University researchers have come up with a theoretical framework demonstrating how photons trapped in optical cavities are able to control chemical reactions.

“I think this will facilitate a quantum leap in chemistry,” says Pengfei “Frank” Huo, assistant professor of chemistry. “It will likely inspire new principles in chemistry, taking advantage of the quantum mechanical nature of photons to enable new ‘tuning knobs’ that are usually not accessible to chemists.”

As reported in the The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, the Huo group demonstrated that, by “tuning the fundamental properties of a photon, such as its frequency or the photon-matter coupling strength,” the reactivity of molecules could also be manipulated in the cavity.

Read more here.

The Rochester Prevention Research Center: National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR) will soon be able to expand its research and community outreach to Buffalo and Syracuse, thanks to a five-year, $3.75 million Prevention Research Center grant.

NCDHR will partner with community-based organizations in the Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse regions to run its highly-successful Deaf Weight Wise research program. Developed by deaf and hearing researchers and community members, Deaf Weight Wise aims to combat obesity among deaf ASL-users and scientifically track success.

Read more here.

Nadine Grimm, an assistant professor of linguistics, who has received the Panini Award from the Association of Linguistic Typology for her Grammar of Gyeli (a Bantu language spoken in Cameroon).

Mauricio Ibanez-Mejia, an assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences, who contributed chapters to the book Hace Tiempo (Long Ago), which was recently awarded the Alejandro Angel prize—an important scientific recognition in Colombia.

Ruben Flores joins the Department of History as an associate professor, after serving at the University of Kansas, where he was an associate professor of American studies with an appointment in history since 2007.

An intellectual and cultural historian of the United States and Mexico, Flores studies social reform movements and the use of university and government institutions as tools for creating social consensus. He is the author of Backroads Pragmatists: Mexico’s Melting Pot and Civil Rights in the United States (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014), which won the best book of the year award from the Society for United States Intellectual History. He also has authored book chapters that have appeared in American Labyrinth: Intellectual History for Complicated Times (Cornell University Press, 2018), Pragmatism in the Americas (Fordham University Press, 2011) and América Latina y la Revolución Mexicana (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 2010).

He is the recipient of two postdoctoral fellowships and two visiting fellowships—at the Smithsonian Institution, the Institute for Historical Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, the National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation, and the Clements Center for Southwest Studies at Southern Methodist University.

He received his PhD in history from the University of California, Berkeley.

Julie Sedivy, a cognitive scientist, writer, and editor, will conduct a two-day workshop, Nov. 7-8, on how to communicate science to a wider circle of audiences.

This workshop is co-hosted by the Center for Language Sciences, Writing Speaking and Argument Program, and the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the University.

On Nov. 7, Sedivy will give a public lecture on how scientific and creative/journalistic writing can come together in effective communication of science. On Nov. 8, she will lead two sessions of hands-on workshops (sign-up through our event website required).

This event is open to the public and welcomes all members of the UR community.

The University of Rochester, University at Buffalo and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center have joined together to form a powerful new drug discovery partnership, the Empire Discovery Institute.

The partnership aims to convert the institutions’ scientific breakthroughs into viable pharmaceuticals for commercialization and strengthen the region as a hub for life sciences research and development.

Through the Institute, a Medicines Discovery Award Program provides up to $7.5 million in support for two opportunities annually. Learn more and apply by Friday, November 29.

Up to two awards, with a maximum funding of $25,000 each, are available through the joint School of Nursing/School of Medicine and Dentistry Program of Excellence in HIV/AIDS, administered by the Center for AIDS Research.

This pilot program is intended to provide support for investigator teams to generate preliminary data that will facilitate the submission of subsequent competitive proposals for NIH-sponsored or other grants.

Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 22. Applications should be submitted as a single file attachment in PDF format. Click here for additional information. Contact Laura Enders at Laura_Enders@urmc.rochester.edu with any questions.

Postdoctoral fellows and early-career faculty now have more time to apply for the UR CTSI Career Development Award (KL2).

The award provides two years of support for the early career development of multidisciplinary clinical and translational scientists. The program fosters the transition of KL2 scholars to an independent career as a clinical and translational investigator, generally by means of an individual K- or R-award.

View the request for applications. Submit letters of intent by 5 p.m., Friday, December 6.

