News

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.

Science Cafe looks at microbes' role on tree of life

Laura Katz, professor of biological sciences at Smith College, will speak on “Microbes Shake the Tree of Life” at a Science Café on Monday, Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Esselon Café in Hadley.
 
Katz will discuss her work exploring the position and influence of microbes on the tree of life. Microbes, she reminds us, have dominated Earth’s history and represent the bulk of biodiversity and biomass on our planet, yet much remains to be learned about microbial life. Light snacks will be provided and drinks will be available for purchase.

Visiting Writers Series hosts reading by Noy Holland

The Visiting Writers Series will host a reading by English professor Noy Holland on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. in Memorial Hall.
 
Holland, who directs the MFA Program for Poets and Writers, is the author of The Spectacle of the Body, What Begins with Bird, and Swim for the Little One First. She is the recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the University of Florida and the Bread Loaf Writers Conference.
 
Visiting Writers Series

UMCA exhibits recent acquisitions

The University Museum of Contemporary Art is exhibiting "Recent Acquisitions," featuring a number of important works received during the past year, from Nov. 15 through Dec. 9.
 
The exhibition honors and celebrates the donors and supporters who have made possible the growth of the archive, as well as the artists who represent the vitality and richness of art-making today. Some of the artists included in the exhibition are David Goldblatt, Stephen Petegorsky, Avery Preesman and Robert Mapplethorpe.
 
Read more
 
Image: Stephen Petegorsky's Corn Debris on Snow, 2007.
 
 

STEM talk focuses on online course planning and implementation

Joan Thormann of Lesley University will speak on “Nuts and Bolts of Planning and Implementing your Online Course” at a STEM Talk on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 4 p.m. in 138 Hasbrouck Lab.
 
Thormann will describe strategies to support online course development and teaching that have proven to make the online experience engaging and satisfying for both students and the faculty member. Techniques to enhance student participation such as optimizing introductions, using targeted grading systems and voice conferencing will be presented.

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