News Archive - 2015

Gulf of Mexico 3D rendering
Establishing baseline data for the world's oceans

Samantha Joye explains in Science's Perspective section that only through collecting both baseline data and consistent long-term observations after pollution events is it possible to piece together the impacts of environmental disasters like oil spills: one of the biggest challenges in evaluating the environmental impacts of the Macondo blowout was the lack of baseline data—both in the water column and along the seabed, where as much as 15…

painting of woman on lined paper
'Return from Exile' exhibition of Native American art

The idea of being out of balance, whether we speak of the Earth or society, is one with which we are unfortunately quite familiar. The causes are myriad, and bound up with our urge to progress and 'get ahead.' Balance maybe a goal, but not one we prioritize. Native Americans, on the other hand and even in the face of centuries of violence and oppression, have long-sought harmony with the environment, their history and ancestors, and their very-…

man in lab with gloves
Training the next generation of tropical disease researchers

The Striepen lab is one of UGA's outstanding research teams, conducting the painstaking, laborious, long-term research that can turn the tide against some of the worst communicable scourages known to man. An important aspect of Dr. Striepen's work is taching graduate and postdoctoral students the methods and culture of a successful researvh enterprise. Those efforts have been rewarded with a $1.25 million NIH grant announced today, to support…

planets in space rendering
Astronomers discover 'young Jupiter' exoplanet

Looking at younger star systems in the early stages of development is the best way for astronomers to learn how our solar system evolved. In the new issue of Science, a team of astronomers that includes Inseok Song from the department of physics and astronomy has discovered a Jupiter-like planet within a young star system that could serve as a guide for understanding how planets formed around our sun: The new planet, called 51 Eridani…

woman outside day
Voarintsoa awarded Faculty for the Future Fellowship

Geology doctoral student Ny Riavo Voarintsoa has been selected for the Faculty for the Future Fellowship Award, sponsored by the Schlumberger Foundation to support talented women from developing and emerging countries who are pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering at leading universities: Recipients are chosen based on their leadership qualities, academic ability and engagement toward science and education as a development tool in…

people, cameras and microphones
Faculty in the media, August 2015

From flooding in Texas and the Confederate Flag to the discovery of an ancient Qu'ran, Franklin College faculty were widely quoted on a wide range of subjects over the summer. A sampling: Millennials: Apathetic or Empathetic? – R&B article quotes Brian Haas, an assistant professor in the Behavioral and Brain Science Program NPR reporter explores John Ross story and the art of the protest – Chattanooga Times Free Press quotes Jace Weaver,…

logos and emmy statue
Kudos, August 2015

Franklin College faculty, staff, students and alumni continue to distinguish themselves and the university with awards, honors and accolades. Here are a few from the summer: “Destruction Was My Beatrice: Dada and the Unmaking of the Twentieth Century,” is reviewed by The Economist and Los Angeles Times. Author Jed Rasula is the Helen S. Lanier Distinguished Professor and English department head. New York Times also reviews Rasula’s history of…

student with professor and microscope
Amazing student Karishma Sriram

Foundation Fellow and undergraduate stem cell researcher Karishma Sriram is making the most of her UGA opportunities: Entering college as a Foundation Fellow, I was immediately immersed in an enriching and creative environment. Through the Fellowship, I have been able to participate in intriguing book discussions, dinner seminars and conversations that helped me shape my understanding of the world around me. Further, the Fellowship afforded me…

women in classroom, dancing, outdoors
Women in campus leadership

The percentage of women holding leadership positions in UGA's administration has remained flat for more than a decade, even as the proportion of female faculty has grown steadily. This is reflective of national trends in higher education and in the private sector, and UGA is taking several steps to increase the representation of women in leadership roles: In spring 2015, UGA President Jere W. Morehead and Provost Pamela Whitten launched the…

two men in a TV studio
Shepherd and Knox on the Weather Channel

If you have to fly for work or pleasure, you will enjoy this show and its really cool images and videos.  We were burning up the Twitters with this all weekend, but such is our pride and not just for this example of fantastic expertise that is important to the public. We're continually humbled by Dr. Shepherd's ability to share his scholarship in a wide variety of media. And now that he has a regular broadcast perch at The Weather Channel…