UW News
The latest news from the UW
January 18, 2018
Civil War-era U.S. Navy ships’ logs to be explored for climate data, maritime history
A new grant will let a University of Washington-based project add a new fleet to its quest to learn more about past climate from the records of long-gone mariners. The UW is among the winners of the 2017 “Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives” awards, announced Jan. 4 by the Washington, D.C.-based Council on Library…
Tag(s): climate change • College of the Environment • Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean and Ecosystem Studies • Kevin WoodJanuary 17, 2018
Arts Roundup: Performances by Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, UW Symphony, Scholarship Chamber Group and more
This week in the arts, watch dancers tell a story of resilience in their final performance of an exciting trilogy, become enchanted by the UW Symphony at Benaroya Hall, and see undergraduate students perform challenging works from the piano and strings repertoire.
Tag(s): Department of Dance • School of Music
Scale-eating fish adopt clever parasitic methods to survive
A small group of fishes — possibly the world’s cleverest carnivorous grazers — feeds on the scales of other fish in the tropics. A team led by biologists at the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories is trying to understand these scale-feeding fish and how this odd diet influences their body evolution and behavior.
Tag(s): Adam Summers • College of Arts & Sciences • College of the Environment • Department of Biology • Friday Harbor Laboratories • School of Aquatic and Fishery SciencesJanuary 16, 2018
Task interrupted: A plan for returning helps you move on
Get interrupted at work much? Making a quick plan for returning to and completing the task you’re leaving will help you focus better on the interrupting work, according to new research from the University of Washington.
Tag(s): Sophie Leroy • UW Bothell
Researchers program biomaterials with ‘logic gates’ that release therapeutics in response to environmental triggers
Drug treatments can save lives, but sometimes they also carry unintended costs. After all, the same therapeutics that target pathogens and tumors can also harm healthy cells. To reduce this collateral damage, scientists have long sought specificity in drug delivery systems: A package that can encase a therapeutic and will not disgorge its toxic cargo…
Tag(s): Cole DeForest • College of Engineering • Department of Chemical Engineering • Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine • Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute • School of Medicine
A ‘touching sight’: How babies’ brains process touch builds foundations for learning
Touch is the first of the five senses to develop, yet scientists know far less about the baby’s brain response to touch than to, say, the sight of mom’s face, or the sound of her voice. Now, through the use of safe, new brain imaging techniques, University of Washington researchers provide one of the…
Tag(s): Andrew Meltzoff • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Psychology • I-LABSJanuary 11, 2018
Can the president really do that? Two UW law professors give answers in new book
Can the president single-handedly toss out environmental rules designed to combat global warming? Force states like Washington to help enforce federal immigration laws? Fire Robert Mueller? No, no, and not directly, say Lisa Manheim and Kathryn Watts, professors of law at the University of Washington, in a new book. The answers, of course, are more complicated…
Tag(s): books • Kathryn Watts • Lisa Manheim • School of LawJanuary 10, 2018
Arts Roundup: Trojan Women: A Love Story, Faculty Dance Concert, Ethnomusicology Visiting Artist Concert: Sepideh Raissadat, and performances by Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company
This week in the arts, experience a modern portrayal of a classic Greek Tragedy, see the annual Faculty Dance Concert featuring new collaborations with students and guest artists, hear an internationally renowned classical vocalist showcase her work with UW students, and watch dancers tell a story of resilience in the first performance of an exciting trilogy.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Dance Faculty Concert • Department of Dance • School of Drama • School of MusicJanuary 9, 2018
Mark Richards, former dean at UC Berkeley, named provost at the UW
University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce today named Mark Richards provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. The appointment is effective July 1, 2018. Richards, a geophysicist, is a professor of Earth and planetary science at the University of California, Berkeley, where he previously served as dean of mathematical and physical sciences from…
Tag(s): Mark Richards • Q&A
Public hearing notice: Governing access to public records, copying
The purpose of the hearing is to allow all interested persons an opportunity to present their views, either orally or in writing, on the proposed amendments to WAC 478-276-100, “Governing Access to Public Records, Copying.”
