MONDAY, MARCH 5 – SUNDAY, MARCH 11
RESEARCH
UNDERSTANDING ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE – With a new grant from the National Institutes of Health, researchers at UA and Spring Hill College hope their study of a common defense mechanism in bacteria will aid a class of antibiotics in the battle against medicine-resistant bacteria. For assistance, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-4328 or adam.jones@ua.edu.
BEST BETS
ECOCAR READY FOR DEBUT – A student team transforming a Chevy Camaro into a hybrid electric car will show off the car and some of its capabilities to the media Friday, March 9, at 10 a.m. at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport. The national competition finishes in May, and students are preparing this semester. Media may ride in the car and interview student team members. For assistance, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-4328 or adam.jones@ua.edu.
FULBRIGHT SUCCESS — UA has once again been recognized as a top producing institution for Fulbright U.S. Student Awards, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. Fifteen of 47 UA applicants received the award for 2017–2018, one of the highest winning percentages in the nation. This is the second time in the past three years UA has been recognized as a top Fulbright U.S. Student Program producer. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers grants for independent study and research and for English teaching assistantships overseas. The highly competitive program selects approximately 1,500 award recipients from more than 10,000 applicants each year. For more information, contact Richard LeComte, communications, at richard.lecomte@ua.edu or 205-348-3782.
MAKING NEWS
MORE ARMED OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS NOT GUARANTEED DETERRENT – Perhaps drowned out in the debate over arming K-12 teachers is the idea of expanding funding for more school resource officers. While increasing the number of trained security officers per campus is “far safer than armed teachers” in terms of unintended consequences, there isn’t compelling evidence that more SROs would have a deterrent effect, said Dr. Adam Lankford, a UA criminologist. “… There were armed officers on site for Columbine, Orlando and Parkland who failed to stop the shooter,” he said. “Additionally, because many offenders are suicidal and expect to be shot and killed, they wouldn’t be deterred by places with armed guards or gun-toting citizens.” Lankford is available to discuss the topic and can be reached at 205-348-9901 or adam.lankford@ua.edu. For assistance, contact David Miller, communications, 205-348-0825 or david.c.miller@ua.edu.
NEED A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON ANOTHER TOPIC? – See frequently updated expert directory here.
EVENTS
LEAD AUTHOR OF NEW BLOOD PRESSURE GUIDELINES TO PROVIDE LECTURE – According to new clinical blood pressure management guidelines, nearly half of the U.S. adult population has high blood pressure. Dr. Paul Whelton, lead author of the guidelines, will provide the David and Natica Bahar Memorial Lecture for UA’s College of Community Health Sciences March 8 in the Willard Auditorium at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The event is open to the public, and Dr. Whelton will be available to the media after the lecture. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-8325 or bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
VISITING LECTURER TO DISCUSS EARLY EARTH CONDITIONS – Friday, March 9, Dr. Mark Harrison, a UCLA professor, will discuss his investigation of the near-surface conditions on early Earth. He will also explain why scientists created their own version of a “hellish” early Earth without much evidence from the geologic record. The lecture, hosted by UA’s department of geological sciences, begins at 3:30 p.m. in the AIME building, room 110. The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. For more information, contact Courtney Corbridge, communications specialist, College of Arts and Sciences, at 205-348-8539 or UA communications at 205-348-5320.
MOUNDVILLE KNAP-IN – UA’s Moundville Archeological Park welcomes the West Alabama community to learn the Native American skill of flintknapping at the 18th annual Moundville Knap-In, March 9-10.The event will feature some of the best flintknappers from around the country demonstrating the ancient art of making tools out of stone, bone or antler using only rocks. The Knap-In will also showcase Native American culture through food and activities for all ages. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-8325 or bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.