MavWire 2015 Archive » MavWire — Monday, January 12, 2015

Dr. Junha Jeon

Jeon wins American Chemical Society grant for young scientists

Junha Jeon, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, has won a new grant from the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund for exploring the chemical catalysis that leads to synthetic chemistry discoveries useful in drug development and energy.

Dr. Jeon has been awarded a two-year, $110,000 award from the Petroleum Research Fund’s Doctoral New Investigator grant program. That program provides start-up funding for U.S. researchers during the first three years of their career. 

Jeon’s lab is focused on generating new catalytic reactions to make useful molecules from readily available petrochemicals, such as ethane and propane. In the grant-funded research, he will work to understand the reaction mechanism at work in ruthenium benzylidene catalysts useful in the energy and pharmaceutical industries.

Read more about Jeon's grant.

Dr. Manfred Cuntz

Astrophysicist offers new method for finding regions favorable for life

Research by physics Professor Manfred Cuntz sheds greater light on identifying systems in space that may be favorable for life.

Dr. Cuntz has researched S-type and P-type binary stars to form the basis for BinHab, a new online tool that can be used to calculate the regions known as habitable zones.

His work is published in the January 2015 issue of the Astrophysical Journal. Some of his results also will be presented at the 225th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society in January in Seattle.

Read more about Cuntz's BinHab tool.

Drs. Jana Beinhauer, Jose Barrera, and Kevin Schug

More efficient trace estrogen detection developed at Shimadzu

Scientists at the Shimadzu Institute for Research Technologies and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry have collaborated to develop a new method for detecting trace amounts of estrogen in small samples that holds the potential to improve research into cancer and other diseases.

The hormone estrogen plays an important role in the human body and has been linked to everything from tumor growth to neuron loss during Alzheimer’s disease. But detecting very small amounts of it in blood and other biological fluids can be difficult for health researchers. 

Jana Beinhauer, a visiting scientist from Palacký University in the Czech Republic who spent nine months at UTA, and Liangqiao Bian, senior research scientist at the Shimadzu Center for Advanced Analytical Chemistry, are lead authors on the new paper published by the journal Analytica Chimica Acta.

Co-authors are Jose Barrera, director of the Shimadzu Institute; Kevin Schug, Shimadzu Distinguished Professor of Analytical Chemistry; Hui Fan, a recent Ph.D. graduate of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; and Maciej Kukula, facility manager for the Shimadzu Center. 

Read more about the trace estrogen detection research.

Drs. Susanna Khavul, Jeffrey McGee, Liliana Perez-Nordtvedt

Study examines AT&T Stadium's impact on businesses

A study by management professors shows when businesses synchronized their operations around major events at the AT&T Stadium, they experienced success.

The study also shows that businesses closer to the stadium that saw the stadium as a negative became paralyzed when trying to adapt to the changing economic environment.

Susanna Khavul, Jeffrey McGee, and Liliana Pérez-Nordtvedt, all associate professors in the Department of Management, teamed with David Harrison, management professor at UT Austin, on the study, titled “Adaptation to Temporal Shocks: Influences of Strategic Interpretation and Spatial Distance” and published in The Journal of Management Studies.

Read more about the AT&T Stadium business impact study.

Travel reimbursement rate increases

Travel after Jan. 1, 2015, has an increase in the standard mileage reimbursement rate. The new rate is 57.5 cents per mile, up from 56 cents. The rate of reimbursement is affected by the travel date, not the reimbursement date.

For assistance with mileage reimbursement or any other travel-related question, call Travel Services at 2-2194.

Update your contact information for MavAlert system

Stay abreast of urgent news through the MavAlert Emergency Notification System.

The MavAlert system rapidly notifies faculty, staff, and students in the event of a campus emergency via registered email addresses and text message devices. Verify your contact information at uta.edu/mymav.

To enable MavAlert text messages, add your mobile phone number or other SMS text message device to your UT Arlington contact information and label it "mobile phone" via the drop-down menu. Log in to MyMav, then click on the Sign up for MavAlerts link in the right column.

