BEST BETS
UA HOSTS NWBA WOMEN’S WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS — The University of Alabama will host the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Women’s Wheelchair Basketball National Championships March 10-11 at Stran-Hardin Arena on the UA campus. The tournament will include the host Crimson Tide, the University of Texas at Arlington, University of Illinois, University of Arizona and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Tickets are $10 for a weekend pass to all games. UA students, faculty and staff, and children under 12 are free. For more information, contact Kellcie Temple, UA Adapted Athletics, at kellcie.temple@ua.edu.
ALABAMA WRITERS HALL OF FAME TO INDUCT EIGHT MARCH 10 — Eight distinguished authors will be inducted into the 2023 Alabama Writers Hall of Fame at The University of Alabama’s Bryant Conference Center March 10. Members of the 2023 class include: Tom Franklin, Trudier Harris, Angela Johnson, Howell Raines, Michelle Richmond and Daniel Wallace. Authors Eugene Walter and Kathryn Tucker Windham will be inducted posthumously. Carolyn Haines, a 2020 inductee, is slated to serve as master of ceremonies. A reception will be held in the authors’ honor at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The induction ceremony will immediately follow dinner. For more information, contact Jennifer Brady, UA Strategic Communications, at jennifer.brady@ua.edu.
DIAL FOR TUNING DOPAMINE, ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNALS FOUND IN PARKINSON’S — Researchers at The University of Alabama identified a critical mechanism for how signals from the environment are integrated with genetic information to influence the health and survival of brain cells, providing a key insight into the development of Parkinson’s disease. In findings outlined in a paper recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers open unexplored treatment avenues that could emphasize how regulation of forces outside the body contribute to the protection of brain cells, or neurons. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
PAPER MAPS STILL POPULAR IN DIGITAL AGE — “Even as digital tools become central to our daily lives, there will always be a place for their physical counterparts,” said Eric Courchesne, geospatial services manager with the geography department. “Like the smell of a good paperback, or the feeling of holding a music record and placing the needle into the groove, there is a tangible connection to printed maps that is unique and satisfying. It’s not surprising that physical maps have gained in popularity over the past few years; during the pandemic, more Americans spent time rediscovering the romance of the road trip. While navigation apps are amazing tools to get you from point A to point B, a good, reliable physical map can do more to help you explore a new place and discover what makes it special, particularly those treasures that can only be found off the beaten path.” To schedule an interview, contact Courchesne at ercourchesne@ua.edu.
CRISIS, LOSS AND RESILIENCE IN UKRAINIAN ENTREPRENEURS — UA’s Dr. Peter Harms, along with colleague Nataliia Yakushko, are working on a project to understand how small business owners and entrepreneurs react to disasters and how they adapt to ongoing crises over time through the war in Ukraine. “The war in Ukraine represents a special circumstance for the study of entrepreneurs in crisis situations not only because of the scale of the unfolding humanitarian crisis, but also because this disaster is both man-made and is ongoing with no end in sight,” said Harms. “What we have discovered in our ongoing data collection at this point is that both psychological and social factors seem critical in terms of coping with the war and the destruction that it has brought. We have observed how Ukrainians have used humor, often dark humor, as a coping mechanism and how business owners have switched from competitive orientations to cooperative/collectivistic orientations, similar to the U.S. after 9/11. Likewise, many business owners report that they see it as important to try to keep their businesses open and functioning both to serve the nation, but also to take care of their workers.” To schedule an interview, contact Harms at pdharms@cba.ua.edu.
EVENTS
SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA TO BE MEASURED FOR STATE RECORD — A Southern magnolia tree located behind Bryant-Jordan Hall on Bryce Preserve will be measured to see if it’s the largest in the state by the Alabama Forestry Commission March 9 at 1 p.m. The Alabama Forestry Commission will measure the tree as part of Alabama’s Champion Tree Program. The event will also recognize UA as a “Tree Campus USA” for the eighth consecutive year. The designation, given by the Arbor Day Foundation, recognizes colleges and universities that promote healthy trees and conservation efforts. For more information, email Bonner Lee with University Lands at jblee2@ua.edu, or Paul Wuebold, senior executive director of UA Facilities and Grounds, at pdwuebold@ua.edu.
GROWING UP WILD: GROW AS WE GO (LIFE CYCLES) — The Alabama Museum of Natural History invites preschoolers and their caregivers to spend time together and explore the museum during Growing Up Wild Preschool Friday March 10 at 10 a.m. This month’s event is titled “Grow as We Go (Life Cycles).” During this interactive program, children will explore the life cycles of familiar wildlife through hands-on activities, games, music and art. The program costs $5 per child and includes up to two caregivers. Registration is required.
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The University of Alabama strives to remain neutral on public policy issues. Strategic Communications may facilitate interviews or share opinions expressed by faculty, staff, students, or other individuals regarding policy matters. However, those opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the University or its leadership, and do not constitute a statement on behalf of the University unless explicitly designated.