What paper wasps and their parasites can tell us about evolution, aging, and group living
The relationship between parasites and wasps makes them an ideal natural experiment for scientists. This summer, Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy, a research assistant professor of biology (above, far right), and a group of undergraduate students including, from left, Eisabella Sherwood ’23, Joseph Krell ’24, and Federico Sánchez-Vargas ’23 (T5), collected both native northern paper wasps and invasive European paper wasps at several sites throughout New York. The researchers hope to reveal the mechanisms that parasites use to manipulate their host’s brains, behavior, and physiology.
In today’s issue:
UHS is offering students the COVID-19 Pfizer bivalent booster by appointment
Faculty and staff have until October 12 to apply for the child care subsidy
Details on the world premiere of the commissioned play Fellowship
University flags on the Eastman Quadrangle and near the entrance of Strong Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department will be lowered Tuesday, October 4, for Jennifer Falter, a respiratory therapist in respiratory care, who died on July 29. Falter joined the University staff in 2009.
Dust and aerosols from the Vredefort impact would have spread across the planet and blocked sunlight, cooling the Earth’s surface, says Miki Nakajima, an assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences. “This could have had a devastating effect on photosynthetic organisms. After the dust and aerosols settled—which could have taken anywhere from hours to a decade—greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide that were emitted from the impact would have raised the global temperature potentially by several degrees for a long period of time.”
UHS offers students COVID-19 booster by appointment
University Health Service (UHS) has received a limited supply of the Pfizer bivalent booster vaccine for protection against COVID-19 and is scheduling appointments for University students. Log into UHSConnect to check availability and self-schedule your appointment. Additional appointment dates will be made available in the future.
More student COVID-19 vaccination information can be found on the UHS website, and the CDC provides a fact sheet on the Pfizer bivalent booster. Contact UHS at (585) 275-2662 with questions.
A conversation with Board of Trustees Chair Rich Handler ’83
Attend an interactive Q&A and discussion with Rich Handler ’83, CEO of Jefferies Financial Group and chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, on Friday, September 30, at 12:30 p.m. in Morey Hall, Room 321. Handler will discuss lessons learned and observations from his career.
Applications are being accepted for the child care subsidy through Wednesday, October 12. The program was created to assist eligible faculty and staff with child care expenses by providing awards of up to $3,600 a year, depending on total household gross income, through the pre-tax Dependent Care FSA. Join the Office of Total Rewards today, September 28, at noon EDT for a webinar to get all of your questions answered. Register here. Can’t make it today? Register to join the next session, Tuesday, October 4, at 3 p.m. EDT.
Workshop on assigning student groups
Learn principles and techniques for assigning students to work in groups, including a brief introduction to the CATME software tool. The Teaching Center workshop is offered in conjunction with AS&E Instructional Technology on Thursday, September 29, from noon to 1 p.m. EDT on Zoom and is open to all University faculty. Sign up here to attend, and contact Rachel Remmel with any questions.
Open enrollment begins November 1
Open enrollment for 2023 University benefits will be held November 1–15. Be on the lookout for more information and materials coming your way in mid-October.
Register for the Mindful Practice in Medicine facilitator training workshop
Participate in this five-day, retreat-like workshop to advance your teaching skills and energize your clinical work through greater attentiveness, self-awareness, teamwork, and self-monitoring in stressful and demanding clinical situations. Learn more about and register for the workshop, which was developed by physicians. The workshop takes place November 8–12 at the Chapin Mill Retreat Center in Batavia; discounted registration fees end on October 25.
World premiere of commissioned play at Sloan Performing Arts Center
Fellowship, a newly commissioned theatrical work for the International Theatre Program’s New Voice Initiative, holds its world premiere this week at the Sloan Performing Arts Center. The play was written by Sam Chanse and first developed during her artist residency at Rochester in 2019. Fellowship opens Thursday, September 29, and runs through Saturday, October 8. Find more details and ticket information. Pictured from left are Cynthia Xiao ’24 and Jesika Barnes ’23, members of the production’s cast.
Explore graduate program offerings at the Warner School
Attend a Warner School of Education virtual admissions information session on Thursday, September 29, from 4 to 5 p.m. EDT to learn more about graduate programs in counseling, educational leadership, education policy, health professions education, higher education, human development, online teaching, program evaluation, and teaching. The next application deadline is October 15. Contact Warner School’s admissions office with questions. Learn more and register to attend.
UR Fitness Center open house with optional trial
Visit the UR Fitness Center in College Town Thursday, September 29, and Friday, September 30, for a tour or a trial workout on either day. Find more information here.
I-Corps@NCATS Regional Short Course offered
The Ain Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute are partnering to host the I-Corps@NCATS Regional Short Course this fall. The free virtual course is designed for biomedical scientists, clinician scientists, and engineers to provide a new approach to accelerate the translation of discoveries from the lab to clinical practice. It is meant for teams of faculty, postdocs, and students with biomedical innovations or ideas. Applications are due by October 3. Direct any questions to Karen Grabowski.
Koru OUTBreath for LGBTQ+ community
The Ain Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute are partnering to host the I-Corps@NCATS Regional Short Course this fall. The free, five-week virtual course is designed for biomedical scientists, clinician scientists, and engineers to provide a new approach to accelerate the translation of discoveries from the lab to clinical practice. It is meant for teams of faculty, postdocs, and students with biomedical innovations or ideas. Applications are due by October 3. Direct any questions to Karen Grabowski.
Masking when around other people indoors is strongly encouraged, especially for those who are at increased risk of severe illness if they become infected. Patient care areas, as well as University shuttles and transportation, continue to require masking. A full description of Medical Center masking requirements is available on the URMC Intranet (University network access required).
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