The next system-wide test of the MavAlert Emergency Notification System is at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4. 

During the Wednesday test, faculty, staff, and students will receive the following message via the email addresses and mobile devices designated in their MavAlert profile: “Attention: This is a test of the UT Arlington MavAlert Emergency Notification System. Update your emergency contact information at uta.edu/mymav.”

The MavAlert test will coincide with the regular monthly test of the Outdoor Warning System, also at 12:30 p.m. The University’s voice annunciation system will be activated inside campus buildings. The City of Arlington's monthly weather warning test will follow at 1 p.m.

Safe and Sound in Maverick Country offers comprehensive information about safety precautions implemented by UT Arlington, tips for staying safe while on campus, procedures to follow in the event of an emergency, and important contact information.

Railroad track renewal project Jan. 16-24

Union Pacific will undertake a major railway improvement project between Dallas and Fort Worth this month. As a result, Arlington drivers will encounter some periodic road detours and closures Jan. 16-24.

Crews will replace the 13-mile stretch of the south mainline rail that runs parallel to Division Street and old wooden crossties and ballast. Concrete panels at each crossing will be renewed for a smoother approach for vehicles.

In order to work more efficiently, crews are scheduled to work 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. Train horns will sound during this time for the safety of the track workers, even in the quiet zones.

Only two railroad crossings will be closed at a time. See the list of crossings.

Events to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day

UT Arlington will pay tribute this month to Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate those who have shared the late civil rights leader’s dream of equality and justice.

The annual Advancing the Dream Awards Banquet begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center. The banquet honors recipients of the first MLK Living Legend Awards and presents scholarships. Banquet tickets are $45 at utatickets.com.

An Evening of Spoken Word Poetry Slam is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom. Admission is $15 at utatickets.com. The winner receives $1,000.

"Make it a Day On, Not A Day Off" is the theme for the annual MLK day of service Monday, Jan. 19. Gather at 9 a.m. at the Maverick Activities Center for breakfast and assignments. The first 150 volunteers will receive T-shirts. For details, call 817-472-7963.

See more MLK Day events at arlingtonmlk.com.

Offices closed for MLK holiday

Campus offices will be closed and there are no classes Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. MavWire will not be published Monday and will resume Thursday, Jan. 22.

Open house set for new center, Faculty Affairs offices

Faculty are invited to an open house for the new offices for the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence and the Division of Faculty Affairs. The event is noon-3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, in Suite 415 of the Central Library. RSVP.

Tour the two new conference rooms, one of which will be available for faculty use after hours.

Faculty writing groups forming for spring

Spring writing groups for faculty members begin in early February. The program will help faculty members learn strategies for daily writing and better time management and connect them with colleagues from a variety of disciplines.

Contact Maria Martinez-Cosio at mcosio@uta.edu or 2-3302, or stop by the new Division of Faculty Affairs office in Suite 415 of the Central Library.

Sign up for a table at Activity Fair Day

University departments, programs, and student organizations are encouraged to host an information table at the spring Activity Fair Day on Wednesday, Jan. 28, in the E.H. Hereford University Center. Register online.

Be part of upcoming Preview Days

The Office of University Recruitment wants your academic department or student organization to be represented at Maverick Experience Preview Days. Register online for upcoming events Saturday, Feb. 7, and Saturday, April 18. For questions, email agraves@uta.edu.

Social planned for first Men and Masculinities Week

Male-identifying faculty, staff, and students are invited to participate in the inaugural Men and Masculinities Week, hosted by Multicultural Affairs. The social networking event is 12:30-2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, in the Carlisle Suite of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

RSVP by 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, to ramirezss@uta.edu.

Recruit for your program at transfer New Maverick Orientation

University departments and registered student organizations can tell transfer students about their programs at Involvement Fairs. The next session is Wednesday, Jan. 14. Learn more and register online.

New limits for 2015 mean additional tax savings

If you’re looking for a way to lower your taxable income while saving for your retirement, significant tax savings are available to you right now through your UTSaver 403(b) Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA) and UTSaver 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP).

