Recent awards and honors

The following members of the University community are being recognized for contributions to their respective fields:

• Ryan Algier ’21 has been named a Division III First Team Academic All-American for men’s basketball by the College Sports Information Directors of America. He was also named Second Team All-American, Player of the Year for the East/Northeast Regions, and First Team All-Region by D3hoops.com.
• Gretchen Birbeck, the Edward A. and Alma Vollertsen Rykenboer Professorship in Neurology, has received a National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Research Program Award to continue her research in sub-Saharan Africa on the neurological problems that arise in people recovering from malaria, HIV, and other infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
• Karen DeAngelis, an associate professor in educational leadership at the Warner School of Education, has been selected as a 2021 Distinguished Research and Practice Fellow by the National Education Finance Academy.
• Jennifer Muniak, an assistant professor of medicine, has been awarded an Age-Friendly Health Systems Scholarship for the American Hospital Association’s Next Generation Leaders Fellowship.
• Petros Tzeferacos, an associate professor of physics and astronomy and a senior scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, has received an award through the  U.S. Department of Energy’s Early Career Research Program. Tzeferacos will study and conduct simulations and experiments in high-energy density physics, specifically related to magnetized plasma turbulence.

• Dr. Chat Bot: Non–Medical Center faculty, staff, and all students | Medical Center employees
• What to do if you or your close contacts have symptoms or have been exposed
• University’s COVID-19 Resource Center
• Medical Center’s COVID-19 update page
• COVID-19 Concern Report

Workshop series on supporting student mental health

It’s been over a year since the COVID-19 pandemic came to the United States, and since then, Rochester faculty and staff have adapted to online pedagogies and have been key supports for University students as they navigate not only their academics but also their mental health. In response to the stressors that students have faced in the past year, the Mindful University Project is hosting a “Supporting the Mental Health of Students during the 2021–22 Academic Year” workshop series to provide faculty and staff the opportunity to engage in a productive dialogue on topics related to mental health. Participants will leave with practical strategies they can add to their toolbox to meet students where they are at, support students’ mental health, and navigate any challenges that may arise in the upcoming semester. The series begins Wednesday, June 9, at noon EDT. This series is open to all University faculty and staff. Registration is required.

'Lunch and Listen' program for Medical Center staff and clinical workers features sound meditation

The next “Lunch and Listen” concert from Eastman Performing Arts Medicine and the Office of Patient Experience takes place today, Tuesday, June 1, from noon to 1 p.m. EDT. Medical Center staff and clinical workers can join via Zoom and call in to make requests. This week’s concert features multi-instrumentalist Adrian DiMatteo ’12E ’13 (T5) who will lead a sound meditation.

Expert nutrition advice

Is your approach to healthy eating working for you? Guidance from your own dietitian with Well-U’s Nutrition and You program can straighten the path to success whether your goal is to feel good, drop pounds, or manage a health condition. Enroll now for convenient virtual sessions.

Participate in the Simon Executive Experience

The Simon Executive Experience provides the opportunity to virtually attend class and participate in a roundtable discussion with current students. The session will begin with a presentation that gives an in-depth look at the executive MBA program. Register to attend on Friday, June 4, from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. EDT.

Annual sexual health conference: 'Pandemics and Epidemics—Clinical Practice Updates in Sexual Health'

The Clinical Education Initiative with the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute is hosting its 7th Annual Sexual Health Conference, taking place June 7–10. Daily virtual events will run from noon to 1:30 p.m. EDT. Several experts from the University are scheduled to present at the conference. Health care providers and public health professionals working in New York are strongly encouraged to attend. Learn more about the conference and register here.