University of Alabama biologist to study oil spill effects on tiny Gulf creatures
Birmingham News – Aug. 28
…The National Science Foundation awarded Matthew Jenny, an assistant professor of biological sciences at UA, a research grant for the project focusing on sea anemones, small animals related to the corals that build ocean reefs, the university announced…Results from this project, in combination with various other research efforts, are expected to assist scientists in predicting the long-term impact of the oil spill, and future disasters, on organisms and their environments, according to the University of Alabama…The UA project seeks to measure the extent of impact of the combined stressors of oil exposure and low oxygen levels in the gulf.
University of Alabama astronomer helps tell online story about cloud of space gas, teacher
Birmingham News – Aug. 30
…The story is true, and now it’s really a comic book, too, thanks in part to University of Alabama astronomy professor William Keel. He’s part of a team that received a government grant to produce an online comic book about Hanny van Arkel, the Dutch teacher who spotted a mysterious cloud of gas as she looked at telegraphic images of the universe. “Hanny and the Mystery of the Voorwerp,” which will be unveiled Friday at the DragonCon convention in Atlanta, tells the story of van Arkel’s 2007 discovery, now called Hanny’s Voorwerp, Dutch for “object.”…When Keel got back his approved application for time on the Hubble, it came with a note attached. “It said the human interest story of the discovery was so great that we shouldn’t pass up the outreach opportunity,” said Keel…To remain true to the spirit of that project, the book was written collaboratively, with suggestions from scientists and science fiction writers at comic book conventions. Keel and Gay hired two professional artists to illustrate the story…
Katrina’s effect on economy hard to determine
Montgomery Advertiser – Aug. 29
…While the hurricane affected the tri-county housing market, Deravi and Ahmad Ijaz, an economist at the University of Alabama, said the refugees from the storm had no measurable impact on the state’s unemployment rate. Most of them didn’t seek work while in the state, and very few of them were eligible for unemployment benefits during their stay, the economists said.”… While at least some of the refugees likely remained in the state, there is no reason to think they moved the unemployment rate one direction or another, he said. Ijaz largely agreed. “We did not see that impact,” he said. “You have to remember, the unemployment rate was still very low at that time.”…
Few home sales show economy’s struggles
Montgomery Advertiser – Aug. 29
…Realtors in the Montgomery market went to just 250 closings. That is the lowest total on record for July at the Alabama Center for Real Estate, a branch of the University of Alabama that follows real estate trends…
Foreign service officer speaks about time at UA
Crimson White – Aug. 30
U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officer John Natter will be visiting the University Tuesday to speak to interested students about a career in the State Department and the foreign service at 1 p.m. in Room 300 of the Ferguson Student Center. Natter is a UA graduate of and of the International Honors Program. He has most recently served at the U.S. embassy in Venezuela. Natter will also address students in the International Honors Program about the impact of overseas study on one’s life and career. This is part of the IHP’s Annual Meeting, to be held from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Ferguson Theater…
Back to School Bash to be held
Crimson White – Aug. 30
Students are invited to attend the first annual Back to School Bash, hosted by the Sales and Marketing Association, the MBA School and Career Center, Monday, Aug. 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will take place at the Ferguson Plaza. While listening to a DJ’s tunes, students will take part in the event’s goal, which is to make students of all majors more aware of career opportunities in the marketing and sales fields. Admission is a ream of copy paper that will be donated to Holt Elementary School…
People on the Move: Aug. 30
Birmingham Business Journal – Aug. 30
Karen Sparks, University of Alabama professor and founder of Urban Business Incubator, met with teens from the Birmingham area recently and encouraged them to graduate from high school and get their diploma in a motivational speech at the Taco “Graduate to Go” Business Camp at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel…