In a typical recession in the US economy, most job losses are permanent. Only a small percentage are considered temporary, where a worker can reasonably expect to be called back.

But Rochester economics professor Lisa Kahn says the COVID-19 recession is anything but typical. Temporary unemployment reached a high of around 80 percent during the COVID-19 recession. That peak, from last May, declined as expected—until progress stalled in controlling the spread of the virus.

Rebutting assertions that lockdowns have put a drag on the economy, Kahn says, “The shutdowns are not what have been driving the economic collapse; it’s the global pandemic.”

Kahn’s insights are based on a study in which she—along with fellow economists Eliza Forsythe of the University of Illinois, Fabian Lange of McGill University, and David Wiczer of Stony Brook University—documented the evolution of the labor market from mid-March through November 2020.

Learn more in a Q&A with Kahn.

As the United States enters a new chapter with a new presidential administration, astrophysicist Adam Frank, the Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, reflects on what he calls this past year’s “dark times” amidst a raging COVID-19 pandemic and a divisive political climate.

One bright spot was the endurance of science.

“Throughout all our turmoil, American science has not wavered,” Frank writes in a piece for NBC News. “Instead, American science in all its forms—the institutions, individuals and culture—has not only remained solid through the crises, but also provided us a path out of the darkness.”

Frank notes several striking examples of scientific breakthroughs in 2020:

• while vaccines usually take decades to develop, researchers worked tirelessly and used cutting-edge genetic science to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine in fewer than 12 months;
• artificial intelligence techniques based on Google’s DeepMind pinpointed breast cancer cells with higher accuracy than doctors could;
• the privately owned company SpaceX safely launched American astronauts into space.

These achievements show that greatness is possible, Frank writes, “when we work together and hold fast to the truth.”

Frank’s research is in the general area of theoretical astrophysics, and in particular, the hydrodynamic and magneto-hydrodynamic evolution of matter ejected from stars. A self-described “evangelist of science,” Frank has also been awarded several prestigious honors for his efforts to communicate about science. His most recent book, Light of the Stars (W.W. Norton, 2018) was awarded the 2019 Phi Beta Kappa Award for Science.

The Translational Science Interagency Fellowship (TSIF) program, sponsored by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and the FDA, provides training in both translational and regulatory science.

Fellows will be trained in preclinical translational science, technology development, and regulatory research and review.

This three-year program will enable fellows to build awareness of regulatory requirements into the early stages of medical product development to improve efficiencies in the development and review processes. Applications are due Monday, February 15. Contact Scott Steele for questions.

The Bridging Fellowship program is a university-wide effort to support faculty members in interdisciplinary study.

The program releases members from departmental obligations for one semester to allow them to move to another part of the university for the purpose of learning aspects of another discipline.

Proposals for the fellowship should be sent by Friday February 26, 2021 to Dirk Bohmann and Martin Zand.

All proposals must also contain a clear account of goals for the project and how the project will benefit the academic programs of the university.

As part of University’s continued mission to learn, discover, heal, create—and make the world Ever Better—the Office of Equity and Inclusion has recently obtained a University-wide institutional membership to the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD).

Through this membership, faculty, postdocs, and graduate students will have access to critical tools for their scholarship and for cultivating an equitable, respectful, and welcoming culture at Rochester. The NCFDD is an independent professional development and mentoring community with members from over 450 colleges and universities.

To claim your membership, go to www.FacultyDiversity.org/Join and select the University of Rochester from the list of members. If you have any technical questions, feel free to email NCFDD at Membership@FacultyDiversity.org

A new Warner School initiative is aimed at reimagining how it:

• does research,
• connects with the community,
• prepares practitioners and researchers,
• focuses on equity and inclusion,
• structures its organizational environment,
• makes an impact.

All students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the Warner School, the University of Rochester, and members of the Greater Rochester community are encouraged to submit their ideas for what they think the Warner School’s strategic priorities should be in these six areas.

Please submit your ideas by March 1, 2021.

Here are important links for researchers:

• The University’s COVID-19 Resource Center for important updates and guidance on working, teaching, and learning remotely
• University of Rochester Medical Center website for restrictions, resources, and news
• Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA) site on Coronavirus 2019 resources related to sponsored programs
• The University’s COVID-19 “Restart and Recovery” web page

CHAT BOT CHALLENGE FOR STUDENTS: Students can sign up to join the Dr. Chat Bot Challenge, receive a button to signify their involvement, complete their daily University Dr. Chat Bot health screening each day, and be entered to win weekly, monthly, and grand prize drawings. Can you get the longest streak of completions? Learn more about the competition and the prizes available, including a parking pass, dining plan, iPad, and more. All students who are going to be in-person on University property at any point during the competition for the spring 2021 semester are eligible to participate.

PLEASE NOTE that the University’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily and dashboard numbers may reflect additional cases confirmed later in the day. When a new case is known, the contact-tracing process begins immediately with the Monroe County Health Department, with confirmed exposures being contacted and required to quarantine. Remember:

• A temperature of 100 °F (37.8 °C) or higher
• Chills
• Muscle or body aches
• Severe fatigue
• Headache
• Congestion or runny nose
• Sore throat
• Loss of taste, smell, or appetite
• Cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea