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Illinois professor to receive National Medal of Science
Charles P. Slichter, Research Professor of Physics and Center for Advanced Study Emeritus Professor of Physics and Chemistry at the University of Illinois, has been selected as a recipient of the 2007 National Medal of Science. Full story |
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clarification
The article “Chronic exposure to estradiol impairs some cognitive functions,” that appeared in the Aug. 7, 2008, issue of “Inside Illinois,” stated that a Women’s Health Initiative study of hormone replacement therapy tested the effects of estrogen and progesterone on post-menopausal women. In fact, the hormones used in the study were conjugated equine estrogens (CEE; common trade name is Premarin) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) a synthetic progestin (such as Provera). These drugs are different formulations of the naturally occurring hormones and thus may have very different biological activities in women’s bodies. |
| RESEARCH |
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Confidence a key to recent economic initiatives, UI expert says
Restoring confidence in the sputtering U.S. economy is at the heart of recent moves to shore up the nation’s lagging financial and housing markets, a University of Illinois economist says. Full story |
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Climate change could be impetus for wars, other conflicts, expert says
Hurricane season has arrived, sparking renewed debate regarding possible links between global warming and the frequency and severity of hurricanes, heat waves and other extreme weather events. Meanwhile, a related discussion has ensued among international-security experts who believe climate-change-related damage to global ecosystems and the resulting competition for natural resources may increasingly serve as triggers for wars and other conflicts in the future. Full story |
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Limits on futures trading could boost gas prices, expert says
Proposals to reign in wallet-draining gasoline prices by curbing speculation in oil markets would likely increase costs at the pump instead of trimming them, a UI economist says. Full story |
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Killer pulses help characterize special surfaces
Detecting deadly fumes in subways, toxic gases in chemical spills, and hidden explosives in baggage is becoming easier and more efficient with a measurement technique called surface-enhanced Raman scattering. To further improve the technique’s sensitivity, scientists must design better scattering surfaces, and more effective ways of evaluating them. Researchers at the UI have devised a method to evaluate substrate surfaces by using a series of killer laser pulses. Full story |
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Molecular sleuths track evolution through the ribosome
A new study of the ribosome, the cell’s protein-building machinery, sheds light on the oldest branches of the evolutionary tree of life and suggests that differences in ribosomal structure among the three main branches of that tree are “molecular fossils” of the early evolution of protein synthesis. Full story |
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Miscanthus can meet U.S. biofuels goal using less land than corn or switchgrass
In the largest field trial of its kind in the United States, researchers have determined that the giant perennial grass Miscanthus x giganteus outperforms current biofuels sources – by a lot. Using Miscanthus as a feedstock for ethanol production in the U.S. could significantly reduce the acreage dedicated to biofuels while meeting government biofuels production goals, the researchers report. Full story |
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Diversity among parasitic wasps is even greater than suspected
A tiny wasp that lays its eggs under the skin of unwitting caterpillars belongs to one of the most diverse groups of insects on Earth. Now researchers report that its diversity is even higher than previously thought. Full story
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| CAMPUS |
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Scientists learn business of research
A new certificate program being offered on campus intends to help life scientists protect and commercialize their ideas. Full story |
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I Hotel offers luxury, close to campus
Football fans and other campus visitors have a new place to stay this fall that is close to the action at Memorial Stadium. The I Hotel and Conference Center at the corner of St. Mary’s Road and First Street opened Aug. 11. Prior to official opening day it had already hosted two large weddings, an anniversary party and a luncheon for the Women’s Quarterback Club. Full story |
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New Faces 2008
Among the newcomers to the Urbana campus are tenure/tenure track faculty members whose appointments began this summer or fall. Inside Illinois continues its tradition of introducing some of the new faculty members on campus and will feature at least two new colleagues in each fall issue.
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Promotions, tenure announced
In July, the UI Board of Trustees approved faculty promotions that became effective at the beginning of the 2008-2009 appointment year.
Forty-six promotions to professor and 24 to associate professor without change in tenure were approved. In addition, three promotions to professor and 65 to associate professor on indefinite tenure were granted. In addition, three faculty members received tenure without change in rank.
