This Week in Illinois Research
Congratulations, Graduates!
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Last week, we opened end-of-the-semester celebrations with a really inspiring event: the graduation of the inaugural cohort of the Emerging Research Leaders Academy (ERLA). The group was chosen to participate in a year-long, professional development program that emphasized the leadership, management, and communications skills that are vital to leading large-scale, collaborative, interdisciplinary research projects. At graduation, each participant shared their action plan for the future. This next generation of Illinois research leaders is asking big, interdisciplinary questions, and—in the truly Illinois way—they have formed impressive networks that bridge departments and disciplines to make their vision a reality. We always say that Illinois is a uniquely interdisciplinary place, but those connections don’t just happen. ERLA is a deliberate investment in the future of the Illinois research community, and I’m grateful to IHSI for leading the effort, as well as Beckman, CI MED, IGB, CSBS, AHS, Grainger, and OPD, for developing and supporting the program. So, congratulations to the Class of 2024, ERLA edition! Thank you for being open to new ideas and learning new skills—and most importantly, for preparing to lead our campus to a bold and promising future. Sincerely, Susan |
Featured Stories
New leadership and increased visibility add up to a defining moment for CSBS
During the height of the pandemic, U.S. researchers worked around the clock to roll out a vaccine in record time. It was a triumph of scientific achievement – one capable of preventing serious illness and slowing the spread of COVID – yet nearly half of eligible Americans chose not to get a vaccine in the first nine months of availability.
Gerald Wilson joins Illinois as its first director of entrepreneurship
Turning research and innovation into tangible benefits to society has always been a priority and strength at UIUC. Now, with the hire of Gerald Wilson as Director of Entrepreneurship, the university’s commitment and impact are being elevated to new heights.
New NIH Grant to Fund Alzheimer's Research at Beckman
Jonathan Sweedler and Fan Lam will lead
Around Campus
It's Undergraduate Research Week
It's Undergraduate Research Week! Its signature event on Thursday, the Undergraduate Research Symposium, includes a record number of presentations, new modes of presentation, and increased representation of campus departments and units.
New research on organ donation from Brian Quick
According to new research on organ donation from Brian Quick, poignant ads that spark happiness or sadness can influence many listeners who are not organ donors. But the effects on potential organ donors differ dramatically depending on the beliefs listeners previously held.
Get ready for meetings with SBIR/STTR program managers
Get ready for meetings with SBIR/STTR program managers at a workshop hosted by the FAST Center. It will focus on developing a quad chart for your business idea. Register now for the April 30 event.
A new Science, Health, and Equity Series
A new Science, Health, and Equity Series kicks off April 30 with a lecture on “Unintended Consequences of Premature Black Death” that will connect the dots between preventable maternal morbidity and mortality, infant mortality, and premature Black death.
Helicopter-based time-domain electromagnetics to understand the Mahomet Aquifer
Scientists at PRI are using helicopter-based time-domain electromagnetics to understand the Mahomet Aquifer, with implications for irrigation, domestic water use, and economic growth in the region.
Seven faculty members have been named AAAS Fellows
Seven faculty members have been named AAAS Fellows—among "502 scientists, engineers and innovators recognized for their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements by the world’s largest general scientific society."
National Landscape
Webinar on NSF's new mentoring requirements for graduate students
The Council of Graduate Schools is offering a webinar on Tuesday focused on NSF's new mentoring requirements for graduate students.
The Department of Defense has sworn in its first Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer
The Department of Defense has sworn in its first Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer, charged with accelerating the Pentagon’s adoption of data, analytics, and AI.
A new vision for high-quality preschool curricula
A report from the National Academies lays out a new vision for high-quality preschool curricula that support equitable early education and calls for the development of new curricula around this vision.
The ocean has now broken temperature records every day for more than a year
The ocean has now broken temperature records every day for more than a year, according to climate scientists in the New York Times.
The EPA issued its first-ever national drinking water standard
The EPA issued its first-ever national drinking water standard to protect people from PFAS pollution.
Michael Bragg shared his insights with Business Insider
Michael Bragg shared his insights with Business Insider on the role composite materials may play in future blended-wing body aircraft. The technologies are crucial as aerospace companies look to reduce the cost and environmental…