In Today’s Issue

• Better Protein Creation May Be Rodent’s Longevity Secret
• Warner Doctoral Student Is State’s Teacher of the Year
• Applications for Technology Development Fund Due Today
• Meliora Weekend Registration Extended to Oct. 7
• Nominations Sought for Presidential Diversity Award
• Events Celebrate Lung Research at the University
• Deadline Is Friday for Susan B. Anthony Awards
• Financial Health Bites: First-time Home Buying
• Food Drive to Benefit 19th Ward Neighborhood
• Breast Cancer Awareness Ride

News and Announcements

Better Protein Creation May Be Rodent’s Longevity Secret
Biologists at the University have new insights into the naked mole rat’s longevity—better-constructed proteins. Read more...

Warner Doctoral Student Is State’s Teacher of the Year
Ashli Skura Dreher, a graduate student working toward her doctorate in teaching and curriculum at the Warner School, has been named the 2014 New York State Teacher of the Year. Dreher is a Niagara County special education teacher. Read more...

Applications for Technology Development Fund Due Today
The deadline for submitting preproposal applications for consideration for funding from the Technology Development Fund is 5 p.m. today. The fund supports University researchers who wish to further the process of translating their scientific and engineering research into commercial opportunities. Awards can range from $40,000 to $100,000 to support projects of approximately one year in duration. Faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and employees of the University who have submitted (or who intend to submit) an invention disclosure to the Office of Technology Transfer are encouraged to apply. Click here for more information or contact Karen Grabowski.

Meliora Weekend Registration Extended to Oct. 7
Online registration for Meliora Weekend has been extended and will close at noon Monday, Oct. 7. Visit www.rochester.edu/melioraweekend to see the full offering of events and to register. Highlights include a keynote address by former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, a combined Presidential Symposium and Miller's Court featuring former Congressman Barney Frank and Arthur Miller ’56, ’08 (honorary), and the premiere of MEL Talks, an event at which Rochester alumni, faculty, and students will share breakthroughs in research and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Attend one or both sessions to watch a variety of live speakers, video presentation, and performances.

Nominations Sought for Presidential Diversity Award
Nominations are being accepted for this year’s Presidential Diversity Awards. The awards recognize faculty, staff, students, alumni, units, departments, or teams who have demonstrated leadership in recruitment and retention efforts, teaching, research, multicultural programming, cultural competency, community outreach activities, or other initiatives that promote diversity or inclusion. Nomination materials are available online. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15.

Events Celebrate Lung Research at the University
The Lung Biology and Disease Program, the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and the Division of Neonatology are hosting the fifth annual Lung Research and Trainee Day today at the Medical Center. The program begins with a poster session from 10 a.m. to noon in the Flaum Atrium followed by a noon lecture by Timothy Blackwell, chief of allergy, and pulmonary and critical care at Vanderbilt University, entitled “Mechanisms of Pulmonary Fibrosis: Lessons from Familial Interstitial Pneumonia” in the Class of ’62 Auditorium (box lunch provided). Best poster awards will be presented at 1 p.m. The final event is a career development roundtable from 2 to 3:30 p.m in the Young Conference Room (3-3235). The University community is invited to attend. For further information, contact Laurie Furibondo or Caitlin Baldwin.

Deadline Is Friday for Susan B. Anthony Awards
Nominations are being accepted for the 2014 Susan B. Anthony Women’s Leadership Awards until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4. Six awards are presented annually to women from the University community who have distinguished themselves through their achievements, service, and contributions to the common good. To nominate a student or for more information, click here. 

Financial Health Bites: First-time Home Buying
Learn more about buying your first home at the Financial Health Bites session on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Conducted by a representative from Canandaigua National Bank and Trust, the session will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the Northeastern Conference Room (1-9525) in the Medical Center. Lunches are welcome. Registration is required.

Food Drive to Benefit 19th Ward Neighborhood
Students for Interfaith Cooperation is partnering with Southwest Ecumenical Ministries for a food drive. From now until Oct. 14, the University community is asked to bring non-perishable food items to collection boxes that will be available throughout the River Campus—in dorms, the library, Wilson Commons, and the Interfaith Chapel. Cash donations can also be made at the chapel. The drive is cosponsored by Hillel, Protestant Chapel Community, Catholic Newman Community, UR Christian Fellowship, Cru, Chabad, the Muslim Students’ Association, and the Panhellenic Council.

Breast Cancer Awareness Ride
Well-U invites you to join the “Meliora Riders” for the Breast Cancer Awareness Ride on Sunday, Oct. 13. The event features a 5K run and 10-, 25-, and 50-mile bike rides hosted by Towpath Bike to raise funds for breast cancer research. Family and friends are welcome to join the team. To sign up, create a free Active.com account and select the “Meliora Riders.” Questions? Contact team captain Sarah Guilbert or Well-U for more information.