Tag: University of Vermont

“For me, chemistry is fun,” says professor Chris Landry. Here, he discusses nanoparticles, the focus of Landry’s lab, and the role they could play in treating diseases like cancer. “It’s a vehicle that you can put anything into, which is kind of the exciting part.”

Landry also serves as the chemistry department chair.

About Faculty Feature:

What makes our faculty members tick? In this video series, get up close and personal with our professors. Hear them talk about their passions, their paths to UVM and why they love what they study, from the mysteries of Lake Champlain’s sculpin to the stories of homeless children in Pakistan. 

Source: UVM News

“For me, chemistry is fun,” says professor Chris Landry. Here, he discusses nanoparticles, the focus of Landry’s lab, and the role they could play in treating diseases like cancer. “It’s a vehicle that you can put anything into, which is kind of the exciting part.”

Landry also serves as the chemistry department chair.

About Faculty Feature:

What makes our faculty members tick? In this video series, get up close and personal with our professors. Hear them talk about their passions, their paths to UVM and why they love what they study, from the mysteries of Lake Champlain’s sculpin to the stories of homeless children in Pakistan. 

Source: UVM News

Many of the more than two million veterans who have taken advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill have struggled academically in college. Similarly, albeit for different reasons, so have many college athletes. Results of a new study focusing on the long-term effects of concussions or mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) in both populations offers new evidence for why they might not be making the grade.

The study in Scientific Reports, a journal published by a Nature Research Journal, revealed slower visual and auditory reaction times by veterans and athletes to simple environmental stimuli years after experiencing mTBIs. Participants also struggled with significant reductions in eye-tracking accuracy and were plagued by intrusive saccadic eye movements, making it difficult to focus for even short periods of time.

A discernable difference was measured in oculomotor performance between study participants, whose eyes frequently deviated from a moving laser target, and a control group. The deviation was further complicated by irregular episodic occurrences of fast eye movements known as saccadic intrusions. Consequently, veterans and athletes who displayed no post-concussive symptoms under current protocols are struggling in class due to an inability to follow lectures and retain information from readings, and are missing key parts of class presentations.

Members of the military returning to active duty too soon

The study raises serious questions about whether athletes are being cleared to return to the playing fields too soon, and more importantly, if veterans are returning to active duty while still experiencing cognitive impairments and abnormal eye movements. Current NFL concussion protocols, for example, often have players returning to action the same day or within a few weeks. Results show that veterans and athletes who had a history of concussions years later still have post-concussive symptoms similar to individuals with major traumatic brain injuries. 

“Our main concern was with veterans who were getting deployed but still had concussive symptoms that were not getting picked by current protocols,” says study co-author Sambit Mohapatra, assistant professor in Rehabilitation and Movement Science at the University of Vermont. “Active duty military need to make fast decisions and may not even realize concussive symptoms are affecting them. What will happen when they go back to Iraq or another war zone and you put them in a very delicate situation?” 

Some of the veterans suffer from a toxic mix of post-concussive symptoms and PTSD. Some concussive symptoms, for example, are further complicated by PTSD and depression and are only seen when a student is in a high-stress environment such as academia. Making treatment more difficult is the tendency by student athletes and veterans not to report these symptoms due to social stigma and pressure to return to play or active duty. “When a soldier who has had multiple concussions is dropped into the middle of a war zone, they can experience post-concussive symptoms all over again as well as PTSD, so it’s a dangerous and vicious cycle,” says Mohapatra.

The study consisted of 36 veterans and athletes with a history of single or multiple mild traumatic brain events sustained during sporting events, motor cycle accidents, and military operations. The average length of time that participants experienced their last concussion was just over 43 months ago. A control group consisted of 36 healthy individuals who had never had a concussion.

Developing coping mechanisms, techniques to improve academic performance   

Mohapatra and his colleagues are developing faster, more mobile screening tools that are easily portable to college and professional sporting events and military training sights and war zones. Many of the screening tools, which are readily available, are not sensitive enough to pick various concussive symptoms. It is also important to note, adds Mohapatra, that a majority of concussions are asymptomatic and would never be picked up by any of the current off-the-shelf screening tools. “Our advanced screening methods have validated certain specific measures of balance and eye tracking that are sensitive enough to pick both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals with a history of concussions.”

Once post-concussive symptoms are identified, researchers hope to develop ways to improve academic performance for veterans and athletes. Mohapatra says some basic changes in teaching can have a major impact. For example, one veteran was missing lines in PowerPoint presentations due to poor eye-tracking ability and became frustrated when not performing well on tests. By simply printing out the PowerPoint and having the student underline each single line as the faculty member reads it solves such a problem, says Mohapatra.

