MavWire 2015 Archive » MavWire — Monday, March 2, 2015

Dr. Morteza Khaledi

Analytical chemist named College of Science dean

UT Arlington has appointed Morteza Khaledi, professor and chair of the nationally ranked Chemistry Department at North Carolina State University, as dean of the College of Science. He joins the University on Aug. 1.

Dr. Khaledi is a renowned expert in mechanistic studies and bioanalytical applications of high-performance capillary electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and corporate entities. He has chaired the NCSU Chemistry Department since 2014 and previously from 2005 to 2011.

Under his leadership, the department enhanced its national reputation; added multiple endowed chairs valued at $1 million each; increased funded research from federal and state agencies, foundations, and corporations; and developed innovative sources of revenue. The department also undertook substantial curricular reforms and initiated new programs aimed at student access and success.

Read more about Khaledi's appointment.

Dr. Samarendra Mohanty

Researchers demonstrate optogenetic stimulation of the brain to control pain

A new study by a UT Arlington physics team in collaboration with bioengineering and psychology researchers shows for the first time how a small area of the brain can be optically stimulated to control pain. 

Samarendra Mohanty, assistant professor of physics, leads the Biophysics and Physiology Lab in the College of Science. He is co-author on a paper published online Wednesday by the journal PLOS ONE.

Researchers found that by using specific frequency of light to modulate a very small region of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex, or ACC, they could considerably lessen pain in laboratory mice. Existing electrode-based ACC stimulation lacks specificity and leads to activation of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons.

Read more about the pain control research.

The weather outside... Students walk through snow flurries as they head home from classes at noon Friday when the campus closed because of wintry weather.

Performance reviews due March 31

Annual performance reviews for employees must be completed by Tuesday, March 31. The reviews do not include faculty members and graduate assistants.

Performance Management Forms and Procedures for supervisors is offered 10-11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, and 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, both in Room 200 of the J.D. Wetsel Service Center.

Evaluation forms are online.

For questions, email hrperformreviews@uta.edu or call 2-5554.

Plan now for youth summer camps

Summer may seem far away with recent winter weather, but plan now to reserve a spot for your child in UTA's summer camps for grades 1-12.

Youth can learn about careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. These may be areas that many students don't consider relevant to their lives until they see how they can use a cellphone to make a robotic elephant walk or have a glimpse of the combustion engine of the future.

Call 2-2581 for faculty and staff rates, which expire in April. Register your children on the Kids and Teens University website.

Submit comments on Principles of Community for Strategic Plan

As part of UT Arlington’s strategic planning process, President Vistasp Karbhari appointed a task force to examine how to bring the University community together and ground us in our mission of research, teaching, and public service.

The task force of faculty, staff, and students formed in August 2014. After many meetings and discussions, the members drafted the Principles of Community. These principles describe and define UT Arlington, serving as the heart and soul of our engagement with each other and the larger community we serve.

Before finalizing them, the task force and President Karbhari are seeking your input. Please read the Principles of Community draft and fill out the online comment/suggestion form by Friday, March 6.

The task force will gather your feedback to help formalize the document.

Stories of healing: The Rwandan genocide is one of three tragedies explored in the documentary Beyond Right & Wrong. A screening is set for 7 p.m. Monday, March 2, in the Rosebud Theatre of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

'Beyond Right & Wrong' looks at tragedies and forgiveness Monday

Listen to both sides of tragedy and forgiveness at a screening of Beyond Right & Wrong at 7 p.m. Monday, March 2, in the Rosebud Theatre of the E.H. Hereford University Center. The film was originally set to show Tuesday, Feb. 24.

This life-changing documentary by director Lekha Singh explores the intersections of justice and forgiveness as survivors heal from these tragedies. From the Rwandan genocide to "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, people from different sides of the violence share their stories—their anger, remorse, pain, and paths to recovery.

The free screening includes free popcorn and beverages. Read more about the Beyond Right & Wrong documentary.

The Beyond Right & Wrong fellowship website includes details on four student fellowships.

Let it snow, let it snow Amid footsteps in the snow, one student makes an angel in Friday's fluffy winter precipitation.

Women's History Month looks at 'Futuristic Females'

The Women's and Gender Studies program celebrates Women's History Month with a lecture series "Futuristic Females: Women in Science and Science Fiction."

The series kicks off at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, with a screening of Orgasm, Inc., a documentary about the quest to create a libido-enhancing pill for women. A discussion follows. Both are in Room 108 of University Hall. 

On Wednesday, March 4, Susana Morris of Auburn University will discuss "Black Women, Afrofuturism, and Feminism" at noon in the Central Library's sixth floor parlor.

Sarah Richardson of Harvard University will present "Gender and Epigenetics: Control, Intervention, and Agency at the Maternal-Fetus Nexus" at noon Friday, March 6, in the sixth floor parlor of the Central Library.

New York Times best-selling author Charlaine Harris, creator of the Sookie Stackhouse series of mystery novels that inspired the hit TV series True Blood, will speak Tuesday, March 24.

The 29th Annual Women's History Month Lecture Series calendar is on the Women's and Gender Studies website. 

Submit your nominations for outstanding employees by March 6

Now is the time to nominate a great employee or team of employees for the Outstanding Maverick Awards.

Regular full-time and part-time employees who have been employed for a minimum of two years are eligible for nomination.

Categories are professional, para-professional, and technical; administrative support; service and maintenance; administrative and professional; and team with a maximum of 10 members.

Submit the nomination form by Friday, March 6. For questions, contact Eunice Currie at 2-7091.

Attend Celebrating Maverick Spirit Benefits Fair on March 11

Learn about the benefits of working at UT Arlington at the 10th annual Celebrating Maverick Spirit Benefits Fair on Wednesday, March 11. The event is 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Bring your UTA ID and learn about benefits while enjoying door prizes and free food. The first 300 will receive a spirit item.

University departments and programs are encouraged to participate. Register online by Wednesday, March 4.

Register to volunteer at the benefits fair, sponsored by the Staff Advisory Council.

Sign up to donate at Carter Bloodcare's blood drive at the fair.

Seasons and cycles A bicyclist makes his way across campus in Friday's snow.

Be aware of tax-related phishing attacks

Tax season is in full swing and so are tax-related phishing emails and attempts to lure victims into inadvertently installing viruses.

Use good judgment and caution when clicking Web or email links or opening attachments related to tax returns. The IRS does not initiate any contact with taxpayers by email, text, or social media. 

Many messages will have an urgent tone in the subject line and contents, such as:

• Final reminder: Tax Refund Notification
• Your 2014 - IRS Tax Refund Payment
• Your IRS tax bank transfer is not approved
• Income Tax Refund REJECTED

If you receive an email that appears suspicious, send it to security@uta.edu to be investigated. Do not click on the links or open attachments.

Always be cautious about providing your personal information over the phone, especially to individuals who initiate the call. In such cases, always offer to hang up, verify the nature of call, and to call them back at a number they provide. Seek out the organization's official number and contact it directly. If you suspect attempted fraud or fall victim to such scams, contact your local law enforcement.

Monday, March 2

FabLab Workshop: Oculus Rift Register online. 5-7 p.m., UTA FabLab, first floor, Central Library. UT Arlington Libraries.

Homeless LGBTQA Youth Film See a documentary about homelessness and its effect on LGBTQA youth in America. Free. 6 p.m., Concho Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. LGBTQA Program.

Tuesday, March 3

FabLab Workshop: 3-D Printer Learn the basic operations and use of a 3-D printer with a hands-on experience either creating an object from scratch or altering a pre-made design. Register online. Free. 5 p.m., first floor, Central Library. UT Arlington Libraries.

Wednesday, March 4

Accelerating Profitable Growth Jim Ratchford of TMAC, a business-consulting program of UT Arlington, provides a fast-paced description of the application of technologies in business—ideas to improve people’s lives and expand the Texas economy. Light breakfast provided. RSVP. Free. 7-8 a.m., Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Arlington Technology Association.