Isaac James Fisher, pharmacology, “Understanding Molecular Mechanisms of G-protein subunit βγ Activation of Downstream Effectors.” 9 a.m., today, October 11, 2019. 3-7619 Upper Auditorium (Medical Center). Advisors: Alan Smrcka and David Yule.

Katrina Rhonda Jew, toxicology, “Learning and Memory Deficits Following Ambient Ultrafine Particulate Matter Exposure in an Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model.” 9:30 a.m. October 15, 2019. Kornberg Medical Research Building | K307. Advisor: Alison Elder.

Ryan Severins, chemical engineering, “Elucidating the role of Rex transcriptional regulators in Clostridium thermocellum central metabolism.” 9:30 a.m. Oct. 16, 2019. 4506 Wegmans Hall. Advisor David Wu.

Today and tomorrow: Red Cell Club conference. Speakers from US, Canada and Europe address all aspects of erythrocyte (red blood cell) biology, Saunders Research Building. View more details.

Oct. 16: Work-in-Progress seminar: “Contextualizing Paradigm Shifts in Spatial Identities: Iconography and Street Art in Mumbai,” presented by Swapna Gobinath, Fulbright scholar-in-residence in Art and Art History/Visual and Cultural Studies. 12:30-2 p.m. Humanities Center Conference Room D, Rush-Rhees Library.

Oct. 16: “Best Practices for Being Prepared for an FDA Inspection,” presented by Karen Kosar, Public Health Service investigator,  and Joanne Schlossin, consumer safety officer, both with the FDA. Hosted by SCORE — the Study Coordinators Organization for Research and Education. 3-4:30 p.m., Upper Auditorium, Room 3-7619. Open to all UR staff, faculty and students, who are invited to attend in person or on Zoom. 

Oct. 16: Training workshop for the TriNetX cohort discovery tool that will replace the current i2b2 tool. With TriNetX investigators can search a limited set of electronic medical record data to determine the feasibility of their clinical trials. Participants should have a basic understanding of the TriNetX interface and be able to build simple queries. 2-4 p.m. SRB 1416. Register now. Learn more about TriNetX here.

Oct. 22: Deadline to apply for AS&E PumpPrimer II seed funding, typically up to $50,000 for up to one year, for innovative research projects to help the applicant establish a novel research direction and secure extramural funding. Submit proposal via the application portal. All eligibility criterion is enumerated in the guidelines. Direct questions to your respective AS&E assistant dean: Arts and Sciences – Debra Haring, debra.haring@rochester.edu; Engineering – Cindy Gary, cindy.gary@rochester.edu.

Oct. 23: Humanities Center Rosenberger Works-in-Progress lecture. Eduardo Herrera, Humanities Center fellow – “Making a Jewish Neighborhood: In-group/Out-group Sonic Dynamics in an Argentine Soccer Stadium.” 12:30 p.m., Humanities Center Conference Room D, Rush Rhees Library.

Oct. 24-26: “Manipulating Brain States” conference on neuromodulation, hosted by the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience. More than 20 internationally-renowned speakers will attend. Memorial Art Gallery. Learn more here. Click here to register.

Oct. 25: Conference co-sponsored by UNYTE on opportunities and challenges in research and clinical collaboration, including regional clinical, biomedical and translational research and advances in psychosocial care in pediatric hematology/oncology. 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Flaum Auditorium. Learn more.  Register now.

Oct. 30: Annual “Pediatrics Research Celebration Day” showcasing Medical Center pediatric research. Poster session and lecture by Robert M. Blum, the Emeritus William H. Gates, Sr. Professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the immediate past director, Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Flaum Atrium and Class of ’62 Auditorium.

Oct. 30: Phelps Colloquium Series:

• How do we “fix” urban schools? Moving beyond tests, takeover, and other policy tools. Kara Finnigan, professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, Warner School of Education.
• Can we TRANSFORM our nation’s approach to preventing child abuse and neglect? Yes, by using evidence-based practice. Sheree Toth, professor of psychology and psychiatry and director of the Mt Hope Family Center.

4–5:30 p.m. Hawkins-Carlson Room, Rush Rhees Library, River Campus. Reception preceding the talks. Click here to register. Questions? Contact Adele Coelho, faculty outreach coordinator, at (585) 273-2571 or by email at adele.coelho@rochester.edu.

