UW News
The latest news from the UW
January 4, 2021
Faculty/staff honors: Distinguished educator, historic preservation planning award — and a film documentary appearance
Recent honors to and awards for UW faculty and staff members include a documentary film appearance, a distinguished educator award and an honor for historic preservation planning.
Tag(s): Ann Bostrom • ASUW Shell House • Department of History • Evans School of Public Policy & Governance • Glennys Young • Matt Newman • Nicole KleinDecember 28, 2020
Beyond COVID-19: A look back at 2020 at the UW
While this year in scientific research will be defined by the novel coronavirus pandemic and the incredible advances in testing, genome sequencing and vaccination that were made as a result, other significant research and work continued on and around the University of Washington’s campuses. Here’s a timeline of the research and work that went beyond COVID-19.
In pandemic milestone, UW brings COVID-19 vaccines to frontline health care workers
The first scheduled to receive vaccinations were frontline personnel working with COVID-19 patients. In addition to patient-care staff in intensive care units, COVID acute care floors and emergency departments, the immediate list also included environmental services staff, as well as emergency medical responders in the community. Next in line are nursing home residents and their caregivers.
Tag(s): COVID-19 • Harborview Medical Center • UW Medicine
ArtSci Roundup: Protest, Race and Citizenship across African Worlds, TEAL Digital Scholarship for East Asian Studies: The Deep Fake of Place, and More
During this time of uncertainty and isolation, find solace in digital opportunities to connect, share, and engage. Each week, we will share upcoming events that bring the UW, and the greater community, together online. Many of these online opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Beyond…
Tag(s): African Studies Program • ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Comparative History of Ideas Program • Department of Geography • Department of History • Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilization • Department of Political Science • Evans School of Public Policy & Governance • Henry Art Gallery • Jackson School of International Studies • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • Simpson Center for the Humanities • UW Alumni Association
Dueling pulpits: Book by Jackson School’s Taso Lagos explores rivalry between two charismatic early-20th century preachers
In a new book, Taso Lagos of the UW Jackson School studies the rivalry between Aimee Semple McPherson and Robert “Fighting Bob” Shuler, two California-based performer-preachers who had the country’s rapt attention in the 1920s.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Jackson School of International Studies • Taso Lagos
Video: News and research highlights from 2020
As the year draws to a close, we present highlights from video stories produced by UW News during 2020 — a year that will be largely defined by the COVID-19 pandemic and the many ways it impacted our lives and work.
Tag(s): COVID-19December 23, 2020
Bait and switch: Mislabeled salmon, shrimp have biggest environmental toll
A study co-authored by UW’s Sunny Jardine finds that farmed Atlantic salmon, often labeled and sold as Pacific salmon or rainbow trout, is the second-most-consumed mislabeled seafood product in the U.S. Although not the most frequently mislabeled seafood, salmon’s popularity means it has one of the biggest environmental impacts.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • fisheries biology • food production • salmon • School of Marine and Environmental Affairs • Sunny JardineDecember 20, 2020
Soundbites & B-roll: UW students join vaccination effort
Journalists: download this video here. Keely Robinson (UW nursing student), Kendra Nguyen (UW pharmacy student) and Emily Wang (UW pharmacy student) talk about being a student and their role in upcoming COVID-19 vaccination clinics. ### Kiyomi Taguchi ktaguchi@uw.edu / 206-685-2716
December 18, 2020
Coral recovery during a prolonged heatwave offers new hope
The pressing concerns of climate change have placed the long-term health of the world’s coral reefs in jeopardy. However, new research inspires hope as some corals managed to survive a recent and globally unprecedented heatwave.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Danielle Claar • School of Aquatic and Fishery SciencesDecember 15, 2020
UW announces Maggie Walker Deanship in the College of the Environment
The University of Washington today announced a major gift that elevates the importance of climate change and secures the legacy of Seattle philanthropist Maggie Walker by creating a namesake deanship for the College of the Environment.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Lisa Graumlich • Maggie Walker
How to have holidays ‘full of love and connection’ and set goals for 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic and social-distancing guidelines have changed how we celebrate the holidays this year. University of Washington psychologist Jonathan Kanter explains that, by being intentional about how we approach and experience the season, we can find joy, and recognize – even embrace – how we’ve weathered this year.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • COVID-19 • Department of Psychology • Jonathan Kanter
A.I. model shows promise to generate faster, more accurate weather forecasts
A model based solely on the past 40 years of weather events uses 7,000 times less computer power than today’s weather forecasting tools. An A.I.-powered model could someday provide more accurate forecasts for rain, snow and other weather events.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Dale Durran • Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science • weatherDecember 14, 2020
Highlights: UW, Johns Hopkins symposium on preserving scientific integrity in COVID-19 vaccine research
Johns Hopkins University and the University of Washington brought together leading experts in October to explore these issues and put forward a concise plan for protecting the scientific integrity of these lifesaving efforts. Here’s a 4-minute highlight reel of the symposium.
