News

Conference examines Americas in the Renaissance

UMass Amherst and Holyoke Community College scholars will speak at "The Americas in the Renaissance Conference" on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Renaissance Center.

The talks include:

Barry Levy, History, “When the Yankee was Fierce: Militarism in Massachusetts.”

Kate Freedman, History, “Cultivating Inner and Outer Plantations: Quaker Networks of Family, Faith, and Trade in the British Atlantic.”

Mason Lowance, English, “Millennialism in Early American Literature and Theology.”

George Ashley, “The Native People of Southern New England In the 16th and 17th Centuries.”

The

Political scientists to assess elections for Retired Faculty Association

Ray La Raja and Brian F. Schaffner of the Department of Political Science will speak on “U.S. Elections 2012: an initial assessment” at the Retired Faculty Association meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. in 101 Campus Center.

The talk will be preceded by coffee and tea at 10 a.m. and business and announcements at 10:30.

Flyer: Announce Nov. 2012 meeting.pdf

Retired Faculty Association website

 

Researchers propose new model of RNA transcription initiation

For years scientists have worked to understand molecular events at the initiation of RNA transcription, when special proteins called RNA polymerases, assigned to make a new hemoglobin molecule for example, kick-start the process. Now Chemistry professor Craig Martin and molecular biology doctoral student Luis Ramirez-Tapia have isolated these first steps and provide a new model for how and why it works.
 
Martin says, “People knew these steps happened, but we’re explaining why they happen and the consequences.” Using a combination of fluorescence imaging techniques in synthetic DNA, the

Sport Management alumni to discuss roles as MLB general managers

The Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management is hosting “Covering the Bases – An Evening with our GMs” on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Campus Center Auditorium.
 
Major League Baseball general managers and Sport Management alumni Chris Antonetti of the Cleveland Indians, Ben Cherington of the Boston Red Sox and Neal Huntington of the Pittsburgh Pirates will return to campus for a question-and-answer session moderated by ESPNBoston.com reporter and alumnus Mike Reiss.
 
“Covering the Bases – An Evening with our GM’s” will feature the three front office executives providing

Doctoral oral exams for Nov. 13-16

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

Elena Garcia Frazier, Ph.D., Spanish and Portuguese. Friday, Nov. 16, 8:30 a.m., 301 Herter Hall. Dissertation: “Concept-Based Teaching and Spanish Modality in Heritage Language Learners: A Vygotskyan Approach.” Patricia Gubitosi & Eduardo Negueruela, co-chrs.

Stefan Dickert, Ph.D., Physics. Friday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m., 409 Hasbrouck.

Alumnus Patrick Tighe to discuss career in architecture

Internationally recognized architect Patrick Tighe ’89 will trace the development of his award-winning firm on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. in the Bernie Dallas Room, Goodell.
 
In his talk, Tighe will describe the evolution of his firm over the past 10 years and how it combines new technologies, fabrication methods, construction techniques and building materials to yield relevant, forward-thinking architecture.

His diverse work ranges from hand-crafted masonry structures to robotically carved interiors, affordable housing projects in Los Angeles and ultra-luxurious villas in Morocco.

The

Researchers reveal structure of human enzyme, offering hope to children with rare metabolic disorders

Considered separately, inherited metabolic disorders such as Tay-Sachs disease and mucopolysaccharidosis 4A (MPS 4A) are exceedingly rare, complex and difficult to study. But taken as a group, the collection of more than 50 lysosomal storage diseases become more common, affecting approximately 1 in 7,000 births, and lessons learned about any one can be applied to the others.
 
Now a team of structural biologists led by Scott Garman of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has again moved the field forward by revealing the structure of human galactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS), the lysosomal enzyme

UMass Press publishes Story's book on Jonathan Edwards

“Jonathan Edwards and the Gospel of Love,” by Ronald Story, professor emeritus of History, has been published by the University of Massachusetts Press.
 
Edwards has long epitomized the Puritan preacher as fiery scold, fixated on the inner struggle of the soul and the eternal flames of hell. In his book, Story offers a fundamentally different view of Edwards, revealing a profoundly social minister who preached a gospel of charity and community bound by love.

The first chapters trace Edwards’s life and impact, examine his reputation as an intellectual, Calvinist, and revivalist, and highlight

Thanksgiving hosts needed for international students

The International Programs Office is inviting staff, faculty and friends around town to host international students for Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 22.

Far away from home, international students will really appreciate a taste of American home life during the Thanksgiving holiday. Contact Richard Yam to host international students for a Thanksgiving dinner, and note the maximum number of students you can host.
 

Nutrition faculty present at food security conference in Lowell

Lorraine Cordeiro and Jerusha Nelson Peterman of the Nutrition Department spoke at the "Food Security and Healthy Living" conference held Oct. 26 at the UMass Lowell Inn and Conference Center.
 
Cordeiro studies food security and the connections between high risk health behaviors and hunger in multiple social and cultural contexts. Her research largely focuses on adolescents and young adults.
Peterman’s current research focuses primarily on dietary practices in vulnerable immigrant populations, including refugees.

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