Oct. 31: Pre-proposals due for Technology Development Fund awards. Eligible projects propose the development of a technology to a commercial endpoint. Awards are up to $100,000 and support animal testing, prototyping, and other proof-of-concept studies. Open to all faculty, staff, and students. A submitted invention disclosure to UR Ventures is required. Pre-proposals should be submitted to omar.bakht@rochester.edu.

Nov. 2: Immune Imaging Symposium on newest developments in understanding immune function through visualizing immunity “in action.” International speakers, an interactive poster session and opportunities for oral presentations from students and postdoctoral fellows. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Saunders Research Building. Registration is free, but preregistration is required. Learn more here.

Nov. 7: Humanities Center Rosenberger Works-in-Progress lecture. Chun Yi Sum,visiting assistant professor of anthropology – “Toast to Adulthood: Alcohol Consumption and Moral Personhood in Postreform China.” 12:30 p.m., Humanities Center Conference Room D, Rush Rhees Library.

Nov. 7-8: “Making Connections: How Scientists Can Write about Science for the Rest of the World.” Two-day workshop by Julie Sedivy, a cognitive scientist, writer, and editor. Co-hosted by Center for Language Sciences, Writing Speaking and Argument Program, and the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the University. Sign-up required at event website. This event is open to the public and welcomes all members of the UR community.

Nov. 11: Initial abstracts due for URCTSI funding through the Novel Biostatistical and Epidemiologic Methods Program, which supports the development of novel biostatistical and epidemiologic methods that help overcome specifically identified limitations and significantly enhance the validity and accuracy, scope or speed of clinical or translational research. Learn more and view the RFA.

Nov. 20: Training workshop for the TriNetX cohort discovery tool that will replace the current i2b2 tool. With TriNetX investigators can search a limited set of electronic medical record data to determine the feasibility of their clinical trials. Participants should have a basic understanding of the TriNetX interface and be able to build simple queries. 2-4 p.m. SRB 1412. Register now. Learn more about TriNetX here.

Nov. 21: Phelps Colloquium Series:

• From the bedside to the cloud: The digital revolution in behavioral health. Michael Hasselberg, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Dentistry.
• Emergence of cardiometabolic risk: The childbearing years. Susan Groth, associate professor, School of Nursing.

4–5:30 p.m., Feldman Ballroom, Douglass Commons, River Campus. Reception preceding the talks. Click here to register. Questions? Contact Adele Coelho, faculty outreach coordinator, at (585) 273-2571 or by email at adele.coelho@rochester.edu.

Nov. 22: 5 p.m. deadline to apply for up to two awards, with a maximum funding of $25,000 each, through the joint School of Nursing/School of Medicine and Dentistry Program of Excellence in HIV/AIDS, administered by the Center for AIDS Research. This pilot program is intended to provide support for investigator teams to generate preliminary data that will facilitate the submission of subsequent competitive proposals for NIH-sponsored or other grants. Applications should be submitted as a single file attachment in PDF format. Click here for additional information. Contact Laura Enders at Laura_Enders@urmc.rochester.edu with any questions.

Nov. 29: Deadline to apply for a Medicines Discovery Award through the Empire Discovery Institute. a new partnership of the University of Rochester, the University at Buffalo and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center to convert the institutions’ scientific breakthroughs into viable pharmaceuticals for commercialization and strengthen the region as a hub for life sciences research and development. The program provides up to $7.5 million in support for two opportunities annually. Learn more.

Dec. 3: Annual CFAR World AIDS Day Scientific Symposium. 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m, Keynote addresses will be presented in the Class of ’62 Auditorium (G-9425), Medical Center.  A poster session will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m .in Flaum Atrium.  Register your poster by November 1. Contact Laura Enders for more information.

Dec. 6:  5 p.m. deadline for postdoctoral fellows and early-career faculty to file letters of intent for the UR CTSI Career Development Award (KL2). The award provides two years of support for the early career development of multidisciplinary clinical and translational scientists. The program fosters the transition of KL2 scholars to an independent career as a clinical and translational investigator, generally by means of an individual K- or R-award. View the request for applications.