UA Preview — Aug. 19-25, 2024

📰 BEST BETS 

World-Class Hydrologic Facility 

The U.S. Geological Survey officially opened the USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility on The University of Alabama campus near the NOAA National Water Center on Aug. 14, providing a trifecta of opportunity for advancing water science and technology. 

Why This Matters: A team of about 50 USGS employees will work alongside University students and staff, strengthening existing partnerships and creating new ones as the HIF continues its tradition as the national hub for water monitoring technologies. 

Medicine Design Breakthroughs 

Dr. M.N.V. Ravi Kumar is a world-renowned voice in the field of translational science for medicine design. His groundbreaking drug delivery systems have been shown to make more efficacious pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. 

Why This Matters: The application of Kumar’s work to human health and diseases opens up a medicines toolbox to combat difficult-to-treat diseases such as lupus and intraocular inflammation.  

Monitoring Coastal Flooding  

UA graduate student Sadaf Mahmoudi, working under Dr. Hamed Moftakhari, trained machine learning algorithms to learn the underlying features contributing to sea level rise and high tide flooding. 

Why This Matters: The study produced spatially distributed information through an interactive map showing estimated local sea level rise rates and high tide flooding thresholds along the entire United States coastline. 

💬 CURRENT COMMENT 

Dr. Brett Bentley, associate professor of sports medicine, can discuss the importance of hydration in young athletes and signs of heat-related illness as school sports practices start in the summer heat.  

📅 EVENTS 

Entrepreneur Resource Groups Monthly Meeting 

Aug. 20; The EDGE 

Aug. 21 

VitAL Alabama Conference 

Aug. 26-27; Bryant Conference Center 

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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.