UA Preview

MONDAY, FEB. 9 – SUNDAY, FEB. 15, 2015

BEST BETS

UA RESEARCHERS LEAD GULF COAST OIL SPILL STUDY – Two UA biologists are leading a new, three-year, $1.5 million study of the 2010 oil spill’s impact on the northern Gulf of Mexico in an effort to improve responses to future spills. Dr. Behzad Mortazavi, UA associate professor of biological sciences, and Dr. Patricia Sobecky, associate provost for academic affairs and professor of biological sciences, are part of a multidisciplinary team of scientists conducting the research.The study focuses on the role biodiversity – the measurement of the variety of organisms in an environment – played in the northern Gulf of Mexico’s ecological recovery. For more information, contact Chris Bryant, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8323 or cbryant@ur.ua.edu or contact the researchers directly: Dr. Behzad Mortazavi, 251/861-2141 ext. 2189, bmortazavi@ua.edu; Dr. Patricia Sobecky, 205/348-8314, psobecky@ua.edu

AIME TO EXPAND ENTREPRENEURSHIP MENTORING VIA NSF I-CORPS – UA’s ability to foster entrepreneurship and, ultimately, create jobs is strengthened through its recent selection by the National Science Foundation as an Innovation Corps site. With its selection, UA’s  Alabama Innovation and Mentoring of Entrepreneurs Center becomes the only NSF I-Corps site in the state and is one of only three in the Southeast. The selection, which includes $300,000 in grant funding over three-years, will accelerate the commercialization of marketable ideas by UA, enabling scientific discoveries that can benefit society to reach the marketplace more quickly. For more details, contact Chris Bryant, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8323 or cbryant@ur.ua.edu. Contact Dr. Dan Daly, director of AIME, directly at 205/348-3502 or dandaly@ua.edu

CURRENT COMMENT

ROY MOORE PANDERS TO CONSERVATIVE BASE AS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN ALABAMA LOOMS – Alabama’s Chief Justice, Roy Moore, has likely overstepped his boundaries by issuing a ruling to the state’s probate judges forbidding same-sex marriage licenses, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s just grandstanding, says Dr. Joseph Smith, UA assistant professor of political science. “I don’t think Judge Moore is completely grandstanding. I would guess he honestly believes that the U.S. Constitution allows states to refuse marriage licenses to same-sex couples. However, his idea that states don’t have to comply with federal court rulings on this subject is way out of line with accepted constitutional law. On the political or electoral front, I would guess Judge Moore is aware that most Alabama Republicans oppose gay marriage, and so he knows that he is playing to their preferences by fighting on this issue. I am not sure how much effect Judge Moore’s order will have. On the legal side it is unusual for a single judge on a collegial court, acting alone, to insert himself into a controversy that is not properly before his or her court.  On the political side, this will provide political cover for probate judges who don’t want to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.  So I suspect that more probate judges will refuse to issue such licenses than would have if Judge Moore had not issued this order.” Contact: Bobby Mathews, UA Media Relations, 205/348-4956 or bwmathews1@ur.ua.edu

LAW ENFORCEMENT NEEDS ADDED DIMENSION TO MAKE MORE OF AN IMPACT IN COMBATTING DEEP WEB – The conviction of Silk Road founder and developer Ross Ulbricht last week was a symbolic triumph for federal authorities, but it’s unlikely to deter people from selling and buying illegal and bootleg goods on “The Dark Web,” said Dr. Diana Dolliver, UA assistant professor of criminal justice. Dolliver said law enforcement agencies are using reactive measures, picking off site by site, mostly at the retail level. “They need to switch into a more proactive role (for instance, creating criminal profiles, looking at macro-level trends and being more strategic about it),” Dolliver said. “The prevention point is more for consumers related to stolen data – with the Anthem hack, that stolen data is already being requested by Evolution users and sold online to the highest bidders. My point being that law enforcement will never be able to seize enough sites to stop these kinds of illegal activities, so as much as we can prevent the credit card/ID theft on our end, the more that will be able to make an impact.” For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu. Dolliver can also be reached directly at 205/348-2062 or dldolliver@ua.edu.

UA EXPERT TIPS

UA MATTERS: DO ADULTS NEED BOOSTER SHOTS? — When we think of vaccinations, the image of children getting their shots at a health clinic comes to mind, but there are many reasons adults need to think about vaccinations, as well. UA’s Angela Hammond, a nurse practitioner, reminds us that it is as important for adults to be up-to-date on vaccinations as it is for children in this week’s UA Matters. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 808/640-5912 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu

UA MATTERS: HAPPY (ATYPICAL) VALENTINE’S DAY – More so than other holidays, Valentine’s Day can be an opportunity to show a special person how interesting and thoughtful you are, but it also puts a fair amount of pressure on us to rise to an occasion if we’re coupled or feel a sense of absence if we’re not. UA’s Dr. Christopher Lynn, an assistant professor of anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences, points out that Valentine’s Day can be viewed another way in this week’s UA Matters. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 808/640-5912 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu

EVENTS

UA STUDENTS TO HOST BLACK HISTORY NIGHT AT UNIVERSITY PLACE – Pre-Service social studies teachers in the College of Education at The University of Alabama will host “Black History Month, a Family Night Celebration” at University Place Elementary School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Feb. 10. Ahmad Ward, education director of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will serve as guest speaker. The University of Alabama Jazz Combo will perform. UA’s pre-service teachers have created interactive learning centers on Black History for pre-K through 5th grade students. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.

LULLABY CONCERT BRINGS FAMILIES TOGETHER – The University of Alabama’s Child Development Resources hosts Lullaby Concert from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. The free community event is designed for parents and children, birth to 5, to enjoy music and reading together. Entertainment will include the Stillman Choir, a musical petting zoo, planetarium, clarinet trio, violinist, guitarist and special guest readers. Families will also receive a free children’s book. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 808/640-5912 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu; Kristy Brown, CDR training coordinator, 205-348-4280 or kbrown@ches.ua.edu.

UA STUDENTS LEARNING TO TAKE LEADERSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL – A handful of exceptional University of Alabama students with a thirst for knowledge have an opportunity to put their skills to the test during the annual Crenshaw Leadership Academy. Prior to the Feb. 13 event, students are provided a topic to research; this year’s topic is sustainability. Each group must find a research angle that fits their department/major and put together a project that will be presented at the retreat workshop. The student groups are currently working on their projects and are available for interviews. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 808/640-5912 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu