News

Reich analyzes data for pediatric infection prevention study

Nicholas Reich, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, is the lead biostatistician for a team of researchers who recently reported results of one of the largest infection prevention trials ever conducted in children, that daily baths with an antiseptic soap can reduce the risk of bloodstream infection in critically ill hospitalized children. Investigators at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center led the work at five pediatric hospitals. Findings were reported in a recent issue of the prestigious journal, The Lancet.
 
Reich and colleagues collected data from more than 4,000 children

Anthropology graduate student awarded scholarship for research in Italy

Anthropology graduate student Johanna Mitterhofer has been awarded a $11,000 Postgraduate Research Scholarship from the Autonomous Province of Bozen in Italy. 

In her dissertation research, Mitterhofer plans to investigate how cross-border projects promoted by the European Union's InterReg policies are taken up by different groups within South Tyrol, an ethnically and linguistically diverse border region in northern Italy. 

Mitterhofer developed and initiated her research project as a student participant in the Department of Anthropology's European Field Studies program, as part of the

Maryland researcher to examine neural networks model of culture

Christine A. Bachrach of the Maryland Population Research Center will speak on “Can Meanings be Modeled? Exploring a Neural Networks Model of Culture” on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. in 904-08 Campus Center as part of the Center for Research on Families’ Tay Gavin Erickson Lecture Series.
 
Concepts of culture have undergone dramatic transformations in recent decades, from institutional models that emphasize values, norms and roles, to “tool kit” models that emphasize individuals’ freedom to choose from among many different cultural scripts, values, worldviews and more.

Fermann gives STEM talk on 'The Science of Craft'

Justin Fermann, senior lecturer in Chemistry, will present a Tuesday STEM Talk, “The Science of Craft," on Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. in 138 Hasbrouck.

According to Fermann, learning scientific principles and skills needed to understand and master the crafts of blacksmithing, ceramics, brewing and glassblowing.

Doctoral oral exams for Feb. 19-22

The graduate dean invites all graduate faculty to attend the final oral examinations for the doctoral candidates scheduled as follows:

Ali Eslami, Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering. Wednesday, Feb. 20, 1:15 p.m., 201 Marcus Hall, Conference Room. Dissertation: “A Non-Asymptotic Approach to the Analysis of Communication Networks: From Error Correcting Codes to Network Properties.” Hossein Pishro-Nik, chr.

Craig Versek, Ph.D., Physics. Thursday, Feb. 21, 1:15 p.m., 409 Hasbrouck. Dissertation: “Charge Transport Studies of Proton and Ion Conducting Materials.” Mark Tuominen, chr.

Workshop for employees who are caregivers at home

"Prepare to Care: Essential Skills for Elder Caregiving,"  a two-session workshop for employees who are caregivers at home, is being offered through the Labor/Management Workplace Education program on Feb. 28 and March 7 from 10:30 to noon in 115 South College.

Many employees have two jobs: work at UMass Amherst and work as caregivers for family.

Campus and Community Coalition is focus of chamber breakfast

Representatives of the Campus and Community Coalition to Reduce High-Risk Drinking (CCC) will discuss its efforts at the next monthly breakfast of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 7:15-9 a.m., at the Red Barn at Hampshire College. Admission is $15 for chamber members and $20 for non-members. The event is sponsored by Amherst Office Park and UMass Five College Credit Union.

CCC co-chairs Sally Linowski, assistant dean of students, and Lisa Queenin, the director of Community and Regional Legislative Relations, will join other CCC members for a panel discussion about

Undergraduate Commencement set for May 10 at McGuirk Alumni Stadium

Undergraduate Commencement will take place at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on May 10, according to Nancy Buffone, executive director of External Relations and University Events.
 
Although some construction work is scheduled at the stadium, Buffone says the ceremony will remain the same except the stage is being shifted to the south end of the field, a change that was already planned.
 
More details will be announced in the weeks before the ceremony. In the meantime, questions about Commencement can be directed to Buffone or External Relations and University Events at 577-1101.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Center for Women & Community hosts 40th anniversary gala

The Center for Women & Community (CWC) will mark its 40th anniversary with a gala celebrating women’s achievements on Friday, Feb. 22 from 7-10 p.m. in the Amherst Room of the Campus Center.
 
Formerly known as the Everywoman’s Center, CWC is one of the oldest continually operating women’s centers in the country. According to Everywoman’s Center: Evolution of an Alternative, a “herstory” penned by its founders, an organized collective of Pioneer Valley women approached UMass Amherst in the early 1970s about the educational and vocational needs of area women.
 
The Everywoman’s Center was

'Vagina Monologues' staged at Bowker Auditorium Feb. 15-17

In celebration of the 15th anniversary of the V-Day organization, “One Billion Rising” has been launched, encouraging one billion people to rise up and state why they are dedicated to ending violence against women. At UMass Amherst this semester, a group of women is putting together a production of “The Vagina Monologues” in support of the “One Billion Rising” campaign.

Performances take place at Bowker Auditorium on Friday, Feb. 15 and Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 17 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $5 for students, low-income and seniors, $10 for the general public at the Fine Arts

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