Better breast cancer diagnosis through machine-learning ultrasound
Mammography is the gold standard for breast cancer diagnosis, but it’s not reliably accurate in all cases, especially in people with dense breasts. Avice O’Connell, a professor of imaging sciences, Kevin Parker, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Jihye Baek, a PhD student in electrical and computer engineering, have launched a research project incorporating ultrasound with machine learning for previously detected masses. The end result: nearly 98 percent accuracy in predicting breast cancer in these masses.
In today’s issue:
Students can now request unlimited guest tickets when registering to attend the University Commencement Ceremony
The next meeting of the Teaching Center Podcast Club focuses on faculty mindset
A survey from the UHS Health Promotion Office for staff who work with students
DPS Alert: Phone scam claims your college student was arrested and needs bond money
The Department of Public Safety shares that a nationwide phone scam is using phone numbers similar to a campus public safety phone number to call a college student’s parents or guardians and falsely inform them that their student has been arrested. The caller claims to need money to post bond. Although similar to the “grandparents scam” and others, this effort appears to specifically target academia.
The most important action you can take to prevent being scammed is to verify the identity of anyone who calls or emails and asks for your personal information. Ask for a caller’s name, agency affiliation, and phone number. Tell them that you will call them back or respond through an agency’s legitimate customer service channels. Never provide personal data such as a Social Security number, credit card or bank account number, or your address to unknown persons over the phone or internet. Review and share the department’s guidance on scams and fraud.
Telemedicine extends reach of stroke and neurological care
The River Campus ID Office in Susan B. Anthony Halls will be closed today, April 21, to begin preparations for renovation. ID-production services will be available for the day at Public Safety headquarters at 612 Wilson Boulevard from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The office will reopen on Monday, April 24, at 10 a.m.
Undergraduate Writing Colloquium Award recipients
The Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program announces the winners of the 2023 Undergraduate Writing Colloquium Awards. With over 200 submissions, the contest had a record-setting number of submissions this year. Graduate student and faculty judges selected first-place and honorable mention winners in five categories: humanities, natural and applied sciences, multimodal projects, social sciences, and WRTG. The winners’ names and their works can be found here.
2023 Commencement Update: Unlimited guest tickets now available for University ceremony
Students can request unlimited guest tickets when registering to attend the University Commencement Ceremony held on Friday, May 12. Students who have already registered can request additional tickets by signing in to the registration portal and providing the confirmation number they received by email after registering. Visit the Commencement website for details or questions.
Enrolled-student survey
The University surveys all undergraduate students in AS&E and at the Eastman School of Music about their academic and student life experiences. A number of Rochester’s peer schools administer the same survey every two years allowing the University to make useful comparisons.
Students should check their email for a personal invitation to complete the Consortium on Financing Higher Education Enrolled Student Survey. Results from the survey will be used to support student programming at Rochester.
The survey asks students to evaluate the University and to share feedback about their engagement as a student, their interactions with faculty, how much they think they’ve learned, and what they’ve done outside of the classroom—including work and extracurricular activities. Survey answers are important and will inform efforts to improve programs.
Write-A-Thon for AS&E students
The Writing Fellows will be available for 12 straight hours from 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, through 3 a.m. on Monday, April 24, to assist with your papers—from any discipline and at any stage in the writing process—while you refuel with pizza and snacks. Drop by the Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program Office (G-122), Rush Rhees Library.
Grad stage to grad school: receive your Simon admission decision before you graduate
Simon Business School is offering a special opportunity to graduating seniors at Rochester: if you apply to one of Simon’s MS Programs (Accountancy, Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing Analytics, or the part-time Online MS in Business Analytics) by 11:59 p.m. on May 1, you will receive your admission decision before you walk at Commencement on May 12. Additional benefits include an application fee waiver of up to a $100 value, the option to apply without a GMAT/GRE score, and a guaranteed $10,000 scholarship if admitted. If you have questions, set up a time for a brief chat with an admissions team member.
Rochester instructors are invited to listen in advance to a podcast episode and then to gather on Zoom to discuss. On Friday, April 28, from noon to 1 p.m., participants will discuss an episode featuring Elizabeth Canning, an assistant professor of psychology at Washington State University, and her research on faculty growth mindset and its impact on student learning. Learn more and register here.
Survey for staff who work with students
The UHS Health Promotion Office is seeking staff input to help with the development of a new training program for faculty and staff and is inviting staff to complete this brief survey by May 1. This program is designed to offer participants simple strategies they can use to navigate conversations with students who are struggling and to teach participants how to cultivate supportive environments that can enhance student well-being. The program will include a series of workshops from a variety of campus experts in the fields of student support and well-being, as well as a guidebook with expert advice, practical tools, case studies, and best practices. The training program, “Well-Being for Life and Learning Training Program,” is scheduled to launch in fall 2023.
Get fitness help from an expert through Well-U
Get serious about your health and start making changes. Enroll in Fitness 101Â through Well-U starting on April 28 to get started.
All students, faculty, and staff are invited to join a discussion forum today, April 21, to learn more about the University’s 2030 strategic plan goals and objectives, ask questions, and provide feedback. A virtual session will take place at 3 p.m. via Zoom. No registration is required. Find the schedule of upcoming forums.
PositiviTEA talk with the Mindful University Project
Join the Mindful University Project for a Tuesday PositiviTEA talk on April 25 at noon. Take a 15-minute break to make a cup of tea, join on Zoom, and take a mindful moment to acknowledge what you’re grateful for and to recenter your energy. Be sure to register.
Earth Week talk with Wendsler Nosie
Attend a talk from Wendsler Nosie, the former chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe in Arizona and an advocate for the protection of Indigenous sacred sites and the environment. Nosie will share his insights and experiences on the importance of preserving the planet and its natural resources and discuss the critical role that Indigenous peoples play in protecting the Earth and their traditional knowledge of sustainability. Hosted by the MK Gandhi Institute, the event takes place Thursday, April 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 North Fitzhugh Street. This event is offered on a sliding scale cost with all contributions going directly to Nosie. Register here.
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