The full listing (PDF format) compiled for the July trustees meeting is online at |
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New business course seeks to instill professional responsibility
Handshakes and other people skills, ethics training and social awareness are just a few aspects of a back-to-basics business course that will begin this fall at the UI, aimed at instilling professional responsibility to guide students through their careers. Full story |
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Asian Educational Media Service expands outreach to 118 libraries in East Central Illinois
One of the UI’s many hidden gems, the Asian Educational Media Service, recently became much more visible – and accessible to people based in East Central Illinois. Full story |
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Newest canine officer off to great start in K-9 career
Quinty, the UI police department’s newest canine officer, is only 1 1/2 years old – in human years, that is – but he’s already taking a bite out of crime. Full story |
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Faculty art displayed through Oct. 5
The School of Art and Design’s annual Faculty Art Exhibition is on display at the Krannert Art Museum. Among the nation’s oldest, continuously running faculty exhibitions, the show gives art and design professors the opportunity to share their most recent creations with the campus and local communities. All manner of art is represented, from painting, photography and sculpture to installation art, glass and graphic design. The show runs through Oct. 5. See photos |
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Union members protest on campus
See photos |
| DEPARTMENTS |
| achievements A report on honors,
awards, appointments and other outstanding achievements of faculty
and staff members. More |
brief notes
WILL-TV documentary reveals history of Memorial Stadium
… CAS announces fall lectures … Annual Meeting of the Faculty is Sept. 22 …Head of NRC to visit campus Sept. 11
… Vet Med hosts fall seminar series …
Anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks observed … Winning books displayed through Sept. 19 at UI Press … CTE can help you improve your teaching skills
… Japanese architecture featured at I space art gallery …
Participants sought for Lincoln series … IPRH announces free fall film series …Space telescope astrophysicist to talk
… Favorite take-along foods featured …More |
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On the Job: Linda Kemplin
Linda Kemplin is a human resources manager in the department of crop sciences. More |
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A Minute With …
… Brian Gaines The fall presidential campaign will soon be in full swing, following successive Democratic and Republican conventions that run through Sept. 4. Brian Gaines is a professor of political science who studies elections, polling, public opinion and voting behavior, and has been closely following this year’s campaign.
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calendar
of events |
• UI Web Calendar
• Inside
IL Calendar
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| job market |
Careers and Employment at the UI
Academic Human Resources
Suite 420, 807 S. Wright St., MC-310 • 333-6747
Listings of academic professional and faculty member positions can be reviewed during regular business hours or online.
Staff Human Resources
52 E. Gregory Drive, MC-562 • 333-3101
Information about staff employment is online.
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deaths
Elmer Antonsen, 78, died Aug. 25 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Antonsen was professor emeritus of Germanic languages and literatures and of linguistics, and served sequentially as head of those two departments. He taught at the UI for 29 years, retiring in 1996. Memorials: Arthritis Foundation.
Willis Nels Bruce, 91, died Aug. 26 at his home in Champaign. Bruce, a retired professor of agricultural entomology, worked at the UI for 13 years, retiring in 1979.
Francis Dilley, 85, died Aug. 23 at Provena Covenant Medical Center in Urbana. Dilley worked for the UI School of Life Sciences for 35 years, retiring in 1982 as an instrument and mechanical technician II. After retirement, he continued to work for the department for 14 years. Memorials: Living Word Church.
Wanda Franklin, 91, died Aug. 16 at Canterbury Ridge in Urbana. Franklin worked at the UI for 15 years, retiring in 1981 as head cook of Housing. Memorials: Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, 600 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Urbana, IL 61801.
Nathaniel L. Gage, 91, died Aug. 17 at Stanford University Medical Center. Gage taught educational psychology at the UI for 15 years, retiring in 1962.
Helen Nowning, 98, died Aug. 20 at The Carle Arbours in Savoy. Nowning worked at the UI for 28 years, retiring in 1978 as secretary IV with UI Extension. She continued working after retirement for nine more years with the same unit. Memorials: Illinois 4-H Foundation, 106 Taft House, 1401 S. Maryland Drive, Urbana, IL 61801.
Velda Rahn, 85, died Aug. 15 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon. Rahn was a head cook at the UI for many years.
death
archives |
