E-Nouncements - November 2024

Goran Shikak Master's Thesis Defense

Dr. Paula Cushing's Lab | Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Date: November 22
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location: Denver Campus – North Classroom, Room 1604

An Investigation of Rehydration Techniques to Restore Dehydrated Museum Specimens and an Integrative Taxonomic Revision of The Great Plains and Chihuahuan Eremobates Palpisetulosus Species Group, Muma 1951 (Solifugae: Eremobatidae)

My thesis research focuses on the importance of leveraging natural history collections in assessing techniques used to restore preserved materials and using museum specimens in taxonomic revisions of understudied arachnids like solifuges. Ethanol curation is vital for preserving natural history museum specimens, especially soft-bodied arthropods. Dehydration due to suboptimal storage conditions necessitates effective rehydration methods. In our first study, we compared two approaches—gradual ethanol rehydration ("Step-Up") and Heat Rehydration—on dehydrated spiders. The Step-Up method proved more consistent in rehydrating tissues and reducing morphological damage. However, DNA yield from all treatments was low and degraded. We recommend collections managers consider the fragility of dehydrated specimens when choosing rehydration techniques and prioritize DNA extraction from alternative materials. Our second study utilized natural history collections to resolve the taxonomy of understudied arachnids called solifuges. This work focuses on the Eremobates palpisetulosus species group from the Chihuahuan and Great Plains. Recent molecular analyses challenge the group's monophyly, recovering two monophyletic clades. By leveraging molecular data with morphological data, we provide a robust taxonomic revision to resolve the relationships and taxonomy of the palpisetulosus species group. We provide new morphological synapomorphies traits for elevating two new genera, Eremobtusus and Eremodromus and resolve the species level taxonomy within each genera.

Click the link above to review several events celebrating Native American Heritage Month! The next event will be Rezilience Week, which is aimed at celebrating and honoring Native and Indigenous cultures. We encourage students to participate by dressing in accordance to the theme of each day.

Monday: Veterans Day. - Wear red.
Tuesday: Indigenous Scholar Day - Wear ribbon skirt or shirt.
Wednesday: Bougie Bling Day - Wear native jewelry.
Thursday: Braids on Blast - Wear your braids.
Friday: Roc your Mocs - Wear your moccasins.

November 1-18: Registration begins for Spring Semester via UCDAccess! Check UCDAccess for your specific registration date and time assignment. For best course selection, register as soon as possible after your registration time assignment. Open enrollment begins November 19th.

Have questions about undergraduate research and creative activities at CU Denver?

Virtual: Hop on a Zoom call to chat with an URCA advisor every Friday from 1:00-3:00! 

In-Person: Come by LynxConnect to chat with an URCA advisor in-person every Wednesday from 11-1! No reservation needed.

Email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-400 with questions.

These hours don’t work for you? Book an individual advising appointment through Handshake or by calling 303-315-400.

The URCA Office is in LynxConnect within the Tivoli Annex (above the Comcast Media and Technology Center). The easiest way to reach us is through the courtyard outside of iPie, which is accessible from Walnut Street (across from the Tivoli Garage). View a map and video to find us here. 

Dr. Ragland has co-authored a new article, Variability in spruce beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) adult diapause and evidence for oocyte development prior to winter in a Colorado population, which has been published in the Oxford Academic Journal, Environmental Entomology.

Each month, hundreds of CU Denver students facing food insecurity rely on the free food and hygiene items provided by Milo’s Market food pantry. To keep those shelves stocked, we’ve kicked off the first-ever Food Fight with UCCS on November 1 in support of the CU Denver Food Pantry. CU Denver is going head-to-head with UCCS in a friendly competition to see which campus can raise the most funding for its food pantry. 

The winner will be announced on December 6, so get ready to rally for your fellow Lynx! Together, we can unite to fight hunger on campus and ensure every student gets the nourishment they need to succeed. 

From now until December 3, follow along on our crowdfunding site and social media (find #CUFoodFight on Facebook, X and Instagram) for competition updates, challenges and more information about Milo’s Market food pantry. Thank you for joining us in the fight against food insecurity! 

Date: Friday, November 8

Time: 10:00 - 11:30am

Location: 1250 14th St, Denver, CO 80202 (CU Denver Building) Room 3301 or Zoom (Register for link)

Join us for a professional development workshop for faculty and staff to support first-generation students at CU Denver through storytelling. This engaging workshop focuses on empowering first-generation students using our narratives as faculty and staff and harnessing students' stories. Share your story, hear others' stories, and learn campus resources.

Facilitators: 

Jennifer Camacho Taylor, PhD

Marty Otañez, PhD

Geneva Sarcedo, PhD

Click Here to Register!

Friday, Nov 8th @ 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Location: St. Cajetan's (101 Lawrence Way, Denver CO 80203) 

Join us for a vibrant celebration of Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights! Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of India with a night full of authentic Indian cuisine, lively music, and captivating dance performances. Get hands-on with culturally inspired crafts that will bring the festive spirit to life. Whether you’re familiar with Diwali or experiencing it for the first time, this event is a beautiful way to honor and enjoy this joyous occasion. Come light up the night with us at CU Denver!

Nov. 11, 1:30pm to 2:45pm

Location: Tivoli Student Union, Room 329 (Senate Chambers)

Join us for a celebration of CU Denver undergraduate students and climate justice research. Learn about their experiences, including presenting at a major conference and lessons learned for interdisciplinary STEM initiatives for social and health equity.