Tag(s): COVID-19
Gift celebrates success of UW student and faculty work to grow businesses in underserved communities
The University of Washington today announced a $100,000 gift from UW Regent Joanne Harrell and her husband, former longtime Seattle elected leader Bruce Harrell, benefitting the Consulting and Business Development Center (CBDC) at the Foster School of Business.
Tag(s): Consulting and Business Development Center • Foster School of Business • UW Board of Regents
Behold! UW-authored books and music for the good Dawgs on your shopping list
Here’s a quick look at some giftworthy books and music created by UW faculty and staff in 2020, and a reminder of some recent favorites.
Tag(s): Anu Taranath • Charles Johnson • College of Engineering • Craig Sheppard • David Shields • Department of Astronomy • Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • Department of English • Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering • Department of Slavic Languages and Literature • Emily Levesque • Faisal Hossain • John Marzluff • Jose Alaniz • Margaret O'Mara • Michael Partington • Roger Sale • School of Music • Shana Lee Hirsch • Ted Poor • Tyler Sprague • University of Washington Press
ArtSci Roundup: Set in Motion, Drop-in Meditation Session, and More
During this time of uncertainty and isolation, find solace in digital opportunities to connect, share, and engage. Each week, we will share upcoming events that bring the UW, and the greater community, together online. Many of these online opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Set…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Baltic Studies Program • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • Center for Child and Family Well-Being • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Communication • Department of Political Science • Department of Scandinavian Studies • Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies • Henry Art Gallery • Jackson School of International Studies • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • School of Art + Art History + Design • School of Drama • School of MusicDecember 9, 2020
UW statement in response to claim by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
A statement from the University of Washington in response to allegations U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made during a speech at Georgia Tech on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020.
Warm oceans helped first human migration from Asia to North America
New research reveals significant changes to the circulation of the North Pacific and its impact on the initial migration of humans from Asia to North America. It provides a new picture of the circulation and climate of the North Pacific at the end of the last ice age, with implications for early human migration.
