The co-founder of an organization that seeks to exonerate wrongly convicted inmates through DNA testing will deliver the 35th installment of the Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture Series at Drake University.
Peter Neufeld, co-founder of The Innocence Project, will deliver the free public lecture at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, in the Drake University Knapp Center. Seating is general admission and tickets are not required. Learn more about Peter Neufeld and the Bucksbaum Lecture here.
There are 50 free flu vaccines left that have been reserved for faculty and staff through Drake’s Wellness program.
Vaccines will be given by appointment at the Student Health Center, 3116 Carpenter Ave. Please contact Drake Student Health Center at 271-3731 to schedule an appointment on or before Oct. 30. Vaccines will be given on a first come, first serve basis through Oct. 30, unless they run out before that date.
—Submitted by Cindy Adams, Associate Director, Human Resources
The seventh annual Heartland Global Health Consortium Conference, “Educating for Sustainable Global Health,” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, in Parents Hall of Drake’s Olmsted Center. The event is free for students, faculty, and staff. Registration is required and includes lunch.
The conference will include panels on the following topics:
The deadline for completing a biometrics screening with your physician or at a participating Hy-Vee location is next Monday, Oct. 19. Completing a biometrics screening plus an online wellness incentive will quality those on Drake’s health plan for the Wellness Incentive Program, which can save participants $300 off their health insurance in 2016.
Read more about completing your screening with your physician or at a Hy-Vee location. You can also still schedule an on-campus screening, with dates available Oct. 23–Nov. 13.
Please note, NO extensions will be granted. Find full information, a FAQ, and instructions here. (You may need to log in with your Drake ID and password.) Questions may be directed to Diana Lei-Butters at diana.lei-butters@drake.edu or 271-1871.
—Submitted by Cindy Adams, Associate Director, Human Resources
Principal Investigators: Robert Stensrud & Matt Bruinekool
Project Title: Council of State Administrators of Vocational
Rehabilitation (CSAVR) -Drake VR Counselor Support Network
Project Summary: This project will provide scholarships to students who pursue MS degrees in rehabilitation counseling and agree to take positions with state vocational rehabilitation agencies for internship and employment. The project also will create a national clearinghouse for matching open internship and job positions with students willing to travel to those locations. Guest speakers will be involved in speaking to classes via Skype, mentoring students via email, and assisting faculty in showing alternate employment settings.
Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education
Amount Awarded: $199,999
Principal Investigator: John Harrell
Project Title: Impact of Sedentary Time Accumulation on Cerebrovascular Reactivity
Project Summary: Funds will be used to test increases in cerebral blood flow in highly sedentary and non-sedentary young adults. Further, the research is aimed at investigating a specific mechanism (cyclooxygenase) of cerebral vasodilation.
Funding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration – Iowa Space Grant Consortium
Amount Awarded: $10,000
Principal Investigator: Adina Kilpatrick
Project Title: Using Synthetic Biology and Molecular Biophysics Tools to Design and Characterize Auto-Fluorescent Biosensors
Project Summary: Funds will be used for the development of a project-based molecular biophysics laboratory course for the spring 2016 semester. The goal of the project is to use tools from synthetic biology and molecular biophysics to design and characterize fluorescent biosensors that can be used in the detection of ions or to investigate protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. Biosensors containing cyan and yellow fluorescent proteins will be used to investigate the calcium-dependent interaction between calmodulin and the ryanodine receptor, two proteins involved in excitation-contraction coupling in muscle cells.
Funding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration – Iowa Space Grant Consortium
Amount Awarded: $5,000
Principal Investigator: Neil Hamilton
Project Title: Logistical Support for Conference on Soil and Water Policy
Project Summary: Funds will be used to host a conference at Drake on soil and water policy on Nov. 19-20, to determine the interface between science and policy in protecting and enhancing soil and water resources.
Funding Agency: USDA Agricultural Research Service
Amount Awarded: $5,000
—Submitted by Jayne Smith, Director, Sponsored Programs and Grant Management
Through the combination of LEAD 060 and FYS 038, Drake first-year students engaged in a service activity at Ruby Van Meter School, a local Des Moines middle school and high school that serves students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This service event involved hosting a homecoming carnival celebration.
The carnival took place on Sept. 29. The students of FYS 038 developed all the ideas and content for the carnival games and worked to ensure students of all abilities were able to participate. Examples of games included a whipped cream pie toss, prize walk, photo booth, duck derby, bean bag toss, and catapult game. Through this project, Drake first-year students were able to explore, grow, and build their communication skills by engaging with students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
—Submitted by Anisa Fornoff, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Students are invited to watch Tuesday’s debate among Democratic presidential candidates at a bipartisan watch party hosted by the Drake College Republicans, Drake University Democrats, and Drake Political Review. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. in room 106 of Cartwright Hall.
No RSVP required.
The fall issue of Drake Blue magazine explores Drake’s unique role in the Iowa political process, how fine arts alumni are finding success in their fields, and the benefits of non-conventional pairings of majors at Drake. Look for updates from Drake’s colleges and schools, check out upcoming events in the alumni calendar, and catch up with news from alumni of all years. You can see the whole issue—plus online exclusives—at www.drake.edu/magazine
—Submitted by Beth Wilson, Editorial Director
Drake students will now have access to a new state-of-the-art collaborative learning space with industry-standard business tools, thanks to a generous $1.5 million gift from American Equity founder and Drake University supporter David J. Noble.
On Nov. 10, Drake will host NPR Presents: Michel Martin, live in Sussman Theater at 7 p.m. This unique live event blends interviews with a panel discussion between some of Des Moines’ most dynamic young activists, storytelling, and live music.
And finally, the Drake University community met its new live bulldog mascot on Thursday. Griff, a retired show dog, is ready for the limelight as the University’s furry ambassador for athletics events, student celebrations, and community festivities.
Drake University is proud to present the second performance of the Jordan Concert Series featuring internationally acclaimed tenor James Valenti. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, in Sheslow Auditorium and is free and open to the public. Valenti will be accompanied by pianist, Danielle Orlando.
Valenti has a voice of Italianate lustre and is part of the long-standing tradition of great Italian tenors. The sought after 6’5″ tenor has built a global reputation for his elegant musicianship, commanding stage presence, and ardent vocal style. Valenti has received a number of accolades in his young career including the New York City Opera’s Outstanding Debut Artist Award in 2008, the Maria Callas Debut Artist Award in 2009 and the Richard Tucker Award in 2010. Learn more about Valenti and the Jordan Concert Series here.
