ÐÔÊӽ紫ý

From martian rocks to the human brain, the opportunities for research and innovation at ÐÔÊӽ紫ý have run the gamut this July.

As NASA’s Perseverance Rover launched into space on July 30, many ÐÔÊӽ紫ý scientists watched with anticipation, as discoveries from the Mars mission could have implications for their own work on campus. And just as ÐÔÊӽ紫ý unveiled a new brain research center, one professor led an extensive review of Alzheimer’s drug treatments, showing signs of hope for the neurodegenerative disease.

ÐÔÊӽ紫ý also responded to nationwide racial unrest and calls for social justice by creating an  Anti-Black Racism Task Force to address myriad issues surrounding racial equity on campus.  To cap off the month, the campus welcomed a new university president, who will begin the role right as the fall 2020 semester kicks off in a few weeks.

These stories and more make up the latest edition of ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Newsmakers. 

ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Welcomes New President

On July 23, the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents appointed Keith Whitfield — previously the provost, senior vice president of academic affairs, and professor of psychology at Wayne State University in Michigan — as ÐÔÊӽ紫ý’s new president. Whitfield will begin Aug. 24 and becomes ÐÔÊӽ紫ý's 11th permanent president. An experienced university administrator and prolific scholar, Whitfield is a psychologist with expertise on the social, psychological, and cultural factors related to cognition and healthy aging.

• Associated Press, , , KNXT 840, ,

Creative Solutions Arise During the Pandemic

COVID-19 has done more than alter everyone’s way of life — amid pandemic worries and cabin fever, social distancing has catalyzed new and innovative solutions that may improve work and personal life to even greater efficiencies.

• In a interview, ÐÔÊӽ紫ý’s MBA Programs Director Anjala Krishen identifies the opportunities available to business schools during COVID-19.
• Director of Hospitality and Esports Laboratory Robert Rippee tells the that the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of new technologies in resorts.
• Lee Business School is hosting a $1M competition to encourage safety innovations during the pandemic. Leith Martin, executive director of the Troesh Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, explains to the ÐÔÊӽ紫ý’s involvement in the competition.
• Christine Bergman, a professor in the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, explains to the how important and revolutionary the concept of ghost kitchens is – and will be – during and after the pandemic.

Space Talk with ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Experts

A comet visible from Earth once every 6,000 years. An ongoing mission to send NASA’s Mars rover to the red planet. From commentating on the best stargazing locations to becoming the select few to see Martian rocks, our ÐÔÊӽ紫ý experts have it all:

: Health physics professor Francis Cucinotta, and geoscience professors Libby Hausrath, Arya Udry, and Chris Adcock explain how Martian rocks from the rover mission may help advance their research.

ÐÔÊӽ紫ý geoscientist Libby Hausrath explains her role as one of 10 scientists tapped by NASA to help select the samples that will be returned to Earth from the Mars 2020 Mission. 

• (), , ()

ÐÔÊӽ紫ý geoscientist Arya Udry weighs in on the Mars 2020 mission:

• , ,

ÐÔÊӽ紫ý astrophysicist Jason Steffen and physics professor Michael Pravica weigh in on NEOWISE:

• (),

ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Moves COVID-19 Testing Operation

As the summer heat intensifies, ÐÔÊӽ紫ý has relocated its on-campus COVID-19 testing operations from curbside to inside the Thomas and Mack Center. The Thomas & Mack Strip View Pavilion site, which is being operated by Clark County, UMC and the Nevada National Guard in partnership with ÐÔÊӽ紫ý and University Police Services, replaces the drive-thru site that had been operating in the ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Tropicana parking garage since May 27. The new site will open Aug. 11.

• , ,

Groundbreaking Research in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s has been an unsolved mystery for scientists since its discovery more than a century ago. However, in recent years, research professor Dr. Jeffrey Cummings from the School of Integrated Health Sciences has led groundbreaking research into what causes the disease – and a potential cure. He recently completed a five-year review of all Alzheimer’s drugs in the pipeline and comments frequently on new developments in the treatment of the disease.

• Science Magazine, EurekAlert!, Business Insider 

ÐÔÊӽ紫ý to Implement Resources for Racial Equity

Over the past few months, ÐÔÊӽ紫ý, like many other institutions around the country, has responded to calls for social and racial justice. This month, ÐÔÊӽ紫ý established the Anti-Black Racism Task Force to proactively address issues of racism and hate, to promote inclusion and understanding, and to support students, faculty, and staff of color. Meanwhile, faculty experts have been called upon to offer their expertise on racism and the current Black Lives Matter movement.  

Javon Johnson, director of African American & African Diaspora Studies at ÐÔÊӽ紫ý, weighs in on ÐÔÊӽ紫ý’s new task force: 

• , ,

Tyler D. Parry, assistant professor of African American and African Diaspora Studies, talks about racism, police brutality, and the Black Lives Matter movement: 

• , , , , ,

COVID-19 Expert Roundup

The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to make headlines throughout the summer, and with it comes new questions on how to stay safe via social distancing. ÐÔÊӽ紫ý experts from multiple areas of campus provide more tips and personal advice on how they respond to the pandemic, professionally and personally:

• Epidemiologist and public health professor Brian Labus speaks on myriad COVID-19 issues:
  • , , , , Las Vegas Weekly, , ()
• interviews ÐÔÊӽ紫ý faculty on what precautions they’ve been making at home and in professional settings.
• ÐÔÊӽ紫ý biochemistry professor Ernesto Abel-Santos speaks with the about potentially hazardous materials used in hand sanitizers, and how to identify such ingredients.
• ÐÔÊӽ紫ý economist Stephen Miller explains to that a second stimulus package may be needed to stimulate the economy.
• Marc Kahn, dean of the ÐÔÊӽ紫ý School of Medicine, hints that mother’s advice may come in handy during the pandemic in a .
• Professor of surgery Deborah Kuhls and Dean of the ÐÔÊӽ紫ý School of Medicine Marc Kahn, speaks with and about the importance of wearing a mask, even in extreme heat.
• Kinesiology professor John Mercer explains to the how to exercise safely in the outdoor heat. 

General Expert Roundup

• ÐÔÊӽ紫ý climate scientist Matthew Lachniet discusses his new study that links the Arctic and tropical Pacific warming to ancient climate records with the , and .
• Nancy Lough, Title IX, and Gender Equity researcher, offers her insight to Reuters about strong television ratings for women’s soccer and basketball.
• The quotes ÐÔÊӽ紫ý addictions expert Gloria Wong-Padoongpatt about rising fentanyl deaths.
• Michael Kagan, director of the ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Immigration Clinic, speaks to and about the future of the DACA program.
• Emma Frances Bloomfield, assistant professor in communication studies, speaks to about how to convince older people to be less wasteful.
• Tax law professor Francine Lipman is quoted in about the 1031 exchange.