Tag(s): anthropology • Ben Fitzhugh • climate • College of Arts & Sciences • College of the Environment • Department of Anthropology • Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science • oceanographyDecember 8, 2020
Round 2 of Washington study underway to determine food, economic insecurity during pandemic
Understanding Washington residents’ access to food and their economic well-being – or lack of it – during the COVID-19 pandemic is vital for state and community partners to identify those needs and allocate resources effectively. To help accomplish this goal, the University of Washington, Washington State University and Tacoma Community College, along with input from…
Tag(s): Adam Drewnowski • Alan Ismach • Center for Public Health Nutrition • Chelsea Rose • COVID-19 studies • Esther Nguyen • James Buszkiewicz • Jennifer Otten • population health • Sarah Collier • School of Public Health • Washington State Food Security Survey
Annual notification: Anti-kickback, conflict of interest, whistleblower regulations and hotlines
Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR 52.203-7) require the University of Washington to implement procedures designed to prevent and detect violations of the Anti-Kickback Act of 1986 (41 USC 51-58). In addition, state regulations (RCW 42.40) require the university to provide annual notification to employees of the procedures and protections under the Whistleblower Act. These articles are…
NSF-funded deep ice core to be drilled at Hercules Dome, Antarctica
Antarctica’s next deep ice core, a 1.5-mile core reaching back to 130,000-year-old ice, will be carried out by a multi-institutional U.S. team led by UW’s Eric Steig. The site hundreds of miles from today’s coastline could provide clues to the most recent collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Tag(s): climate change • College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • Eric Steig • glaciers • polar science
Policies around pregnancy, birth during pandemic failing both patients and nurses
As an experienced nurse midwife, whose scientific research focuses on respectful and equitable care during pregnancy and childbirth, the University of Washington’s Molly Altman has been studying pregnancy and childbirth during the pandemic alongside colleagues across the UW and in affected communities. While her work is being distilled into formal studies that will be submitted…
Tag(s): COVID-19 • Molly Altman • population health • School of NursingDecember 7, 2020
The Smellicopter is an obstacle-avoiding drone that uses a live moth antenna to seek out smells
A team led by the UW has developed Smellicopter: an autonomous drone that uses a live antenna from a moth to navigate toward smells. Smellicopter can also sense and avoid obstacles as it travels through the air.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • College of Engineering • Department of Biology • Department of Mechanical Engineering • Sawyer Fuller • Tom Daniel
ArtSci Roundup: Re/frame: All Together Now, This Is Beethoven, and More
During this time of uncertainty and isolation, find solace in digital opportunities to connect, share, and engage. Each week, we will share upcoming events that bring the UW, and the greater community, together online. Many of these online opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Re/frame:…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Baltic Studies Program • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Dance • Department of Political Science • Department of Scandinavian Studies • Henry Art Gallery • Jackson School of International Studies • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of Drama • School of Music
Military flights biggest cause of noise pollution on Olympic Peninsula
A new University of Washington study provides the first look at how much noise pollution is impacting the Olympic Peninsula. The paper found that aircraft were audible across a large swath of the peninsula at least 20% of weekday hours, or for about one hour during a six-hour period. About 88% of all audible aircraft in the pre-pandemic study were military planes.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Julian Olden • School of Aquatic and Fishery SciencesDecember 5, 2020
UW statement on the suspension of Nahziah Carter
The UW’s Title IX Office acted swiftly to gather information, investigate the facts and render carefully considered decisions after fair hearings on these matters. The UW is committed preventing sexual assault and sexual harassment, and to supporting and protecting our students, faculty and staff while upholding due process, and properly investigating and addressing allegations of this nature.
December 3, 2020
Researchers discover how bean plants fend off famished foes
A team led by scientists at the University of Washington and the University of California, San Diego has discovered that cowpeas — a type of bean plant — harbor receptors on the surface of their cells that can detect a compound in caterpillar saliva and initiate anti-herbivore defenses.
Tag(s): Adam Steinbrenner • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Biology
UW student volunteers collect, donate devices for equitable online health care
Online access to health care is crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 20 UW undergraduates are part of a nationwide organization collecting used video-enabled devices and donating them to medical facilities for low-income and senior patients.
UW statement on the termination of professor John Sahr
In October 2019, the UW shared information about the results of a University Complaint Investigation and Resolution Office (UCIRO) investigation into alleged sexual misconduct on the part of John Sahr, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and former interim director of the Robinson Center for Young Scholars. The adjudication proceeding has concluded and Sahr’s employment was terminated on Nov. 12, and his tenure has been revoked.
Tire-related chemical is largely responsible for adult coho salmon deaths in urban streams
A team led by researchers at UW Tacoma, UW and Washington State University Puyallup has discovered a chemical that kills coho salmon in urban streams before the fish can spawn.