“They never realized they were missing class materials because their eyes were not moving in space effectively, which led to missing lines of text in the presentations,” he says. “It’s a simple, but effective adjustment. Some veterans experience more serious cognitive problems, which can be further triggered by academic pressure. How to counsel and treat these individuals as well as educate faculty about such asymptomatic individuals who might be dealing with these invisible symptoms is vital to the academic success of these students, and the motivation behind the study.” 

Source: UVM News

University of Vermont President Tom Sullivan today announced the appointment of T. Simeon Ananou as the University’s new chief information officer, effective July 1. He is currently the Vice President for Information Technologies Services and Chief Information Officer at SUNY’s University at Albany.

“Dr. Ananou is an accomplished information technology advocate with more than 20 years of experience in leadership positions at several higher education institutions,” said Sullivan. “I look forward to working with Dr. Ananou as a member of the University’s senior administrative leadership team.”

Ananou said about his new position at UVM, “I feel honored to have been appointed to serve in this critical leadership role as Chief Information Officer at this Public Ivy and land grant institution. I am looking forward to working with the UVM community to embark on digital transformation to help propel the University to its next level of prominence.”

His accomplishments include creating an information technology governance structure aligned with institutional strategic priorities that led to a consolidation of redundant infrastructure operations. Ananou is actively involved in several professional organizations including Educause, Internet2, and the American Council on Education. He has served as a peer evaluator with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. He has also presented at several national and international conferences. In addition, he served as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Educational Policy and Leadership at the University of Albany and as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Information and Decision Sciences at Salisbury University.

Prior to joining University at Albany in 2016, Ananou served as Chief Information Officer at Salisbury University located in Salisbury, Maryland. In addition, he served as Associate Provost for Information and Administrative Technology Services and Chief Information Officer at Slippery Rock University located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in International Relations from Ohio State University, a Master of Business Administration from Baker College, and a Doctor of Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In addition, he attended Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management.

Source: UVM News

The Lake Champlain Sea Grant program has a new designation – and a bigger budget for its work.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Sea Grant College Program have granted the program Institute status. With the new designation comes a 150 percent increase in its base budget – from $400,000 to $1 million annually – in federal support for research, outreach and education to improve the environment and economy in the Lake Champlain Basin.

Designation as a Sea Grant Institute is the second highest level of recognition within the four-tiered National Sea Grant College Program and is a significant achievement. The Lake Champlain Sea Grant program was established as a Project by NOAA in 1999. In 2012 its status was raised to that of Coherent Area Program.      

The Institute designation also gives the program increased national recognition and an enhanced ability to work with key partners throughout the region.

The Lake Champlain Sea Grant program develops and shares science-based knowledge to benefit the environment and economies of the Lake Champlain basin. The program is a cooperative effort of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont and the Lake Champlain Research Institute at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh. It operates through partnerships with UVM Extension, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation and numerous other local organizations.

Research supported by Lake Champlain Sea Grant at SUNY Plattsburgh includes ground-breaking assessments of microplastics in Lake Champlain and installation of a long-term monitoring buoy to track lake temperatures over time.

Recent Sea Grant-supported research at the University of Vermont on green infrastructure informed the state’s newly updated stormwater guidance.

Excellence across a range of fronts

Lake Champlain Sea Grant earned the Institute designation for demonstrating excellence in research, education and public service dedicated to the environmentally responsible management and development in the nation’s marine, coastal and Great Lakes resources.

“Lake Champlain Sea Grant has clearly shown a high level of achievement and can now increase its contributions to the mission of the National Sea Grant College Program to enhance the practical use and conservation of Lake Champlain resources,” said Craig McLean, assistant administrator of NOAA Research.

“I am pleased Lake Champlain Sea Grant has reached this important milestone and have full confidence that the elevation to institutional status will bring positive impacts to the communities served by Lake Champlain Sea Grant well beyond the federal investment in the program,” said Jonathan Pennock, director of the National Sea Grant College Program.

The Lake Champlain program joins 31 other Sea Grant Institutes as part of a National Sea Grant College Program network.

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) enacted the 1998 Sea Grant Reauthorization Act, which provided the opportunity to create a Lake Champlain Sea Grant outreach project, and was instrumental in creating the opportunity to fund the new Institute. The original proposal stressed that the focus was to be a coordinated, basin-wide effort and not one focused exclusively on New York or Vermont. Lake Champlain Sea Grant remains true to this goal today, with programming focused on environmental literacy and workforce development, healthy coastal ecosystems, and resilient communities and economies.

“This is another great day for our Lake, and I’m so proud that we now have a fully-fledged Lake Champlain Sea Grant Institute,” Senator Leahy said. “This further advances our goals for harnessing the superb resources of the Sea Grant Program to protect Lake Champlain as one of Vermont’s most vital and vibrant resources.  This designation is well earned through the great research funded by the program over the years.  As vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will work to see that the program is fully funded as an Institute.”

