Update on new positive cases of COVID-19

There is one new positive case among students to report: one on the River Campus. Please note that the University’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated when a new case is reported. Find the latest COVID-19 messages and updates here.

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 on what kinds of masks are acceptable.

Faculty appointed to named professorships

The Board of Trustees has recently appointed several faculty members to named positions. The named positions are part of a long-standing tradition to celebrate the work of Rochester’s faculty as researchers, scholars, and teachers.

• Dora Biro, the Beverly Petterson Bishop and Charles W. Bishop Professor of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
• Kara Bren, the Richard Eisenberg Professor in Chemistry
• Peter Knight, the Dr. Jude S. Sauer Family Distinguished Professor in Cardiac Surgery
• Thomas Mariani, the David H. Smith Professor in Pediatrics
• Michael Neidig, the Marshall D. Gates, Jr. Professor of Chemistry
• George Porter, the Rhea and Raymond White Professor in Pediatric Cardiology
• David Siegel, the Northumberland Trust Professor in Pediatrics
• Karen Wilson, the Ruth A. Lawrence Professor in Pediatrics

Together, We Make Way for Good: Make an early pledge to the University’s United Way Campaign

Join the University’s annual United Way Campaign, which supports the Greater Rochester area by providing health services, educational support, and economic mobility to the community’s most vulnerable populations. Continuous pledge payroll donors can modify their pledges online through ePledge starting today, February 22 through March 2 before the campaign officially kicks off on March 3. Those who pledge by March 4 are eligible for weekly prize drawings. Continuous pledge payroll donors are already included in the drawings. Email the United Way Office at uwco@hr.rochester.edu with questions. Campaign leaders thank the many department coordinators who will be helping during the coming weeks

Is Earth smart?

The Atlantic, February 19

“Even though Earth might be full of intelligent life, at this point in its cosmic history, it certainly doesn’t seem very smart. Making sense of how a planet’s intelligence might be defined and understood helps shine a little light on humanity’s future on this planet—or lack thereof,” writes Adam Frank, the Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor of Physics and Astronomy, and colleagues David Grinspoon at the Planetary Science Institute and Sara Walker at Arizona State University.

Networking event for AS&E graduate students and postdocs

Tripods NSF REU, STEM for All summer 2022 programs

Making summer plans? Learn and research neural networks, the computational framework that imitates the human brain, through the Tripods National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates and STEM for All summer 2022 programs taking place July 18 through August 12. The deadline to apply has been extended to Monday, March 14. Tripods program participants will receive a $1,600 stipend for completion of the program. The programs are open to current undergraduates at Rochester, Cornell University, and institutions in the Rochester area.

2021 Total Rewards statements are now available

Review your annual Total Rewards statement in HRMS for a personalized snapshot of your overall compensation as of December 31, 2021. Contact totalrewards@rochester.edu with questions.

Fall 2021 tuition reimbursement reminder

Did you take classes at an outside college or university in fall 2021? Don’t forget to submit your supporting documentation to receive your reimbursement. You can send in your bill, proof of payment, and final grades to Tuition Benefits. You will see your reimbursement in your paycheck in two to three pay periods.

Healthy Well-U benefit

Well-U wants you to spend time caring for your own well-being. Complete your Personal Health Assessment to get a clear picture of your present health status, find recommendations, and take the first steps toward creating your wellness plan. Reserve your screening now.

Nominations due March 4 for the Furth Fund

The Furth Fund provides early-career scientists with up to $12,500 in research funds to help foster the development of promising scientists. Nominees should be junior, tenure-track faculty appointed in natural, biological science, or engineering departments within AS&E, the School of Medicine and Dentistry, or the School of Nursing who have been hired within the past three academic years.

Preference will be given to nominees who wish to use the award to support the active engagement of graduate students or postdocs in their research.
All nominations must include the nominee’s curriculum vitae and a short letter from the departmental chair describing the nominee’s research activities and proposed use of the funds, and an endorsement from the dean of the school. Nominations must be submitted to the dean of the school no later than Friday, March 4.

