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It’s April 14.
Commencement is 29 days away.
And this is what’s in focus.
Spotlight: June Hwang
You might know her as an associate professor from the Department of Modern of Languages and Cultures who specializes in German and film media studies; perhaps through “GER 203: Introduction to German Literature” or “GER 282: Contemporary German Cinema.” And you may know that her academic interests are in German Jewish identity, questions of modernity, film theory, and critical theory, in which case, you might be familiar with her book Lost in Time: Locating the Stranger in German Modernity.
Now, it’s time to get to know her as the new director of the Susan B. Anthony Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies.
“My work focuses on the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, and class,” Hwang says. “I’m excited to build off the work of my predecessors in order to highlight those intersections and to bring them into a larger conversation at the University.”
Hwang, who came to Rochester in 2007 after earning a PhD in German Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, participated in a Q&A that starts with the question many are interested in knowing the answer to: How has her background prepared her to be the director?
Get the answer and learn more about Hwang
Zooming In
Giving you a closer look at some news you might be interested in reading.
On phenotypic plasticity. In laymen’s terms, this is the ability that allows an organism to change some of its traits to better survive its environment. In research terms, this is called an “evolutionary flex.” Jennifer Brisson, a professor of biology, received a nearly $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to explore how an organism passes this ability on to its offspring, what genetic mechanism are involved, and how these processes have evolved. If Brisson can gain a better understanding of phenotypic plasticity and the genes responsible, it could lead to significant breakthroughs in human health and disease. Nature vs. nurture vs. Rochester research
On space. The final frontier. These are the research voyages of the University of Rochester. In the first adventure, Rochester was part of an international team of scientists that, for the first time ever, recreated the conditions that exist within galaxy clusters, which provided insight into the complex processes involved in the building blocks of the universe. Following a different path, Adam Frank, the Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor of Physics and Astronomy, conducted a “thought experiment,” exploring questions like, “If a planet with life has a life of its own, can it also have a mind of its own?” Choose your adventure: galactic DNA or planetary intelligence.
News Flash
It’s common for our faculty members to have their perspectives published in national media. Here are some recent examples:
“Some observers mistakenly blame Putin’s invasion on an old doctrine” by Matthew Lenoe, associate professor of history (MSN)
“Anti-trans laws weaponize child protection systems that have long harmed kids” by Mical Raz, the Charles E. and Dale L. Phelps Professor in Public Policy and Health (The Washington Post)
“Has the Fed Given Up on Fighting Inflation?” by Narayana Kocherlakota, the Lionel W. McKenzie Professor of Economics (The Washington Post)
Quick View
Here’s a glance at some other noteworthy School of Arts & Sciences stories you might have missed.
Physics. When a Rochester research team placed vinegar eels in a bead of water it produced a never-before-seen style of collective motion.
War. An expert on international conflicts, Hein Goemans, professor of political science, explores how to end the war in Ukraine.
Quantum. New insights in “quantum noise” allowed Rochester researechers to report major strides in enhancing quantum computing.
Remembered. Thomas Ferbel, a professor of physics, was an inspiring mentor and distinguished particle physicist.
Remembered. Judith Pipher, a professor emerita of physics and astronomy, was known as the “mother of infrared astronomy.”
On the Horizon
Looking for something to do? Consider attending one of the upcoming events below. For all other School of Arts & Sciences events, check the University Calendar.
4/15…English—“Ecocriticism, Disability and the Beowulf Manuscript”
4/18…Biology: Donut Talk—Amy Toth
4/20…Art and Art History: “The Unexplained Killing of Your Eldest Daughter”
4/21…Theater: Marisol
4/21… Humanities Center: Sawyer Seminar—Migration Ethics
4/22…Chemistry: Seymour Rothchild Lecture—Jonas Peters
4/22…Philosophy: “The Power, Pitfalls and Potential of Large Language”
4/26…Religion: Etgar Keret’s stories and films
4/27…Music: Last Day of Class Concert
5/9…Data Science: Summer School in Computational Social Sciences
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