Dr. Ivan J. Ramírez, CU Denver Department of Health & Behavioral Sciences , will moderate the discussion. The event is sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Council on Access and Community Engagement, CU Denver programs in Undergraduate Public Health  and Climate Change Studies  (new), Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (EURēCA! ), the TRIO McNair Scholars , and the Civic Engagement and Climate Justice (CECJ) ThinkLab .

Food and drinks will be served.

More information: https://clas.ucdenver.edu/hbsc/thinklab , or email, ivan.ramirez@ucdenver.edu

Monday, Nov 11th @ 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Lola and Rob Salazar Student Wellness Center Kitchen

Bring all your friends for a free evening of friendship bracelet-making, boba, and donuts!

Tuesday, Nov 12th @ 12:30pm - 1:45pm, FREE

Location: Plaza Building 116

Please join us for a panel discussion in our Languages & Linguistics Speaker Series

Explore Linguistic Diversity: Learn how languages around the world shape societies, cultures, and identities.

Research Journeys Unveiled: Discover what motivates linguists in their diverse fields of study.

Pathways to Linguistics: Hear the personal stories of how each speaker became a linguist and why their work matters today.

A Celebration of Languages: Delve into the complexities, beauty, and power of linguistic diversity.

Moderated by Dr. Mike Abeyta | For Questions or Zoom Link, Email: i-hao.woo@ucdenver.edu

The Speaker Lineup

• Dr. Gabriela De Robles | Heritage Languages, Bilingualism, Community-based Research
• Dr. Lizz Huntly | Second Language Acquisition, Teaching Arabic as a Second Language
• Dr. Alyssa Martoccio | Second Language Acquisition, Second Language Pedagogy
• Dr. I-hao Victor Woo | Syntax & Morphology, Teaching Chinese as a Second Language

Wednesday, Nov 13th @ 9 a.m.-10 a.m.

Location: Learning Commons 2230

Join FYE (First-Year Experience) staff and PALs (Peer Advocate Leaders) for a free breakfast item and some study time/question time! Hurry, breakfast items go fast!

Thursday, Nov 14th @ 2 p.m.-3 p.m.

Location: LynxConnect

Interested in a Summer 2025 internship or research position as a STEM student? Get a head-start learning about the available programs at CU Denver | Anschutz and beyond!

In this hybrid info session, staff from the Experiential Learning Center and the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities will present with the Department of Biology Faculty to cover the basic of finding and applying for summer opportunities. Join us in-person in LynxConnect or on Zoom to learn about the following:

• What it takes to find a position: Searching for opportunities and common deadlines
• What you need for applications: Preparing materials and requesting letters of recommendation

Register in Handshake for in-person details or Zoom link 

Thursday, Nov 14th @ 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Free

Location: Student Commons 1401

Transform Your Cultural Background into a Career Advantage!

Dive into this workshop to learn how your unique cultural background can enhance your personal brand. We’ll uncover strategies to align your core values with your career ambitions, navigate workplace obstacles, and communicate your achievements effectively. This session is designed to provide you with the tools and insights needed to leverage your cultural identity as a powerful asset in the competitive professional world.

Empower yourself by turning your cultural heritage into a standout feature of your professional persona. Join us to start forging a path where your culture and career goals meet!  Light dinner will be provided.

Facilitator: Erin Yoshimura, principal of Empowerful Changes, LLC. Erin has provided executive leadership coaching and cultural intelligence training and consulting for over 20 years.

This event is hybrid in SC 1401 and Zoom ID 976 7737 1215

Friday, Nov 15th @ 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Free

Location: Student Commons 2600 and Zoom: https://ucdenver.zoom.us/j/94816603661 

Our award-winning CLAS faculty members Soumia Bardhan, Cameron Blevins, Keith Guzick, Amy Hasinoff, and Marino Resendiz will explore the profound impacts of technology on society. Delve into the cultural, historical, scientific and ethical dimensions of technological change in this thought-provoking event.

Friday, Nov 15th @ 12 p.m.-2 p.m.

Location: Learning Commons, Room 3207, Rush Conference Room

Proposal Development 

This session provides participants with strategies to development competitive proposals for external funding opportunities A mix of small and large group discussion as well as experiential activities provides participants with a set of tools to start the writing process. A faculty panel will feature CU Denver research administrators and faculty discussing their own proposal development experience with an opportunity to ask questions and learn from each other.

To register for any workshops, click here . You will receive a calendar invitation with a Zoom link.

Monday, Nov 18th @ 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

Location: Zoom

Are you an undergraduate looking for an opportunity to conduct research at CU Anschutz over Summer 2025 and want more details before applying? Join this info session to meet programs before you apply in the spring! Learn the specifics about different programs available, upcoming deadlines, and tips for your applications. View Available Programs here. 

Register in Handshake for Zoom link 

Zoom-only event. Email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu  with questions.

Wednesday, Nov 20th @ 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.

Location: LynxConnect

Come chat over drinks and snacks with other undergraduate researchers to discuss how you narrow in on your own research topics, step into independent scholarship, and find resources to support your research! In-person only event. View Handshake for details and registration. 

Email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu with questions.

Hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities.

Thursday, Nov 21st @ 12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m.

Location: Student Commons 1401

Come learn about the complex and similar histories of the Sand Creek Massacre and Amache histories with Greg Spotted Bird, Cheyenne and Arapaho and Sand Creek Massacre descendent.