Tag(s): Center for Urban Waters • College of Engineering • Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • Edward Kolodziej • Jenifer McIntyre • UW Tacoma • Washington State University • Zhenyu Tian
Leaving so soon? Unusual planetary nebula fades mere decades after it arrived
The tiny Stingray Nebula unexpectedly appeared in the 1980s is by far the youngest planetary nebula in our sky. But a team of astronomers recently analyzed a more recent image of the nebula, taken in 2016 by Hubble, and found that it has faded significantly and changed shape over the course of just 20 years. If dimming continues at current rates, in 20 or 30 years the Stingray Nebula will be barely perceptible.
Tag(s): astronomy & astrophysics • Bruce Balick • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Astronomy
How a police contact by middle school leads to different outcomes for Black, white youth
A new University of Washington study finds that Black youth are more likely than white youth to be treated as “usual suspects” after a first encounter with police, leading to subsequent arrests over time. Even as white young adults report engaging in significantly more illegal behavior, Black young adults face more criminal penalties.
Tag(s): Annie McGlynn-Wright • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Sociology • Kevin Haggerty • Robert Crutchfield • School of Social Work • Social Development Research GroupDecember 2, 2020
COVID-19 vaccines may not prevent spread of virus, so mask-wearing, other protections still critical
Excitement and relief over news of vaccines that help prevent people from getting sick, winding up in the hospital or dying from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, are warranted, says University of Washington’s Dr. Larry Corey. But, these messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines may not prevent people from getting infected or spreading the virus….
Tag(s): COVID-19 • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center • Larry Corey • School of Medicine • vaccines
‘Performing Flight’: UW drama professor Scott Magelssen’s book studies aviation through perspective of performance studies
A talk with UW drama professor Scott Magelssen, who explores American aviation from the perspective of performance studies in his new book “Performing Flight.”
Tag(s): School of Drama • Scott Magelssen
Scientists organize to tackle crisis of coral bleaching
At the current rate of global warming, mass coral bleaching is expected to become more frequent and severe worldwide. An international consortium of scientists, including a coral researcher from the University of Washington, has created the first-ever common framework for increasing comparability of research findings on coral bleaching.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Jacqueline Padilla-Gamiño • School of Aquatic and Fishery SciencesNovember 30, 2020
ArtSci Roundup: Katz Lecture: Remaking the Silicon Society, The Button: The New Nuclear Arms Race and Presidential Power from Truman to Trump, and more
During this time of uncertainty and isolation, find solace in digital opportunities to connect, share, and engage. Each week, we will share upcoming events that bring the UW, and the greater community, together online. Many of these online opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Katz…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Dance • Department of History • Department of Political Science • Henry Art Gallery • Jackson School of International Studies • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of Drama • School of Music • Simpson Center for the Humanities • UW Alumni Association
Washington nonprofits feel more urgency during this ‘season of giving’
Nonprofit organizations throughout Washington state are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, as revenues and volunteering drop but demand for services remains high.
Tag(s): COVID-19 • Erica Barnhart • Evans School of Public Policy & Governance • Mary Kay Gugerty • Nancy Bell Evans Center on Nonprofits and PhilanthropyNovember 24, 2020
Microbes help unlock phosphorus for plant growth
A research team led by the University of Washington and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has shown that microbes taken from trees growing beside pristine mountain-fed streams in Western Washington could make phosphorus trapped in soils more accessible to agricultural crops. The findings were published in October in the journal Frontiers in Plant Science.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • School of Environmental and Forest Sciences • Sharon Doty
UW public health expert calls on state officials, citizens to defend and rebuild public health agencies
Even before the pandemic and disagreements over social restrictions recommended by public health officials across the state, public health agencies in Washington were struggling due to a lack of resources. In recent weeks, firings, resignations and death threats targeting local health officials has led to a staffing crisis in the agencies most responsible for local…
Tag(s): Betty Bekemeier • COVID-19 • Northwest Center for Public Health Practice • population health • School of Nursing
Study shows plant extinction is more common than previously realized
A new study reveals that 65 plant species have gone extinct in the continental United States and Canada since European settlement, more extinctions than any previous scientific study has ever documented.
Tag(s): Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • conservation • Department of Biology • Richard Olmstead« Previous Page Next Page »
