BEST BETS
MOUNDVILLE’S SATURDAY IN THE PARK RETURNS – UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park’s Saturday in the Park returns this summer to provide a series of demonstrations and presentations related to Native American culture, archaeology, natural history, sustainable gardening and more. The June 12 event will feature a gourd workshop with Betsy Irwin. The event costs $25 and registration is required. Saturday in the Park takes place each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit the Moundville Archaeological Park website.
UA RESEARCH TO ENHANCE FLOOD RESILIENCE OF COASTAL COMMUNITIES – Researchers at The University of Alabama are working to develop advanced computational earth science and coastal models that help coastal communities prepare for flooding from tropical storms and hurricanes. Funded by a $2.84 million grant from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Research and Development Center, the work by researchers in the UA Center for Complex Hydrosystems Research will identify flooding hotspots along the Southeastern U.S. coastline and provide a way for emergency responders and local decision-makers to better prepare for flooding from tropical cyclones. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA communications, adam.jones@ua.edu or 205-348-4328.
NIH GRANT SUPPORTS UA STUDY OF ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY TREATMENT – Researchers at The University of Alabama will study a novel nanomedicine treatment for acute kidney injury, a common disease with no federally-approved medication. The five-year, $1.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health is the fourth active top-tier NIH grant, formally called R01, for Dr. Ravi Kumar, professor in the College of Community Health Sciences with an adjunct appointment in the College of Engineering’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA communications, adam.jones@ua.edu or 205-348-4328.
UA SOPHOMORE COMBATS BULLYING WITH CHILDREN’S BOOK – University of Alabama sophomore Noelia Voigt wrote a children’s book to advocate for anti-bullying and helped create an anti-bullying app. Her book, “Maddie the Brave,” is written for elementary school-aged children and features a confident main character, Maddie, who shares her positive affirmations. The main character is based on Madison Whittsett, a 9-year-old girl from Birmingham who died by suicide in 2018 after being bullied. For more information, contact Jamon Smith, UA communications, jamon.smith@ua.edu or 205-348-4956.
PAUL W. BRYANT MUSEUM JOINS UA MUSEUMS – The Paul W. Bryant Museum recently became a member of UA Museums, joining a group of several institutions overseen by UA’s College of Arts and Sciences. “The administrative move of the Paul W. Bryant Museum to UA Museums makes so much sense,” said Dr. Bill Bomar, executive director of UA Museums. “Museums of all types play important roles in connecting people to the past through inspirational and engaging encounters with real objects and specimens. Whether the story being told is centered on ancient Native Americans, Alabama’s biodiversity or the rich history of athletics at The University of Alabama, the methods and principles behind the museum informal learning medium and the preservation and management of collections are the same.” For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
THIS SUMMER, ALABAMIANS CAN HELP SLOW THE SPREAD OF… INVASIVE MUSSELS – An invasive species of freshwater mussel has a beachhead in Alabama, according to a recent announcement by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District. The USACE advises that Zebra Mussels are established in Holt Lake near Tuscaloosa, imperiling Alabama’s freshwater resources. Boaters on all lakes can help slow the spread of this invasive species, said Dr. Jennifer Howeth, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at The University of Alabama who has studied this invasive species and worked with Texas and Florida to predict its spread and impacts. “If you’re interested in an abundance of freshwater fish like bream and bass, then you need to take steps to minimize the spread of Zebra Mussels,” Howeth said. “They can dramatically alter the food web, limiting resource availability for native species.” To schedule an interview, contact Adam Jones, UA communications, adam.jones@ua.edu or 205-348-4328.
NEED A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON TOPICS MAKING NEWS? – See our frequently updated experts directory here.
VISIT THE UA NEWS CENTER FOR STORY IDEAS.