UTA In The News — Tuesday, January 21, 2025
UT Arlington wins postsecondary success recognition
UTA is the only doctoral-granting institution to receive the U.S. Department of Education’s first-ever Postsecondary Success Recognition Program award recognizing universities for their commitment to student success and economic mobility, reported The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Report, and even Char-Koosta News, among a number of other outlets that published the article last week and were included in previous ITN newsletters.
UTA powers domestic magnet manufacturing
The University of Texas at Arlington has been awarded a $1.3 million grant to develop a more efficient process for sourcing rare earth elements needed to produce high-performance magnets. Led by physicist J. Ping Liu, the project aims to make the mining of these critical materials more cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable by using cheaper, more abundant materials, reported D Magazine, Dallas Innovates, Enerzine, Design and Development Today, Industrial Equipment News, and Manufacturing Business Technology.
UTA ranks among world’s top institutions for green impact
The University of Texas at Arlington’s commitment to sustainable, environmental research and social impact has placed it in the top quarter of global institutions and 77th among 239 U.S. institutions, according to the 2025 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Sustainability World University Rankings, Dallas Innovates, Patch.com, and Brightgram shared.
Scientists with disabilities are making research labs more accessible
Researchers with disabilities, like UTA’s Venu Varanasi, who has low vision, are helping make labs and fieldwork more accessible, reported the Associated Press. The story was picked up by nearly 150 other news outlets, including U.S. News and World Report, ABC News, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Canadian National Post, Daily Mail, Minnesota Star Tribune, The Denver Gazette, San Francisco Chronicle, WTOP News, Newsday, and the UK’s Independent.
Researching historical hurricanes can mitigate future storm risks
Research led by UTA’s Ricardo Sanchez-Murillo analyzes past hurricane destruction to help communities prepare for future storms. The story was shared by MSN News, Scienmag, Phys.org, Emerging Risks, Environmental News Network, and Water Online.
New grant will improve genetic knowledge
Using $1.8 million in federal funding, UTA biologist Alicia Rogers is heading up a project that could lead to improved genetic knowledge, aiding in the development of synthetic therapies to prevent or treat diseases such as cancer, reported Dallas Innovates.
UTA partners to preserve local history
UT Arlington and Arlington Baptist University are collaborating to preserve the history of a local tearoom that turned into a brothel and casino before becoming a religious school, reported Fort Worth Report.
North Texas congresswoman honors 85-year-old UTA graduate
Rep. Beth Van Duyne, a Republican from Irving, recognized Ramesh Sharma, an 85-year-old who graduated from UTA with his Ph.D. in December, as a Hometown Hero, reported the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. By earning the degree, Sharma fulfilled a promise he made as a child.
Former film professor honored with exhibit at UTA
UT Arlington is hosting an exhibit honoring the career of retired UTA film professor Bart Weiss, reported KERA News.