January 8, 2018
UW Reality Lab launches with $6M from tech companies to advance augmented and virtual reality research
The UW Reality Lab is launching with $6 million from Facebook, Google, and Huawei to accelerate innovation in augmented and virtual reality and educate the next generation of researchers and practitioners.
Tag(s): Brian Curless • College of Engineering • Ira Kemelmacher-Shlizerman • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • Steve SeitzJanuary 5, 2018
UW ranks No. 5 nationally for social science research funding
The University of Washington is ranked fifth among more than 400 U.S. colleges and universities for social science research funding, according to a new report. The Consortium of Social Science Association’s 2018 College and University Rankings for Federal Social and Behavioral Science R&D was released this week. The UW, with $38.6 million in…
Tag(s): RankingsJanuary 4, 2018
New book ‘City Unsilenced’ explores protest and public space
Jeff Hou, UW professor of landscape architecture, discusses the new book he co-edited with Sabine Knierbein, “City Unsilenced: Urban Resistance and Public Space in the Age of Shrinking Democracy.”
Tag(s): books • College of Built Environments • Department of Landscape Architecture • Department of Urban Design and PlanningJanuary 3, 2018
Space dust, not aliens: Two UW astronomers assist in new research on ‘mysterious’ star
UW astronomers Brett Morris and James Davenport assisted in new research on “Tabby’s Star,” named for Louisiana State University astronomer Tabetha Boyajian.
Tag(s): astronomy & astrophysics • Brett Morris • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Astronomy • James Davenport
Arts Roundup: Performances by violinist Itzhak Perlman, Takács Quartet with special guest Erika Eckert, a riveting play — Trojan Women: A Love Story and more
This week in the arts, listen to a duo performance of piano professors, hear the internationally acclaimed Takács String Quartet, promising young pianist Scott Cuellar, immerse yourself in the post-apocalyptic world of Trojan Women: A Love Story, and attend a performance by Grammy and Emmy Award Winning violinist Itzhak Perlman.
Tag(s): ArtsUW • College of Arts & Sciences • School of Drama • School of Music
Popular exhibit on Latino music debuts as a book: A Q&A with UW faculty authors of ‘American Sabor’
When “American Sabor” opened at what was then the Experience Music Project a decade ago, its University of Washington creators saw it as a chance to celebrate the extensive Latino contribution to popular music. It was a product of years of interviews and research, and an often challenging exercise in collaboration and presentation. But…
Tag(s): books • College of Arts & Sciences • gender • Marisol Berríos-Miranda • Michelle Habell-Pallan • Q&A • School of Music • Select Department of Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies Department of Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies • Shannon Dudley
Essay by UW historian Laurie Marhoefer named most memorable of 2017 by The Conversation US
An essay by Laurie Marhoefer, UW assistant professor of history, has been named the most memorable of the year 2017 by the editors and readers of The Conversation US.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of History • Laurie MarhoeferDecember 22, 2017
UW ranks No. 7 among public universities on Kiplinger’s 300 ‘Best College Values’ for 2018
The University of Washington is ranked No. 7 on Kiplinger’s 300 Best College Values for 2018 among public universities, released Dec. 22.
Tag(s): RankingsDecember 21, 2017
UW a leader in supporting Washington’s STEM students
Now serving its sixth cohort of students, the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship has helped more than 8,400 students attend the state’s universities and colleges. The UW has the largest number of scholarship recipients — 1,679 across all three campuses — and has seen more than 1,300 scholars graduate.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • education • STARS
Promoting self-esteem among African-American girls through racial, cultural connections
For African-American students, data, alongside societal attitudes and stereotypes, often present a negative picture: a wide academic achievement gap separating them from their white peers. Higher rates of discipline and absenteeism. Discrimination by other students, teachers and the larger community. And just last summer, a study indicated that black girls, from an early…
Tag(s): College of Education • Janine JonesDecember 20, 2017
UW’s 2017: A year of innovation, access and impact
In all corners of the University of Washington, staff, faculty and students are working hard to improve the lives of people around the world. This year undoubtedly embodied that passion and drive to serve the public good.
