Four new positive cases of COVID-19

Since Thursday’s notice in @Rochester, there are four new cases of COVID-19 to report: two River Campus students, one Eastman Campus student, and one Medical Center student.  Please note that the University’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily. Whenever a new case is known, the contact-tracing process begins immediately with confirmed exposures being contacted and required to quarantine.

It’s extremely important for the health of the University community that individuals continue to adhere to the face masking and social distancing protocols. Even as some individuals are now receiving their first or second dose of the vaccine, these practices to prevent the transmission of the virus cannot be relaxed.

If you think you’re experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, it’s important to report them through Dr. Chat Bot—for non–Medical Center faculty, staff, and all students and for Medical Center employees—immediately. Even if you think your symptoms might be something else—like a cold, seasonal congestion, or allergies—it’s still important to tell University health professionals and contact tracers what you’re experiencing.

Feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed in these COVID times? Students can reach out to the University Counseling Center for help. UHS also maintains a site with COVID Coping and Resources for students. Employees can contact the UR Medicine Employee Assistance Program, one of several support services for faculty and staff.

Data on adolescent vaccine efficacy and safety is 'very encouraging'

Interim study data released this week show that the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine is 100 percent effective in preventing infections in adolescents age 12 to 15. “This data is very encouraging and appears to mirror the findings in adults, which show this is a safe and very efficacious vaccine,” says Ann Falsey, professor of medicine and infectious diseases and codirector of the Medical Center’s Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit. “New vaccines are typically evaluated in descending age groups, so this study represents a critical first step to expand eventual use into children and infants.” The unit has been evaluating the vaccine in adults since last year but was not involved in the adolescent vaccine study.

New advisory board will help address the challenges that international students and scholars face

The University’s International Services Office has formed the first International Student and Scholar Advisory Board to assist in identifying broad issues and challenges that international students and scholars face in pursuing their academic and career goals.

Progress toward creating a room temperature superconductor

A study from the lab of Ranga Dias, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering and of physics and astronomy, reports a new technique in the quest to create superconducting materials at lower pressures. Dias was named to the Time100 Next annual list earlier this year for his creation of material that is superconducting at room temperature. Read more here.

• Dr. Chat Bot: Non–Medical Center faculty, staff, and all students | Medical Center employees
• What to do if you or your close contacts have symptoms or have been exposed
• University’s COVID-19 Resource Center
• Medical Center’s COVID-19 update page
• COVID-19 Concern Report

When will kids get COVID vaccines?

Scientific American, March 30

“When you’re talking about putting a vaccine in children, everyone wants to make sure that it’s safe,” says Jennifer Nayak, an associate professor of pediatrics and of microbiology and immunology, who is helping to run one of Moderna’s clinical trials in kids.

Practice your interview skills

Daler Beisenbayev ’22, executive director of the Meliora Finance and Investment Group, and Robert DeLeon, a career advisor with the Gwen M. Greene Center for Career Education and Connections, are hosting an interview practice event today, Friday, April 2, at noon EDT via Zoom to showcase the best strategies for conducting yourself in a professional interview. After running through a mock session and discussing the different types of questions that might be asked, the floor will be open to field any questions you all might have. Designed for undergraduate students within the school of Arts, Science & Engineering, the event will focus on investment banking and consulting careers, but the skills can be applied to situations outside of the finance world.

Bringing virtual Education Abroad to students

Graduate Student Appreciation Week

Started in 1993 by the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students as a way to support and appreciate graduate and professional students, Graduate Student Appreciation Week takes place this year April 5–9. Many of the events are virtual including a fireside chat with President Sarah Mangelsdorf and Dean Melissa Sturge-Apple; karaoke night; and Eastman School of Music concerts. Find the schedule and more information here.

Use your tuition benefits this summer

Data science seminar

Join the Goergen Institute for Data Science on Friday, April 2, for “Interpretable Prediction of Obstructive Lung Disease from Chest Radiographs with Deep Learning,” a research seminar with Tolga Tasdizen, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Utah. This free, virtual talk will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. EDT  via Zoom.

'King and Breaking the Silence' event with the Gandhi Institute

Join the Gandhi Institute on Sunday, April 4, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. EDT, for a reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Vietnam War speech, given April 4, 1967. Find details on joining in person or virtually.

April print edition of Campus Times

The Campus Times has released copies of its April Fools print edition around campus. Find copies in public spaces like Rush Rhees Library, Wilson Commons, and the common areas in dorms. You can keep up with weekly issues published online at campustimes.org.

Alzheimer prevention trials web study

The Alzheimer’s Disease Care, Research, and Education Program is participating in a web study aimed at accelerating enrollment into clinical trials to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The study is designed to identify and track healthy individuals 50 years of age or older who maybe at a higher risk for developing memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s disease by completing health questionnaires and cognitive assessments online. Find more information about the study and other current research opportunities here.