Read more about the UTSaver retirement programs at utretirement.utsystem.edu.

Employment information

Check out employment opportunities at uta.edu/jobs. Have questions? Call Human Resources/Employment Services at 2-3461 or TDD 2-8139, or email employment@uta.edu. The University of Texas at Arlington is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Tuesday, Jan. 13

Effective Delegation Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Thursday, Jan. 15

Faculty Peer Observation of Teaching Info Sessions Information sessions for faculty and academic administrators. 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, Room 601, Nedderman Hall, and 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16, Room 601, Nedderman Hall. Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, Faculty Affairs.

Wednesday, Jan. 21

Managing Projects and Making Decisions Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Thursday, Jan. 22

Engineering Speakers Series Karen C. Kabbes, president of Kabbes Engineering, presents "Water Resources: Sustaining Quality and Quantity or What Will Be the State of Our Water Resources When Today's Students Rule the World?" 5-7 p.m., Room 601, Nedderman Hall. Engineering.

Tuesday, Jan. 27

Writing/Designing NSF Proposals Workshop A one-day comprehensive workshop on how to submit winning research proposals to the National Science Foundation with interactive exercises, writing examples, lectures, and discussions. Space limited. Register online. $375. Houston Marriott Medical Center, Houston. Details, call 866-704-7268.

Dealing with Difficult Employees and People Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Friday, Jan. 30

Motivating Your Employees Register online. 10 a.m.-noon, Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

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

Annual First Pitch Fundraiser set for Friday night

Tickets are on sale for the First Pitch Fundraiser benefiting the UT Arlington baseball and softball programs. The program is 7-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, in College Park Center's Hospitality Suite.

Coaches Darin Thomas and Kristie Fox will look at the 2014 season and preview their 2015 squads. Members of the 2015 baseball and softball teams and former players will attend.

Tickets are $25 and available at utatickets.com.

Hunter Pence among Hall of Honor inductees

Two-time World Series champion Hunter Pence of the San Francisco Giants is among the inductees in the 2015 UT Arlington Athletics Hall of Honor class. The Hall of Honor ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, in the Bluebonnet Room of the University Center.

The 2015 Hall of Honor inductees are Pence (baseball), Elston Cawley (men's track and field), Valeria Whitfield (women's volleyball), Mike Stamps (football), and the 1996-2000 men's track and field teams.

Individual tickets are available for $50 at utatickets.com. Reservations are due by Wednesday, Jan. 21.

Contact Kimberley Jardine at kjardine@uta.edu or call 2-0694 for questions or to reserve a table near an inductee.

Badminton, poker first intramural deadlines for 2015

Upcoming entry deadlines for intramural sports include badminton, Tuesday, Jan. 13; and poker, Thursday, Jan. 15.

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.

Blaze's Kids Club includes free admission

Blaze's Kids Club offers a range of benefits for the youngest members of the Maverick campus community, including free admission to all UTA home athletic events, an official membership certificate, and a birthday card from Blaze.

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

Friday, Jan. 16

Faculty Flute Recital with Terry Sanchez Performance by Terry Sanchez, visiting assistant professor of flute. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Saturday, Jan. 17

Tessitura Trio Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Guest Flute Recital with Christina Jennings Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Monday, Jan. 19

Women's Basketball Mavericks vs. Texas State. Tickets $7. 5 p.m., College Park Center. Also, vs. Georgia State, 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, and vs. Troy, 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. Athletics.

Men's Basketball Mavericks vs. Texas State. Tickets $7. 7:15 p.m., College Park Center. Also, vs. Georgia State, 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, and vs. Troy, 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. Athletics.

Coming up

Music Concerts and Recitals Free. Faculty Bass Recital with Jack Unzicker, Thursday, Jan. 22; and Guest Violin Recital with Alessandra Jennings Flanagan, Monday, Jan. 26. All 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Ongoing

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

Visual Resource Commons and Gallery The African Art Collection is a multi-dimensional collection of 11th- to 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 The spring schedule features Black Holes, Dynamic Earth, Pink Floyd, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, and Spacepark 360: Infinity. Planetarium.

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