reported. Cheonggukjang, a traditional Korean food made of fermented soybean paste, offers health benefits that include antioxidant and anticancer effects, obesity prevention and improved insulin sensitivity.