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April 19, 2023

Smartwatches may be key to development of new Parkinson’s treatments

New research led by Jamie Lynn Adams, an associate professor of neurology and at the Center for Health and Technology, shows that commercially available smartphones and watches, like the Apple Watch, are able to capture key features of early, untreated Parkinson’s disease. These technologies could provide researchers with more objective and continuous ways to measure the disease and bring new treatments to market faster—particularly for patients in the early stages of the disease.

In today’s issue:

  • The April issue of HR Intercom highlights staff service awards and more
  • The latest updates on the myURHR project
  • Attend the next REAL Conversations panel on women’s rights, policy politics, and gender
TODAY’S UPDATES

Andrés Arocho González ’24 to receive Truman Scholarship

Andrés Arocho ’24 photographed on Eastman Quad

Andrés Arocho González ’24 has been selected to receive a Truman Scholarship—the premier scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States. The political science major from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the first Rochester student to earn this prestigious honor since 2004.

Research shows more COVID-19 boosters likely needed

Stage 4 results of the COVAIL trial, led by Medical Center researchers, suggest the need to continually update COVID-19 boosters to better protect against emerging viral variants.


FOR STUDENTS

Meliora Scholars program applications now accepted

First-year students who are interested in pursuing an independent research project in the humanities or the humanistic social sciences (history and anthropology) may now apply to become Meliora Scholars. If selected, students will receive $3,000 in funding, which can be used to travel to a research site, go abroad for language study related to a project, carry out a humanities-based internship, pay for living expenses while researching, buy materials, make art, or other similar activities. Meliora Scholars are encouraged to attend Humanities Center events and specific programming and receive mentoring and assistance in finding advisors for their projects. Fill out the brief application. The deadline to apply is May 6.


FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

HR Intercom highlights staff service awards and more

This month’s issue of HR Intercom, a newsletter with information about Human Resources programs and materials, includes information about the staff honored with service awards, progress on the myURHR project, and more.

Getting ready for myURHR: Change Network launching soon

The myURHR project has reached an important milestone where the Office of Human Resources will begin to communicate more broadly with the University community about the project’s progress and how future changes will relate to faculty and staff. The myURHR Change Network is kicking off in the coming weeks and will consist of champions and super users from departments and schools across the University.

The group of champions and super users will provide input to the myURHR team and help support colleagues in their departments in order to get ready for the launch of myURHR, the University’s modernized Human Resources solution replacing HRMS in the spring of 2024. Find out next month who your champion and super users are.

The myURHR webpages are updated with new, pertinent information. Check out the expanded FAQ and be sure to visit often for project updates, benefits for you, and activities where you can learn more.

Get a biometric screening today

Have you had your annual biometric screening? Stop by Sarah Flaum Atrium today, April 19, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Same-day appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis as the schedule allows. If you don’t have time today, schedule your 20-minute appointment at an upcoming clinic. Biometric screenings are brought to you by Well-U.

Mindful Practice in Medicine Core Workshop approved for tuition reimbursement for Medical Center employees

The “Mindful Practice in Medicine Core Workshop: Find Joy and Resilience, and Enhance Quality of Care” is now approved for tuition reimbursement for eligible Medical Center employees. The immersive retreat-like experience will help you to energize your clinical work, find joy and resilience, and address burnout and moral distress. To ensure tuition reimbursement, proof of tuition cost, proof of payment, and proof of successful course completion need to be received by the Office of Total Rewards via email no later than 90 days following course completion. Find more information here. For additional information on the steps required for tuition reimbursement and the workshop visit the May 2023 online Core Workshop website or October 2023 in-person Core Workshop website.

Take advantage of your dental benefits

Have you seen your dentist this year? Remember that with both traditional and medallion dental coverage your plan pays 100 percent of in-network negotiated rates (no deductible) for two cleanings, oral exams, and bitewing X-rays per calendar year. Find more information on dental plans and coverage.


FOR THE COMMUNITY

Shop for spirit gear

Stop by Hirst Lounge in Wilson Commons on Thursday, April 20, to shop for Rochester spirit gear and accessories. The Barnes and Noble Bookstore will be on campus from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring its Julia Gash and Happy Place items. This event is sponsored by the bookstore and Wilson Commons Student Activities.

‘Breaking Boundaries with Video Games’ event

The fifth annual “Breaking Boundaries with Video Games” is a casual pop-up event of student work on video games. Undergraduate students will be on hand to discuss their multimodal works that demonstrate how ethics, emotion, access, economics, learning, narrative, and elements of design can be explored in video game scholarship. The event takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. in Evans Lam Square, Rush Rhees Library, on Friday, April 21. Learn more about the event.

Pediatric hematology/oncology division director candidate research presentation

Attend a pediatric hematology/oncology division director candidate research presentation from Jamie Flerlage, an assistant member at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Titled “Aiming for Just Right: Minimizing Late Effects While Curing Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma, 1990 to Today,” the presentation takes place on Tuesday, April 25, at 9 a.m. in Natapow Conference Room (1-9545), School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Virtual REAL Conversations panel: Women's rights, policy politics, and gender

Join a conversation with New York State Assemblymembers Patricia Fahy and Amy Paulin as they share their perspectives on how legislation and policies affect women and women’s rights and how women can deepen their understanding to navigate these dynamics. The event takes place Friday, April 28, at 1 p.m.

Mindful movement classes at the Goergen Athletic Center

Goergen Athletic Center hosts Zumba and yoga classes weekly until the end of the semester. Classes are open to all students and Goergen Athletic Center members. Find the class schedule and register here and stay up to date on all offerings.

  • Vinyasa yoga—Tuesdays, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.: Vinyasa classes are a strong moving flow that cultivates balance, stability, flexibility, and vigor. Breath awareness and coordination are carried throughout the practice as the asana ebbs and flows between effort and ease. This class is suitable for all levels and prior yoga experience is not required.
  • Zumba—Tuesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: A dance-based, interval-style workout set to Latin and international music. Everything can be modified to your fitness level.
  • Iyengar yoga—Wednesdays, 6 to 7 p.m.: This one-hour class is formatted for the beginner or intermediate yogi. Practice inversions, standing poses, backbends, and balancing poses.

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