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MONDAY, FEB. 25 – SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2013

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SQUEEZING TRANSPORTATION MILES FROM ALGAE — Something was killing the algae. And this wasn’t just any ol’ ordinary pond scum. This pond scum was being grown by a San Diego company, Sapphire Energy, that’s seeking the development of a new energy solution by turning oils produced by algae into various fuel products. Two UA scientists are part of a team of researchers who recently published a scientific paper which identifies and provides a better understanding of one of the most difficult to manage algae parasites. The research could assist companies in efforts to improve commercial scale, algae biofuel production, a renewable alternative to traditional transportation fuels. For more information, contact Chris Bryant in media relations, 205/348-8323, cbryant@ur.ua.edu. To contact UA’s lead author on the paper, send an e-mail to Dr. Peter Letcher, research scientist, at letch006@bama.ua.edu or phone 205/348-8208.

UA NURSING STUDENTS SHARE CULTURE WITH JAPANESE SCHOLARS – A small group of young Japanese scholars will soon experience life as University of Alabama nursing students. In its 15^th year, the Transcultural Nursing Program, which runs from Feb. 25 through March 7, provides an opportunity for nursing students and instructors from Chiba University in Chiba, Japan, to visit the Capstone College of Nursing, participate in a classroom setting and get a feel for UA’s nursing program. A Media Availability Day will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon March 6 in the Capstone College of Nursing’s building, located on University Boulevard across from DCH Regional Medical Center. Video and photograph opportunities including students working on life-like computer-controlled simulators, and there will be interview opportunities with students and faculty from both schools. Contact: Kim Eaton at 205-348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu in advance if you plan to attend. Broadcast media should contact Shane Dorrill at 205-348-8319 or sdorrill@ur.ua.edu or Bill McDaniel at 205-348-8327 or bmcdaniel@ur.ua.edu.  

CURRENT COMMENT

POPE BENEDICT XVI RESIGNS – Dr. Theodore Trost, chair of UA’s religious studies department, is available to answer media questions arising from the Feb. 11 announcement of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation and the search for a new pope. Media may contact Trost at 205/348-7534 or ttrost@as.ua.edu.

“THE SHOOTER” AND THE BIGGER PICTURE OF VETERANS’ SUPPORT – Dr. Jo Pryce, assistant professor of social work at UA and co-author of The Costs of Courage: Combat Stress, Warriors, and Family Survival, believes stories like that of the Osama bin Laden “shooter” – profiled in Esquire about his lack of health benefits when he left the military – could become more common as more troops return to the United States. Pryce says our medical and mental health networks could become strained, and our current economy could suffer with the country’s plans to downsize the number of active duty service men and women. Contact: David Miller, UA media relations, 205/348-0825, dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

EVENTS PLANNED THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY – UA’s  Crossroads Community Center invites the campus and community to participate in events throughout February during African-American History Month. Students will have the opportunity to travel to two historic Alabama sites at no cost. On Sunday, March 3, students can travel to Selma to learn about the historic events at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Contact: Richard LeComte, media relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782

EVENTS

UA COLLEGES OFFER COMMUNITY SCREENING OF HEALTH CARE FILM — A free community screening of the film, “Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare,” will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Bama Theatre in downtown Tuscaloosa. The event is sponsored by The University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences, Capstone College of Nursing, School of Social Work, Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration and Office of Health Promotion and Wellness. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion to focus on health care issues and concerns, and possible ways to improve the health care system. Panelists include Bryan Kindred, CEO, DCH Regional Health System; Charles Morgan Sr., executive vice president and general counsel of Phifer Inc. in Tuscaloosa and a member of the company’s Health Committee; Linda House Moncrief, benefits and wellness director for the city of Tuscaloosa; Deborah Tucker, CEO of Whatley Health Services, a nonprofit community health center based in Tuscaloosa that provides primary health care services to medically underserved citizens in seven West Alabama counties); and Allen Perkins, MD, professor and chair of Family Medicine at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine Contact: Kim Eaton, UA media relations, 205/348-8325, kkeaton@ur.ua.edu, or Leslie Zganjar, UA College of Community Health Sciences director of communication, 205/348-3079, lzganjar@cchs.ua.edu

OBJECT X – Creative Campus presents Object X, a discussion series in which speakers from different disciplines analyze a single object. The discussion will take place on at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, in Smith Hall, room 205. The first Object X is a clock. The discussion will feature UA professors and students, including Dr. H. Scott Hestevold, professor and chair of philosophy; Pete Schulte, professor of art; Dr. Patrick LeClair, associate professor of physics and astronomy; Dr. Matt Payne, assistant professor of telecommunication and film; and Dr. James McNaughton, assistant professor of English. Object X was supported in part by a UA  SOURCE Collaborative Grant and funding from the Student Government Association’s Financial Affairs Committee. Object X is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.creativecampus.ua.edu, email objectxua@gmail.com, or call 205/348-7884.

FRATERNITY MARKS FOUNDERS DAY – The Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity will hold a Founders’ Day event on Thursday, Feb. 28. Fraternity brothers will offer a day of games for children in the RISE program at the Gene Stallings Center on campus. The UA chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma was founded last semester. Contact: Alex Robinson, 949/633-4889 or aerobinson2@crimson.ua.edu.

RUN FOR THE ROSES – The sixth annual Run for Roses 5k walk-run will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2, with registration at 1 p.m. Registration and the race start will take place at the Alpha Omega Pi sorority house. The event will feature a live band, refreshments, food, and T-shirts. Proceeds will benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Contact: Richard LeComte, media relations, 205/348-3782, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu.

LOOKING AHEAD

SHORTHAND – Dr. Michael Mendle, professor of history at UA, will present a lecture titled “Absolutely the Most Important Thing You Know Nothing About: Shorthand and Civilization in 17th Century England.” The lecture will take place at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, in 205 Gorgas Library. The lecture is free; refreshments will be served. Contact: Dr. Michael Mendle, UA department of history, 205/348-1875, mmendle@bama.ua.edu

MUSICAL CATS – “Hermitage Cats Save the Day,” a musical rendering of the book “Anna and the Hermitage Cats,” will premiere at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, in the concert hall of The University of Alabama’s Moody Music Building. The music is by Chris Brubeck, and the book and lyrics are by Mary Ann Allin, who co-wrote the original children’s book. Admission for the 6 p.m. performance is $10 for adults, $5 for children younger than 12 and $3 for UA students.  Tickets are on sale at the Moody Concert Hall box office. Tickets can also be purchased online at uamusic.tix.com.  The production is open to the entire community from elementary school-age children to senior citizens. Contact: Richard LeComte, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782.

ANCIENT INDIAN TECHNIQUE SHOWCASED AT MOUNDVILLE PARK — Learn from some of the country’s finest stone craftsmen how to make arrowheads, spear points and hundreds of other stone tools as they meet to demonstrate and teach their skill and sell their wares at the Moundville Knap-In from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 8 and 9 at The University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park. Other outdoor demonstrations and displays at the Knap-In include ancient hunting and fishing equipment, while Choctaw crafts, such as basket making and beadwork, will also be demonstrated. In addition there will be a children’s area running throughout the event where kids can get their faces painted, grind corn, make crafts and play Native American games. A raffle will be held on Saturday. Knap-in admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors 55 years and older and $6 for students. Children 5 years and younger are free. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA media relations, 205/348-8325, kkeaton@ur.ua.edu, or Catherine Cooper, Educational Program Assistant, 205/371-8732, crcooper@ua.edu