Deans Notes - November 11, 2021

Esteban Loetz has been a Professional Research Assistant (PRA) in the Psychology Department for the past seven years and has contributed to research advances in the three behavioral neuroscience labs.

Loetz says, “An amazing aspect about my current position is that I continually get to learn new laboratory techniques…I’m constantly being challenged.”

One of the accomplishments Esteban is most proud of was collaborating in the development of a chemogenetic experimental design that brought advanced neurobiology techniques to our campus.

Courtney Bouchet, a Graduate Student that worked with Esteban notes he “is the kind of person that everyone wants to work with… I have learned so much from Esteban, like lab and time management skills and various experimental techniques; but I think the most important thing I have learned from [him] is how to make a work environment fun and inviting.”

Benjamin Greenwood, Associate Professor of Psychology and one of Esteban’s...

Sarah B. Horton, Associate Professor of Anthropology, has been conducting interviews with undocumented Latinx workers in Colorado since the start of the pandemic. She constantly hears stories of unsafe conditions from vulnerable workers each week. "As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends booster shots for 'high-risk workers',” Horton says, "it should not forget the undocumented immigrant workers whose safety was ignored as they were forced to work through last spring’s quarantine.”

Horton was also selected as a finalist by the American Anthropological Association to participate in the "Write to Change the World" workshop of the OpEd Project, an organization whose mission is to increase the range of voices and the quality of ideas we hear in the world. Horton will be returning to the Op-Ed Project's "Write to Change the World" workshop to help facilitate as an "Alum Ambassador."

Undocumented Workers Need Booster Shots, Too
The...

Alexander Presciutti, PhD student in Clinical Health Psychology, said, “Although survival rates have improved, the physical, cognitive and psychological effects of surviving cardiac arrest may linger for years, signaling the need for both immediate and long-term care for survivors… We conducted this study to examine potential ways to prevent and treat psychological symptoms, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, among cardiac arrest survivors.”

Mindfulness linked to better psychological health a year or longer after cardiac arrest
American Heart Association Newsroom, Nov 8

Anthropology Professor Charles Musiba was a recent panelist at the US/ICOMOS 2021 Symposium. The U.S. National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (US/ICOMOS) promotes the conservation of world heritage and stronger connections to the global heritage community through advocacy, education, and the international exchange of people and ideas.

The International Studies program is proud to announce that Claire Ransom (BA '17) has published "Climate Change Can Shrink a Nation's GDP: Here's Why That Matters" as part of the World Economic Forum's COP26 climate change conference. Claire is now the Assistant Project Officer for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Claire's article notes that climate change is already being felt around the world. Climate indicators demonstrate the complexity of climate change, adding nuance to how and where it is happening, to shape a better understanding of impacts and write more effective policy. Progress for the climate is possible by better engagement with climate data, and cross-sectoral collaboration and multi-agency input, as well as digital tools such as ArcGIS StoryMaps, make climate information more relevant and accessible. In addition, the INTS program interviewed Claire in 2020 as part of its alumni interview series.

Do you know of outstanding CU Denver alumni who are giving back to our university community, living our values out in the world, achieving at the top of their field—or doing all of these things and more? Please share their stories with the Alumni Association. Learn more and submit a nomination through their website.

The Digital Strategy Task Force was charged in October 2021 with creating a vision for our campus-level digital strategy, maximizing CU Denver's deep and decades-long expertise in online learning and capitalizing on the 2030 strategic plan that positions us to be a university for life for learners of all backgrounds, careers, and ages. Chaired by Katie Linder, Associate Vice Chancellor for Digital Strategy and Learning, the task force will engage with the campus community, internal and external data sources, and relevant scholarly and market research to develop a set of recommendations for next steps that address areas of both opportunity and priority. The task force will deliver recommendations to Chancellor Marks and Provost Nakuma by March 31, 2022. 

To that end, The Task Force is seeking input from students, faculty, staff, and alumni through a series of input sessions. Each session will seek to address a particular set of...

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Open to All
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Content to Include Adult Language and Themes
Jake Jabs Event Center, Business School Building
RSVP and More Information Here
Masks Required

Katherine Pivoda was a cherished member of the English Department for many years, starting as a student (completing her master’s degree in 2015), and later as an English instructor. She spent two years in China teaching composition and literature as the Associate Program Chair for the English program at International College Beijing.
She was also a fourth-year PhD student in the School of Education & Human Development and nearing completion of her degree focusing on Administration and Leadership Studies. She was killed earlier this semester in an act of domestic violence. Her friends, family, and community are invited to this event to remember and celebrate Katy, her writings, and her legacy.

If...

From 10:00am – 1:00 pm
Student Commons Building Room 3018

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty, staff, and students are invited to get a FREE professional photo taken. These photos will have permissions cleared for all academic and personal use. No appointment necessary. For more information contact Tracy.Kohm@ucdenver.edu.