Medical Center experts share what they know about the Omicron variant
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 made its first appearance in Monroe County on December 22. Infectious disease experts Ghinwa Khalid Dumyati, a professor of medicine and at the Center for Community Health & Prevention, Ann Falsey, a professor of medicine and codirector of the Medical Center’s Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit, and Ed Walsh, a professor of medicine, share what they know about it so far.
In today’s issue:
This month’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address has switched to a virtual-only format
Learn more about the Mindful University Project’s upcoming mindfulness workshops
Sign up to receive Well-U’s Weekly Wellness newsletter
A reminder on face masks: they must be worn properly, covering the nose and mouth, indoors on the University’s campuses and properties. Visit the face mask FAQ page for full information. Face masks with air valves are not permitted, nor are face shields alone without a proper face mask underneath.
MLK Commemorative Address with Rheeda Walker will be virtual
The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address has switched to a virtual-only format. Keynote speaker Rheeda Walker, a professor of psychology and a behavioral scientist at the University of Houston, will discuss the mental health challenges facing African Americans and take questions from the audience on Friday, January 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. EST. Those interested should register online and will receive a Zoom link via email the day of the event.
Bruce Arden, former dean of engineering, dies at 94
Bruce Arden, who served from 1986 to 1994 as the dean of the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (then called the College of Engineering and Applied Science), died last month at age 94. Arden, who also served as the William F. May Professor of Engineering in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Rochester before retiring with emeritus status, undertook important initiatives in undergraduate programs, faculty hiring, and government and industrial relations.
“We are seeing more cases, and it’s a combination of too young to be vaccinated or not vaccinated,” says Elizabeth Murray, an assistant professor of clinical emergency medicine and of clinical pediatrics. “One important thing we have started to see is children who have had COVID-19 last year are getting it again. No one should count on disease acquired immunity to guarantee ongoing protection.”
Course for AS&E PhD students to identify career paths
CASC 504 is a course for AS&E PhD students in the humanities and social sciences to identify diverse career pathways of interest. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to alumni from University programs in various fields both academic and industry, and develop materials for telling their stories. Completing the course allows students to apply for paid summer internships as part of the InternPhD program, which provides experiences for AS&E PhD students in the humanities and social sciences. Enriching their academic program and adding direction to career development, students will participate in a summer-long internship, working part-time with a stipend of $3,000. CASC 504 will be taught on Monday and Wednesday mornings this spring semester. If you’re interested in taking the course, email alissa.clark@rochester.edu for registration information.
Opportunities with the Office of Disability Resources
The Office of Disability Resources is looking for undergraduate students to hire as classroom note-takers, as well as graduate students to be exam proctors and scribes. Learn more and apply here.
The referral bonus program from the Office of Human Resources rewards faculty and staff who recommend qualified candidates in their personal and professional networks to join the University. Going on now through March 31, current employees can receive up to $5,000 for referring a new hire who remains at the University for at least 18 months. Find more information on the program here. The process for nursing process referrals can be found here.
Stay up-to-date on the latest health and wellness trends
The Weekly Wellness newsletter, brought to you by Well-U, provides current health and wellness articles as well as the latest programs and events. You also will have the chance to win a monthly prize through the Well-U raffle. Subscribe here.
Carbohydrates: friend or foe?
Nutrition fads come and go, but carbohydrates have continued to be controversial for decades in the diet world. With so much information on the internet, deciding whether to include bread in your diet can feel like a daunting decision. Join Well-U virtually on Thursday, January 13, at noon EST to learn more through a registered dietitian from your lifestyle management team. Save your spot.
Digital Diagnoses: Using selfies to detect Parkinson’s disease
To Rochester professors Ehsan Hoque and Ray Dorsey, selfie photos are worth far more than the proverbial “thousand words.” Computer vision software—developed by Hoque and his lab in collaboration with Dorsey—can analyze selfies to detect those who are likely to develop Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. Attend a virtual demonstration and discussion of how this technology will affect future diagnoses and treatments of neurological diseases on Thursday, January 13, at noon EST. Learn more and register for the event, presented as part of the Experience Rochester series.
Register for a Koru mindfulness virtual workshop
Learn the fundamentals of mindfulness meditation during the Mindful University Project’s next virtual Koru mindfulness four-week workshop. Participants will learn about and practice two new meditation techniques weekly. Two new Koru classes are being offered this semester: “OUTbreath” for LGBTQ+ participants and “Stay Woke and Meditate” for people of color.
Registration is now open for Rochester’s pre-college programs. High school students can explore different career paths and majors, live on campus, and challenge themselves with summer programs in business, medicine, humanities, and engineering. Staff, faculty, and alumni with high school-aged children receive 10 percent off tuition with the Rochester community discount. Learn more about courses, dates, and the application process. Call (585) 275-3221 or email precollege@rochester.edu with questions.
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