VOL. 37, NO. 14 - MARCH 30, 2006

Center helps students hone skills

Photo by Derrick G.L. Kohuth MSU nursing student Heath Elenbaas (l) and osteopathic medicine student Jennifer Loussia (r), demonstrate the use of a mannequin that simulates medical emergencies during the Learning and Assessment Center’s grand opening March 16. In the background, keeping an eye on the students, is College of Nursing assistant professor Kathy Dontje. The high-tech center is a collaborative venture, with the colleges of Human Medicine, Nursing, Osteopathic Medicine and Veterinary Medicine all active participants.

A new center that is being dubbed a “flight simulator” for health professions students is now open for business at MSU. (Full Story)

Goldwater Scholars to pursue research careers

MSU’s three new Goldwater Scholars have been involved in research since they started at the university, and plan to draw on their educational and new scholarship opportunities to enhance their scientific knowledge. (Full Story)

'U' names new head of federal relations

Mark Burnham has been named associate vice president for governmental affairs at MSU, effective April 1. He currently serves as director of federal relations for research and assistant director of the University of Michigan Washington office. (Full Story)

IMPACT college station of the year again

The Michigan Association of Broadcasters and Broadcast Music Inc. have named MSU’s WDBM – or IMPACT 89FM as it is commonly known – the college radio station of the year. (Full Story)

'U' scientists shake out basis for rice domestication

MSU scientists have identified the genetic mutation that reduces grain shattering during rice domestication – research that will improve production of the crop that feeds more than half of the world’s population. (Full Story)

Researchers say Michigan tourism spending up

Bucking a seemingly unending stream of negative news stories about the business climate in Michigan, researchers at MSU are reporting that at least one Michigan industry, tourism, experienced modest growth in 2005.
(Full Story)

Taxol enters its next generation

As the effective cancer-treatment drug Taxol enters its next generation, MSU has announced discoveries which point to both environmentally friendly ways to produce more Taxol, and ultimately innovations to produce a more potent second-generation drug. (Full Story)

'U' establishes Office of Bio-based Technologies

The next step in MSU’s commitment to leading the development of a bio-based economy across the state is the establishment last week of its Office of Bio-based Technologies. Steven Pueppke, assistant vice president for research and graduate studies and professor of plant pathology, will serve as the first director. (Full Story)

Students compose winning essays

Three MSU students were honored for their winning entries in the university’s third annual international student essay contest. (Full Story)

Gift promotes youth interest in sciences, engineering

The Shell Students Interested in Technology, Engineering and Science (SITES) Program was recently established at MSU with a $67,000 contribution from Shell Oil Co. (Full Story)

Physics discovery: Nuclei still full of surprises, say 'U' scientists

Scientists at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at MSU have reproduced the processes inside stars in a laboratory to produce one isotope – Copper 57 – that revealed a mystery in one of its subatomic cousins, Nickel 56. (Full Story)

Conference to explore teaching of classic texts through games

University and college faculty and administrators will have the chance to learn about “Reacting to the Past,” an innovative teaching tool, during a two-day conference in April. Participants will engage in a series of elaborate games in which they are assigned roles with victory objectives informed by classic texts in the history of ideas. (Full Story)

University names Aronoff as first Serling Israel studies chairperson

Yael Aronoff, a senior associate at Columbia University’s Institute of War and Peace Studies, has been named the first Michael and Elaine Serling and Friends Israel Studies Chair at MSU. (Full Story)

MSU physicians recall mission to Mexico

A team of health-care workers, including MSU faculty and students, recently returned home from Playa del Carmen, Mexico, after spending a week providing volunteer medical care for the people of that area. Among us were physicians, nurses, surgical technicians, physical therapists and speech–language pathologists from MSU, Sparrow Hospital, and other institutions, all of whom provided a variety of services to the people of the region. (Full Story)

Campus conference to examine 'The Black Scholar and the State of Black America'

An upcoming conference at MSU will bring together scholars, professionals, community leaders and graduate students in wide-ranging discussions related to the role of black scholars and black studies programs on American campuses and to the current state of black America. (Full Story)

WJR, MSU to host benefit golf tournament

MSU and News/Talk 760 WJR radio are officially launching their new partnership by joining forces to present a special golf event to benefit the For The Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization. (Full Story)

WKAR-TV named Public Television Station of the Year

WKAR-TV was honored as Michigan Public Television Station of the Year by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters at their annual award Broadcast Excellence ceremony held March 14 in Lansing. (Full Story)