“I congratulate our friends at the Lake Champlain Sea Grant program on this important designation,” said U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY). “This designation will mean increased support as we combat invasive species and protect our waters. As the Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Invasive Species Caucus and an outspoken advocate for Lake Champlain in Congress, I will continue to work to ensure Lake Champlain is protected and preserved for future generations.”

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a member of the Senate Environmental Committee, said, “The Lake is one of Vermont’s most precious natural resources, and the Lake Champlain Sea Grant program’s research, education and community outreach is helping ensure it can be enjoyed by generations to come.  I’m very pleased this new designation will help further that important work.”

“Lake Champlain is the environmental crown jewel of our region,” said Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.). “It is central to our cultural heritage and natural history, and an invaluable recreational and economic resource. This well-deserved recognition of the Lake Champlain Sea Grant as a Sea Grant Institute will ensure that this important program can continue its vital work in the Lake Champlain basin to protect and preserve this great lake for generations to come” noted Rep. Welch.

New funding will support a variety of new initiatives

According to Breck Bowden, director of Lake Champlain Sea Grant, “The additional resources made available as a Sea Grant Institute will allow us to expand our outreach activities and fund new research that directly supports the mission of the Lake Champlain Sea Grant.”

The new funding will be used in a number of ways, Bowden said.

It will enable Lake Champlain Sea Grant to expand its flagship outreach program, the Watershed Alliance, to New York State schools. The program has educated more than 9,000 Vermont students in the past five years alone about the impacts of land use on water quality and actions individuals can take to improve water quality. The program is a partnership with UVM Extension.

The new funding will also be used support new research; generate two to three new long-term partnerships; create a new fellowship program for graduate and post-doctoral students; provide more opportunities and support for staff to work with regional and national partners; and enhance the already strong partnership between the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, the UVM Extension program and SUNY Plattsburgh’s Lake Champlain Research Institute.

Lake Champlain Sea Grant also partners with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation to support the Green Infrastructure Collaborative. This program provides technical assistance to municipalities, businesses, and individuals to promote use of natural landscapes and green designs to treat and manage stormwater runoff.

About the National Sea Grant program

The National Sea Grant College program was established by the U.S. Congress in 1966 and works to create and maintain a healthy coastal environment and economy. The Sea Grant network consists of a federal/university partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and 33 university-based programs in every coastal and Great Lakes state, Puerto Rico and Guam. The network draws on the expertise of more than 3,000 scientists, engineers, public outreach experts, educators and students to help citizens better understand, conserve and utilize America’s coastal resources.

Source: UVM News

Annie Murray-Close, associate professor of the Department of Psychological Science in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Vermont, has been named by the UVM Alumni Association as the 2018 recipient of its George V. Kidder Outstanding Faculty Award.

The Kidder Award honors one full-time University of Vermont faculty member for excellence in teaching and extraordinary contributions to the enrichment of campus life. Established in memory of Dr. George V. Kidder, UVM Class of 1922 and former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences who served the university for more than 70 years, the prestigious award has been presented annually since 1974.

Murray-Close was recognized at a May 3 ceremony at UVM Alumni House, with Dr. Lewis First – a professor in the Department Pediatrics and the 2017 Kidder Award winner – presenting a pin and offering a toast.

“Annie is an accomplished scholar and a remarkable teacher and mentor whose colleagues, students and alumni endorsed highly for this great honor,” said Alan Ryea, vice president for alumni relations at the UVM Foundation.

She now joins the select group of “Kidder” faculty at UVM who have been recognized for igniting passion in the classroom for learning and discovery in so many students. Some of the comments received from students and faculty colleagues about Murray-Close during the nomination process include:

“Annie is a quiet leader but one that has impacted me greatly. She reminds me daily that teaching is about learning from others what works and what doesn’t and that as educators, we have to share that knowledge.” (Colleague)

 “She is a fabulous teacher, marvelous mentor, and a tireless advocate for lifelong learning. Annie watches her students grow through their experience – hands-on learning in her lab.” (Colleague)

Murray-Close received her B.A. from Carleton College and her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota. In 2007, she joined the University of Vermont as associate professor in the Department of Psychological Science in the College of Arts and Sciences.  Annie teaches courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level. She has been credited for her engaging lecture style, and her commitment to students in and out of the classroom. Annie is a full time faculty member who is well respected across campus by students and her peers.

About The University of Vermont Alumni Association

The University of Vermont Alumni Association fosters lifelong relationships among a vibrant, global and diverse community engaged in a common desire to preserve, celebrate and enhance the University of Vermont and to enrich the lives of its more than 115,000-strong worldwide alumni network. The UVM Alumni Association is part of the UVM Foundation, a nonprofit corporation established to secure and manage private support. The Foundation is currently engaged in Move Mountains: The Campaign for The University of Vermont. For more information, visit alumni.uvm.edu or visit the UVM Alumni House at 61 Summit Street in Burlington, Vermont.

Source: UVM News