Faculty Peer Review Training Become a certified peer reviewer. Register online. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Room 115, Central Library. Also, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, March 20; 1-5 p.m. Friday, March 27; 1-5 p.m. Monday, April 6. Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence.

Walter Prescott Webb Memorial Lectures The 50th Annual Walter Prescott Webb Memorial Lectures presents “Beyond Attics and Activists: Rethinking Family in Disability History.” See the schedule. E.H. Hereford University Center. Also, Thursday, March 5. History, Disability Studies, Office for Students with Disabilities, Women’s and Gender Studies, Movin’ Mavs Adapted Sports and Recreation.

Thursday, March 5

Qualitative Research Networking Noon-1 p.m., Room 415, Central Library. Register online to present on any facet of qualitative methodologies. Qualitative Research Networking.

Biology Colloquium Series Sanghoon Kang of Baylor University presents “The Response and Reaction of Microbial Community to the Changing Climates.” Free. 4 p.m. Room 124, Life Science Building. Biology.

Friday, March 6

Managing Stress in the Workplace Register online. 10 a.m.-noon, Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Tuesday, March 10

Fundamental Skills for Supervisors and Managers Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

MARK Adviser Training: Pathways to Persistence Maverick Advisers Reaching for Knowledge (MARK) program. Register online. 2-4 p.m., Room 104, Preston Hall. University Advising Center.

Coming up

Cancer Support Network at UTA Faculty and staff who have experienced or are in treatment for cancer can be part of private, respectful support group discussions. Free. 11 a.m.-noon, Room 314, Central Library. Also, March 11 and 24, April 8 and 22, May 6. Contact Jody Bailey at jbailey@uta.edu or Bruce Bower at bower@uta.edu.

Focus on Faculty: Colleen Fitzgerald Colleen Fitzgerald, professor of linguistics, discusses efforts to preserve Native American languages. Free. Noon Wednesday, March 18, sixth floor parlor, Central Library. UT Arlington Libraries, Focus on Faculty.

Human Resources Training Team Building for Supervisors, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, March 18; Performance Management Forms and Procedures, 10-11 a.m. Friday, March 20; Developing Assertive Communication Skills, 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, March 24; Performance Management Forms and Procedures, 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 25; The Art of Listening, 10 a.m.-noon Friday, March 27. Register online. Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Wine Appreciation Explore the history of wine in a four-course food and wine pairing. Call 2-2581 for faculty, staff discount fee of $80. 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, March 31. Continuing Education.

Termini Distinguished Anthropologist Lecture Cemal Pulak, the Frederick R. Mayer Faculty Professor of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University, presents "Excavating the World’s Oldest Shipwreck: Uluburun and Late Bronze Age Trade in the Mediterranean.” Free. 7 p.m., Thursday, April 2, auditorium, Architecture Building. Sociology and Anthropology.

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

Monday, March 2

Wind Symphony Concert Guest artists include the Mansfield Legacy High School Wind Ensemble. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Tuesday, March 3

Faculty Jazz Recital Performances include Dan Cavanagh, associate director of jazz studies, and Brian Mulholland, adjunct instructor of jazz bass and music business. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Wednesday, March 4

Health Fair Screenings, information, and more. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. Health Services.

Tail Waggin' Wednesday Therapy dogs from Paws with Partners available for unconditional love. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., second floor, Central Library. UT Arlington Libraries.

Friday-Saturday, March 6-7

African-American Alumni Weekend Campus tours, an evening of jazz, and the annual scholarship endowment banquet are among the events. Register online. African-American Alumni Chapter.

Ongoing

Gallery 76102: 'The Ties That Bind' Artist Kelly Ingleright-Telgenhoff's work elevates an isolated single object in her personal quest for beauty, calm, and serenity. Gallery hours noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. Through March 28. Free. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

The Gallery at UTA: 'Subject Disability' Nine artists address disability by illustrating the ways art can challenge and inform our experience of others. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Through April 4. The Gallery at UTA.

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.)