News

Bryan appointed to new post of associate provost for personnel

John G. Bryan of the University of Cincinnati has been named to the newly created position of associate provost for personnel, according to Provost James V. Staros.
 
In a Dec. 13 e-mail to all faculty, Staros said the new post was created to consolidate major aspects of the jobs held by Associate Chancellor Susan Pearson, who has managed the contract with the Massachusetts Society of Professors, and Donna Marino, director of Academic Personnel. Pearson is retiring and Marino plans to retire next summer, he said.
 
Bryan, who has served as Cincinnati’s vice provost for academic personnel and

To outsmart malarial drug resistance, researchers develop new whole-plant strategy

Malaria brings misery and death to millions in the developing world each year, and fighting it keeps medical researchers up at night because the mosquito-borne parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which causes the deadliest form of the disease, has developed resistance to every drug thrown at it. Resistance has cut short the useful life of nearly every therapy tried so far, experts say.
 
But now molecular parasitologist Stephen Rich has led a research team who report a promising new low-cost combined therapy with a much higher chance of outwitting P. falciparum than current modes.

Obituary: William Pleppo, retired Physical Plant plumber/steamfitter

William Pleppo, 89, of Hadley, a retired plumber/steamfitter for Mechanical Maintenance at Physical Plant, died Dec. 19 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

Born in Amherst, he graduated from Smith Vocational High School. After school he entered into the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War.

He worked at Westinghouse in Springfield, and then at Physical Plant for 35 years until his retirement in 1986.
 
He leaves his wife Frances, daughter Karen Ann Pleppo and his sister.

The funeral will be Saturday, Dec. 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley.

University mileage reimbursement rate for 2013

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that the standard mileage reimbursement rate for employees using their cars on university business will be 56.5 cents per mile effective Jan. 1, according to controller Robert A. Liebowitz.

In addition, the rate for deductible medical or moving expenses will be 24 cents per mile, also effective Jan. 1.

 

Doctoral oral exams for Dec. 31 to Jan. 4

No final oral exams are scheduled for this week.

Rose chosen as Upward Bound program director

Alumnus Tyson Rose has been named program director for the campus’s revitalized Upward Bound initiative, according to Jean Kim, vice chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life.
 
In a Dec. 13 e-mail to faculty and staff, Kim said Upward Bound is a federally funded TRIO program that serves high school students from low-income families, and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree.

Flags lowered for Sen. Daniel Inouye

In accordance with President Obama's proclamation, Gov. Deval L. Patrick has ordered that the U.S. and Commonwealth flags be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings until sunset Friday, Dec. 21, in honor of U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii, who died Dec.17.

SPHHS toy drive brightens holidays for children at Springfield's Square One

The School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS) collected more than 200 toys to benefit the children at Square One, the Springfield-based early childhood education program whose building was damaged in a gas explosion last month.

Together, students, faculty, and staff in each of the school's four departments, along with many others throughout the campus community, donated toys for children ages 15 months to 5 years.

SPHHS organizers thanked everyone who participated in the toy drive and helped make a difference in a child's life this holiday season.

Photo: School of Public Health and

Gerstel recognized as Spotlight Scholar

Distinguished Professor Naomi Gerstel of the Sociology Department, whose research has examined gender inequality, work, marriage, and how race and class shape caregiving and the extended family, has been recognized as a Spotlight Scholar.

Gerstel, who joined the faculty in 1978, has been cited in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Washington Post and The Chronicle of Higher Education, and on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Charlie Rose and Good Morning America.

Read more about Gerstel’s career and research

Climate model is first to study effects of Arctic hurricanes

Though it seems like an oxymoron, Arctic hurricanes happen, complete with a central “eye,” extreme low barometric pressure and towering 30-foot waves that can sink small ships and coat metal platforms with thick ice, threatening oil and gas exploration. Now climate scientists in the Geosciences Department and in England report the first conclusive evidence that Arctic hurricanes, also known as polar lows, play a significant role in driving ocean water circulation and climate.
 
Results point to potentially cooler conditions in Europe and North America in the 21st century than other models

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