Science and Sustainability seminar on air quality and COVID-19

Lee Murray, an assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences and leader of the Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Modeling Group, will discuss the intersection of COVID-19 with air pollution, weather, and climate. The seminar takes place Wednesday, February 23, from 3:25 to 4:40 p.m. EST in Hutchison Hall, Room 473. This seminar series is cosponsored by the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Environmental Sustainability University Committee for Interdisciplinary Studies.

‘Make it Happen’ iZone microgrant information session

The Barbara J. Burger iZone is relaunching “Make it Happen,” a microgrant for Rochester students and alumni. Applications are due by 11:55 PM EST on March 5. Do you have an early-stage idea? An innovative project or creative venture that you want to launch? The “Make It Happen” grant provides individuals and groups funding to help bring their ideas to life. Students may apply as an individual or a group. Learn more and apply here.

Attend an information session on Thursday, February 24, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. EST in the iZone Studio, Room G108A, or over Zoom to learn how to get involved with the grant, as well as the timeline of this initiative and everything that is required of applicants. You can attend either before or after you submit your application. If you can’t make the session, email ssubba4@u.rochester.edu.

Attend the Migration Film Festival, February 24–26

Featuring an array of acclaimed recent films—from fiction to documentary to experimental essay—“Unbordering the Americas: A Migration Film Festival” centers on the memories, dreams, and everyday lives of Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ peoples moving toward and throughout the Americas. The festival takes place February 24–26 at the George Eastman Museum’s Dryden Theatre and is part of the yearlong Sawyer Seminar’s events regarding migration. Learn more about the films, showtimes, post-screening events, and ticket prices.

Ocean conservationist Alexandra Cousteau to speak to University community

Ocean conservationist and environmental activist Alexandra Cousteau will be the featured speaker in the next installment of the University’s “Difficult Conversations as a Catalyst for Change” series. The granddaughter of famed French explorer Jacques Cousteau will join Donald Hall, the Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sciences & Engineering, on Thursday, March 3, at 7 p.m. EST in Strong Auditorium on the River Campus. The event will be streamed live via Zoom. Register here to attend.

‘Commit to Quit’ with group smoking cessation program

Stress and smoking often go hand in hand. Explore healthier ways to deal with stress in one of the “Commit to Quit!” group program sessions offered by the Center for Community Health & Prevention. The next virtual six-session series kicks off at noon EST on Thursday, March 3. Join others in their health journey and learn from certified smoking cessation experts. Register today.

Rural Substance Use Disorder Health Equity and Stigma Summit

Join speakers with lived experience, addiction treatment and prevention experts, authors, filmmakers, and diverse thought leaders from around the US for the Medical Center’s Recovery Center of Excellence’s Rural Substance Use Disorder Health Equity and Stigma Summit. The event takes place May 18–20 and will focus on overcoming stigma and health inequity around substance use disorder. Registration is free and open to the public. You can participate virtually and in person; however, spots for in-person sessions are limited. Learn more and register today.

Yesterday marked the beginning of the Eastman School of Music’s Black Student Union Black History Month recital series. A different performance featuring music by Black composers and performed by Black students will be shared daily through the end of the month on the student organization’s Instagram.

The first video features soprano Brittney Burgess ’22E (MM) and doctoral student pianist Maeve Berry ’21E (MM) performing “Breathe” by Adrienne Danrich and Drew Hemenger. This piece was written in 2020 after the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement.

• Dr. Chat Bot: Non–Medical Center faculty, staff, and all students | Medical Center employees
• COVID-19 Resource Center | Medical Center’s COVID-19 update page
• Current campus face mask policies
• Faculty and staff vaccine participation form (VPN or on-campus network connection required)
• FAQ on COVID-19 vaccination
• What to do if you or your close contacts have symptoms or have been exposed