UW News
The latest news from the UW
July 19, 2016
UW professor is digitizing every fish species in the world
UW professor Adam Summers is scanning and digitizing all 25,000 species of fish that live on Earth. Each species soon will have a high-resolution, 3-D visual replica online, available to all and downloadable for free.
Tag(s): Adam Summers • College of the Environment • Friday Harbor Laboratories • School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences
UW oceanographers grow, sequence genome of ocean microbe important to climate change
A University of Washington team has shed new light on a common but poorly understood bacteria known to live in low-oxygen areas in the ocean. By culturing and sequencing the microbe’s entire genome, the oceanographers found that it significantly contributes to the removal of life-supporting nitrogen from the water in new and surprising ways.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • genomics • marine microbiology • microbes and viruses • Robert Morris • School of OceanographyJuly 18, 2016
University of Washington named ‘Great College to Work For’ third year in a row
The University of Washington has been recognized as a “Great College to Work For” by the Chronicle of Higher Education for the third consecutive year.
July 15, 2016
Joseph Wartman, David Montgomery honored for Oso landslide report
The Geological Society of America has honored two UW professors and other authors of a 186-page report on the causes and consequences of the deadly March 2014 landslide in Oso, Washington.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • College of the Environment • David Montgomery • Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • geology • Joseph WartmanJuly 14, 2016
Study: Perceived threats from police officers, black men predict support for policing reforms
At a time of intense national attention on law enforcement and race, a new University of Washington study suggests that racially based fear plays a role in public support for policing reforms. The research, conducted by UW postdoctoral researcher Allison Skinner and published online July 12 in the open-access journal Frontiers in Psychology, used a…
Tag(s): Allison Skinner • I-LABS
Cougars could save lives by lowering vehicle collisions with deer
A research team including University of Washington’s Laura Prugh has found that within 30 years of cougars recolonizing the Eastern U.S., large cats could thin deer populations and reduce vehicle collisions by 22 percent — each year preventing five human fatalities, 680 injuries and avoiding costs of $50 million.
July 13, 2016
New UW program aims to foster better education for Native learners
At meetings with Native American community leaders, educators in the University of Washington’s College of Education repeatedly heard the same question — what can be done to improve educational outcomes among Native learners? Those discussions led to the creation of the UW’s new two-year Native Education Certificate program, which launches in August. The 10-unit curriculum…
Tag(s): College of Education
Opinion: Closing parts of the ocean to fishing not enough to protect marine ecosystems
In a three-page commentary in the journal Nature, fisheries professor Ray Hilborn argues that establishing marine protected areas is not as effective at protecting marine biodiversity as properly managing recreational and commercial fisheries.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Ray Hilborn • School of Aquatic and Fishery SciencesJuly 12, 2016
UW historian selects 1971 prison death for Time’s ’25 Moments That Changed America’
When editors at Time magazine compiled a list of expert picks for “25 Moments that Changed America,” UW Bothell’s Dan Berger was among the historians they reached out to for a contribution. An assistant professor in Bothell’s School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Berger was asked to choose a “moment” — trends and social movements…
Tag(s): Dan Berger • UW BothellJuly 11, 2016
UW researchers improve microscopy method to ‘swell’ cellular structures, bringing fine details into view
Scientists from the University of Washington recently reported a relatively simple method swell the tiny, complex structures within cells, bringing them within range of a common microscope’s resolving range.
Tag(s): cell biology • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Chemistry • Department of Neurobiology & Biophysics • Joshua Vaughan • Rachel Wong • School of MedicineJuly 8, 2016
Researchers show phone calls can forecast dengue fever outbreaks
A UW computer science and engineering doctoral student has helped develop a system that can forecast the outbreak of dengue fever by simply analyzing the calling behavior of citizens to a public-health hotline.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
‘Excitations’: Summer Institute in the Arts to explore energy
“Excitation” is not just a scientific term or perfect Beach Boys lyric, it’s also the topic of this year’s cross-disciplinary Summer Institute in the Arts and Humanities, an intensive summer research program for undergraduate students.
Tag(s): Jacob Lawrence Gallery • Joel Ong • Office of Research • Phillip Thurtle • Rebecca Cummins • Simpson Center for the Humanities • Summer Institute in the Arts and Humanities • Tyler Fox • Undergraduate Research ProgramJuly 7, 2016
Arctic sea ice volume, now tracking record low, stars in data visualization
With Arctic sea ice roughly tied with previous record-low years, a University of Washington tool that tallies the total volume of ice in the Arctic Ocean is attracting attention.
