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 GAINESVILLE,
Fla. »(Above) UF Physical Plant employees Willie Hill, left, of Brooker and Emerson Perry of Gainesville prepare to haul down the University of Florida seal on Feb. 25 from the front of Tigert Hall, the university's administration building, for cleaning and restoration. The seal, made of copper, stainless steel, bronze and chrome bore 53 years worth of weathering, corrosion and fading. (Right) The seal as it appears now. Physical Plant workers were able to match the original teal color after finding a section that had not been exposed to the elements. (UF photo by Joe Richard) |
UF Researchers Develop Feline AIDS Vaccine
GAINESVILLE, Fla. » In a major scientific breakthrough, the federal government has approved for commercial use a vaccine to prevent AIDS in cats based on a patented technology developed by a University of Florida researcher. The U.S. Department of Agriculture granted a license late last week that will enable Kansas-based Fort Dodge Animal Health to market the vaccine patented by Janet Yamamoto, a professor at UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine who co-discovered the feline immunodeficiency virus. The FIV vaccine is expected to be available to cat owners – through their veterinarians – as early as this summer. See full story at http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2002news/cataids.htm .
Harn Museum Director Named
GAINESVILLE, Fla. » Rebecca Martin Nagy, curator of African Art and Associate Director of Education, North Carolina Museum of Art, has been named director of the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida. Nagy will begin her duties at the Harn on July 1.
"I believe the Harn is very fortunate to hire Dr. Nagy whose academic credentials, leadership ability, and experience offers the University and the Harn great promise for the future,” said UF Provost David Colburn. See full story at http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2002news/harndirector.htm .
Adult Stem Cell Research Promising But No Panacea
GAINESVILLE, Fla. » Adult stem cell research holds great promise for treating some neurological disorders, but much work remains before laboratory efforts can be translated into safe treatments, two University of Florida researchers write in a position paper in Saturday’s issue of The Lancet. The capability and flexibility of stem cells derived from adults have been questioned when compared to their younger embryonic counterparts, but scientists are discovering that older cells have potential if treated the right way. The use of adult stem cells also offers an avenue to bypass the controversy linked to embryonic stem cells derived from aborted fetuses or embryos created for fertility treatments. See full story at http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2002news/adultstemcells.htm .
Bytes Replace Push Pins In UF Pedestrian Safety Project
GAINESVILLE, Fla. » Crossing the street may soon be safer, thanks to a computer program developed at the University of Florida that tells where and how cars and pedestrians cross paths the wrong way. Using a UF-designed custom add-on in conjunction with existing Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, counties are able to visually assess automobile, bicycle and pedestrian accidents in a region. While computerized crash mapping is used in other parts of the nation, this is the first time a state has undertaken it on such a widespread basis, said Ruth Steiner, a UF urban and regional planning professor and principal investigator for the project. See full story at http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2002news/crashmapping.htm .
At a Glance
University of Florida student Michael Gale has been awarded a national scholarship from the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. The foundation provides scholarships and recognition to college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in public service.
UFactoid
Did you know that....
...UF ranks 2nd among public universities and 4th among all universities in the number of National Achievement Scholars in the 2001 freshman class? (Source: UF Office of Institutional Research)
“The National Achievement Scholarship Program is a privately financed
academic competition established in 1964 to provide recognition for outstanding
Black American students. Black students may enter both the Achievement
Program and the Merit Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT™
and meeting other published requirements
for participation. Black American students can qualify for recognition
and be honored as Scholars in the Merit Program and the Achievement Program,
but can receive only one monetary award from NMSC.” (Source: http://www.nationalmerit.org/achieve.htm)