A new era for transportation at the UW began Monday,May 16, with the official launching — amid speeches, smiles and blustery weather — of the two tunnel-boring machines that will carve out a new light rail link from the UW to Capitol Hill.


A new era for transportation at the UW began Monday,May 16, with the official launching — amid speeches, smiles and blustery weather — of the two tunnel-boring machines that will carve out a new light rail link from the UW to Capitol Hill.

The UW Farm and UW Department of Anthropology will host a fundraising dinner and reception featuring local, seasonal foods. “A Taste of Spring” will be held 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 26.

UW genome scientists have identified several sporadic mutations in children with autism spectrum disorder. By analyzing the protein-coding portions of the genome in 20 individuals with the disorder and in their parents, the researchers found 21 newly occurring mutations.

A more automated approach to bladder exams could be cheaper, more comfortable and more convenient. The system would use the UWs ultrathin laser endoscope, which is like a thin piece of cooked spaghetti, in combination with software that automatically creates a 3-D panorama of the bladder interior.

Scientists have demonstrated the use of computational methods to design new antiviral proteins not found in nature, but capable of targeting specific surfaces of flu virus molecules. The researchers created a protein that disabled the part of the 1918 pandemic flu virus involved in invading respiratory tract cells.

Mara Zalite, a leading poet and playwright from Latvia, will visit the UW campus Tuesday and Wednesday May 17 and 18, and give a reading of her poetry.

Student jazz ensembles coached by Marc Seales, Cuong Vu, Tom Collier and Steve Korn will perform “Jazz Innovations I and II” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, May 18 and 19, in Brechemin Auditorium.

With UW Accelerated Certification for Teachers — called U-ACT for short — the College of Education will become the credential program provider in Washington state for Teach For America.
Thanks to students at the UW Child and Youth Legislative Advocacy Clinic, Gov. Chris Gregoire will on Thursday, May 2 sign a bill that bans private credit reporting agencies from selling a youths criminal records after he or she turns 21.

Ali Tarhouni, a senior lecturer in finance and business economics, recently left the UW to become oil and finance minister for the group leading opposition to Libyan Dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The work is obviously difficult, but “after all these years,” Tarhouni said, “I welcome the challenge.”

Think you know the campus? Then try your luck with the Mystery Photo. Guess correctly and you might win a prize.

Wagner founded the Group Health Research Institute. He will receive the prize from the Baxter International Foundation and the Association of University Programs in Health Administration this June.

Marilyn Shelton provides complex nutrition support for trauma and intensive care unit patients at Harborview Medical Center. The Washington State Dietetic Association has presented her with its Clinical Practice and Research Award for Excellence.

The UW Tower Green Fair will be held in the UW Tower cafeteria from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 19, bringing UW people and units involved in green initiatives together with local nonprofit groups and businesses that also think green.

Sound Transit will be hosting several open houses to show the current design plans for new stations, including the one in the University District, and to hear thoughts and ideas from the community.

A number of staff from the UW Libraries will be participating in the Seattle Archives Preservation Roadshow on May 14 at the National Archives and Records Administration regional office, 6125 Sand Point Way NE. The event is designed to help the public learn how to preserve their treasured family and personal materials.

The peak season for grass and weed allergies has started. Kelsy Platt, an advanced nurse practitioner at the UW Medicine Neighborhood Clinic in Factoria, has some tips to keep allergies and asthma from limiting your summer plans.

UW sociologists are studying naval records of mutinies as a way to see how modern-day ill-treatment toward subordinates can lead to violence.

Gordon Lafer, a former top adviser on congressional labor policy, will visit Seattle on Tuesday, May 17, to discuss the hot topics of labor law and policy. He will lecture on “Labor in the House: Trying to Build a Pro-Worker Agenda in Congress” 3-4:30 p.m. in the Parrington Hall Forum.

Experienced researchers and health professionals will discuss how they worked through and handled ethical dilemmas likely to be encountered by professionals newly entering the field of global health.
If youve ever considered writing about your life — whether for publication or just for your family — you can sign up for a free introductory session of Guided Autobiography. The session will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 19, in 156 Gerberding.

Six new dances will be presented at the MFA Dance Concert May 19-22, and though two share the same theme, they are very different.

Have you ever wondered how sororities impact academic achievement in the Latina community or how marijuana use among college students impacts educational attainment? These are some of the topics to be discussed May 19-21 at the Pacific Northwest McNair & Early Identification Program Research Conference.

The Science and Policy Summit, sponsored by the Graduate and Professional Student Senate, will be held on Friday, May 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the UW Tower. The summit aims to open a dialogue between scientists and policy makers.

Corella Ballet Castilla y León performs at Meany Hall at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, May 19-21.

The air will be filled with the sound of music, as the School of Music plunges into a busy season of concerts in coming days.
UWTV and the Seattle International Film Festival are teaming up to provide an exclusive opportunity to UW students and the community to preview some of the 400 films featured at the annual film festival. “Husky Film Night” is set for 7 p.m. Monday, May 16, in the Walker-Ames Room, Kane Hall.

The Seattle Modern Orchestra, led by co-artistic directors and School of Music alumni Julia Tai and Jeremy Jolley, will perform their season finale at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 13, in Meany Hall. The program is titled 20th Century Concerti.
UW Press editors Lorri Hagman and Jacqueline Ettinger present “From Dissertation to Book,” an overview of academic book publishing, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 17 in 220 Odegaard.

The world population could reach 10.1 billion people by the year 2100, according to a statistical model for future fertility developed by UW statisticians.

University of Washington statisticians used a computer model to study the effect of replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct on commuter travel times. They found that relying on surface streets would likely have less impact on travel times than previously reported, and that effects on commute times are not well known.
University Book Store will be hosting We (heart) U: Our Campus Thank You Celebration on Wednesday, May 11. All current UW students, staff, and faculty are invited to save 20 percent storewide (some restrictions apply), and can enter to win gift baskets and prizes.
“Standing at the Crossroads: Why Race, Radicalism and Repression on the Pacific Coast and Beyond Matter Now” is the title of the keynote address that will kick off a May 12-14 conference, “Race, Radicalism and Repression on the Pacific Coast and Beyond.”
If youve seen the fence around Drumheller Fountain, you might wonder how 2011 graduates and their friends and relatives will get those great photos traditional for graduation. Not to worry—the fountain is undergoing routine maintenance but should be back to its normal glory by May 27.

The increase in overdoses from prescription pain killers has led to changes in Washington state law governing physician practice. This law is setting an example other states might follow. As opioid therapy standards change, the UW is helping physicians in the region learn new skills in managing pain.

Dr. Martha J. Somerman, dean of the UW School of Dentistry, has been named director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Timothy A. DeRouen, executive associate dean for research and academic affairs at the dental school, will serve as interim dean.
Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a new law clearing the way for branch campuses of the states research universities — the University of Washington and Washington State University — to offer doctoral degree programs with the approval of the states Higher Education Coordinating Board. UW Tacoma plans to offer a doctorate in education.

On May 9, UW undergraduates will showcase their civic engagement projects at the 20th Annual Spring Celebration of Service and Leadership. It will be held 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Walker Ames room of Kane.

The South Asia Center at the Jackson School of International Studies is presenting a speaker series in May on the topic of the Persian language and the vernaculars of South Asia. The lectures are in conjunction with a senior seminar being taught by Heidi Pauwels.

Donald K. Grayson, a UW anthropology faculty member since 1975, and Daniel Gottschling, a member of the Basic Science Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, have been elected members of the National Academy of Sciences.