Tag(s): Year in reviewDecember 19, 2017
UW-authored books and more for the Dawg on your holiday shopping list
Here’s a quick look at some gift-worthy books and music created by UW talents in the last year or so — and a reminder of some perennial favorites.
Tag(s): Bill Holm • books • Charles Johnson • Cliff Mass • Craig Sheppard • Cuong Vu • Darrel Cowan • David Levy • David R. Montgomery • David Shields • Devin Naar • Estella Leopold • Frances McCue • Jeffrey Ochsner • Jesse Oak Taylor • Joe Janes • Margaret O'Mara • Margaret Willson • Marina Alberti • Marisol Berríos-Miranda • Melia Watras • Michelle Habell-Pallan • Odai Johnson • Pedro Domingos • Scott Allard • Scott L. Montgomery • Shannon Dudley • Steve Pfaff • Todd London • University of Washington PressDecember 18, 2017
Partnership will use robotic network to explore Antarctic ice shelves
A new partnership between the UW and Paul G. Allen Philanthropies will use a network of robots to observe conditions beneath a floating Antarctic ice shelf.
Tag(s): Applied Physics Laboratory • climate change • College of the Environment • Craig Lee • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • Knut Christianson • polar science • School of Oceanography
Fish to benefit if large dams adopt new operating approach
Recognizing that many large dams are here to stay, a University of Washington team is investigating an emerging solution to help achieve freshwater conservation goals by re-envisioning the ways in which water is released by dams.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Julian Olden • School of Aquatic and Fishery SciencesDecember 14, 2017
Loose skin and slime protect hagfishes from sharks
Researchers from the University of Washington, Chapman University and University of Guelph have published new research showing how hagfishes survive an initial attack from predators before they release large volumes of slime to defend themselves.
Tag(s): Adam Summers • College of the Environment • Friday Harbor LaboratoriesDecember 13, 2017
UW project seeks sustainable blueprint for hydropower dams
A new NSF-funded project will use findings in the Mekong River basin as an example of how three critical issues — feeding people, generating energy and maintaining functioning ecosystems — can be addressed thoughtfully and progressively in the developing world.
Tag(s): Adam Drewnowski • Bart Nijssen • College of Engineering • College of the Environment • Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • Gordon Holtgrieve • Rebecca Neumann • School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences • School of Environmental and Forest Sciences • School of Public Health • Soo-Hyung Kim
University of Washington celebrates fundraising and construction milestones for second computer science building
The University of Washington celebrated two major fundraising and construction milestones on Wednesday for the Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering, which will allow the UW to double its annual computer science and engineering degree production.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & EngineeringDecember 11, 2017
Q&A: UW’s Shuyi Chen on hurricane science, forecasting and the 2017 hurricane season
New faculty member Shuyi Chen answers some questions about hurricane science, hurricane forecasting and the 2017 storm season.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science • Q&A • Shuyi Chen • weather
Thoughts on macroeconomics by UW’s Fabio Ghironi among Bloomberg columnist’s ‘must-reads’ of 2017
Bloomberg News columnist Noah Smith has listed a paper by UW economist Fabio Ghironi as among “must-read” papers and books on economics in the year 2017.
Tag(s): Department of Economics • Fabio GhironiDecember 7, 2017
UW announces ambitious public commitment to educate more high-achieving low-income students
UW is among the first schools to announce public commitments through the American Talent Initiative. The UW aims to graduate an additional 125 low- to low-middle-income students per cohort by 2025.
A literary view of the human era: ‘Anthropocene Reading’
The Anthropocene epoch — the proposed name for this time of significant human effect on the planet and its systems — represents a new context in which to study literature. A new book of essays co-edited by Jesse Oak Taylor, UW associate professor of English, argues that literary studies, in turn, also can help us better understand the Anthropocene.
Tag(s): books • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of English • Jason Groves • Jesse Oak Taylor • Simpson Center for the Humanities
New research shows hydropower dams can be managed without an all-or-nothing choice between energy and food
The University of Washington, Arizona State University and other collaborators have proposed a method in the Dec. 8 issue of Science that allows hydroelectric dam operators to generate power in ways that protect — and possibly improve — food supplies and businesses throughout the Mekong river basin in Southeast Asia.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Gordon Holtgrieve • Julian Olden • School of Aquatic and Fishery SciencesDecember 6, 2017
Martin Luther, Steve Jobs and aspirational faith: Q & A with UW sociologist Steve Pfaff on ‘The Spiritual Virtuoso’
Alongside the political polarization that has permeated seemingly every issue in American life, there is a similar dichotomy in religion.On one side are those who suggest religion is dying, that’s it’s irrelevant, a force for ill and oppression, explains University of Washington sociology professor Steve Pfaff. On the other are those who say religion is…
Tag(s): books • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Sociology • Q&A • Steve PfaffDecember 5, 2017
Living cell membranes can self-sort their components by ‘demixing’
Scientists at the University of Washington show for the first time that the complex distribution of molecules within a membrane of a living yeast cell arises through demixing.
Tag(s): Alex Merz • cell biology • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Biochemistry • Department of Chemistry • Sarah Keller • School of Medicine
Making humanity’s challenges smaller and smaller: UW launches Institute for Nano-Engineered Systems
The University of Washington has launched a new institute aimed at accelerating research at the nanoscale: the Institute for Nano-Engineered Systems, or NanoES. The institute will pursue impactful advancements in a variety of disciplines — including energy, materials science, computation and medicine. Yet these advancements will be at a technological scale a thousand times smaller than the width of a human hair.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Institute for Nano-Engineered Systems • Karl Bohringer • Washington Clean Energy Testbeds
Rooftop wiretap aims to learn what crows gossip about at dusk
An interdisciplinary team is using a covert sound-based approach, worthy of an avian CSI, to study the link between crows’ calls and their behavior.
Tag(s): biology • Douglas Wacker • Shima Abadi • UW Bothell
In first, 3-D printed objects connect to WiFi without electronics
UW engineers have developed the first 3-D printed plastic objects that can connect to other devices via WiFi without using any electronics, including a laundry bottle that can detect when soap is running low and automatically order more.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • Shyam Gollakota • Vikram IyerDecember 3, 2017
Kim Nasmyth — a UW postdoctoral alumnus — wins Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for discoveries in cell biology, genetics
Kim Nasmyth, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Oxford and former postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington, is one of five recipients of the 2018 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. Nasmyth and other prize recipients were honored by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation at a ceremony December 3 at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California.
Tag(s): awards • Benjamin Hall • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Biology • Department of Genome Sciences • School of MedicineDecember 1, 2017
UW astrobiologists to discuss work, introduce IMAX film ‘The Search for Life in Space’ Dec. 6 at Pacific Science Center
Three University of Washington astrobiologists will discuss their research and introduce the new 3-D IMAX movie “The Search for Life in Space” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, in the PACCAR Theater of the Pacific Science Center.
Tag(s): Astrobiology Program • Brett Morris • College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • Erika Harnett • Marshall StyczinskiNovember 30, 2017
New textbook teaches Spanish language, culture through talk of food
Ana Gómez-Bravo created a class about Spanish food and culture a few years ago as a way to teach the language, but found no appropriate textbook for the material — so she wrote one herself. Her book “Comida y cultura en el mundo hispánico” — “Food and Culture in the Hispanic World” — was published in October by Equinox Publishing.
Tag(s): Ana Gómez-Bravo • books • Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies« Previous Page Next Page »