Tag(s): Applied Physics Laboratory • Axel Schweiger • polar science • sea ice
UW, Microsoft researchers break record for DNA data storage
University of Washington and Microsoft researchers have broken what they believe is the world record for the amount of digital data successfully stored — and retrieved — in DNA molecules by encoding, among other things, an OK Go video.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering • Luis Ceze • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & EngineeringJuly 6, 2016
Acid attack — can mussels hang on for much longer?
Scientists from the University of Washington have found evidence that ocean acidification caused by carbon emissions can prevent mussels attaching themselves to rocks and other substrates, making them easy targets for predators and threatening the mussel farming industry.
Tag(s): Carolyn Friedman • climate change • College of Arts & Sciences • College of the Environment • Department of Biology • Emily Carrington • Friday Harbor Laboratories • ocean acidification • School of Aquatic and Fishery SciencesJuly 5, 2016
Long-term Pacific climate cycle linked to expansion of Antarctic sea ice
A long-term Pacific climate cycle may be driving the expansion of Antarctic winter sea ice since 2000, but a new study finds that the trend may soon reverse.
Tag(s): Cecilia Bitz • climate change • College of the Environment • Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science • polar scienceJune 29, 2016
UW project highlights liability of internet ‘intermediaries’ in developing countries
How much liability do website owners and other online service providers have for content posted by other people? If someone posts content on your website that is defamatory, constitutes hate speech, disseminates child pornography or invades someone’s privacy, are you liable? The answers to such questions can be murky in developing countries. And as internet…
Tag(s): Anna Bakhmetyeva • Center for Advanced Study and Research on Innovation Policy • Ryan Calo • Sean O'Connor
UW statement on investigation into the conduct of professor Michael Katze
“When the sexual harassment complaints were made, Dr. Katze was removed from his lab and put on home assignment. A thorough investigation was commenced through UCIRO, the University’s complaint, investigation and resolution office. The investigation found that Dr. Katze had violated University sexual harassment policies. “His conduct was inappropriate and not in any way reflective…
June 28, 2016
UW geologist wins early career award from American Geophysical Union
Alison Duvall, a UW assistant professor of Earth and space sciences, was selected for the Luna B. Leopold Award for early-career scientists.
Tag(s): Alison Duvall • College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences
Statements from UW and KUOW leadership on the sale of KPLU to Friends of 88.5
UW President Ana Mari Cauce: “Congratulations to the Friends of 88.5 on their agreement with Pacific Lutheran University to purchase KPLU, and on the unprecedented fundraising effort that made it possible. We are delighted they were able to make it happen.” KUOW General Manager Caryn Mathes: “The generosity of KPLU’s listeners is a testament both…
June 24, 2016
UW’s Clean Energy Institute to participate in national smart manufacturing initiative
The University of Washington’s Clean Energy Institute will partner with regional industry and academic institutions as part of the new Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute, according to an announcement June 20 by the White House.
Tag(s): Clean Energy Institute • clean or renewable energy • College of Engineering • Daniel Schwartz • Department of Chemical EngineeringJune 23, 2016
UW is top producer of earth and environment research
The University of Washington published the most earth and environmental science research last year, outpacing all other universities worldwide, according to a new report from Nature Index.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Lisa Graumlich
Law student David Camps thought to be first Cuban resident to attend UW in half a century
In the fall of 2014, Cuban tour guide David Camps led a group from the University of Washington on a serendipitous bus tour around his native country. The group seemed to ask a lot of questions, but Camps — a former attorney and top diplomat turned tour guide — thought little of it; clients were often curious about…
Tag(s): Anita Ramasastry • Barer Institute for Law and Global Human Services • School of Law
How well do facial recognition algorithms cope with a million strangers?
University of Washington computer scientists have launched the “MegaFace Challenge,” the world’s first competition aimed at evaluating and improving the performance of face recognition algorithms at the million person scale.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Ira Kemelmacher-Shlizerman • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & EngineeringJune 22, 2016
Ocean forecast offers seasonal outlook for Pacific Northwest waters
A new study evaluates the performance of a seasonal forecast, developed by researchers at the UW and NOAA, that predicts conditions over the coming months in the Pacific Northwest marine environment.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean and Ecosystem Studies • fisheries biology • ocean acidification • oceanography • Samantha Siedlecki
Harry Bridges Labor Center report explores effects of job outsourcing at Portland International Airport
The outsourcing of workers at Portland International Airport has increased in recent years while those workers serve ever-more passengers and their wages remain low, according to a recent report from the UW’s Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies.
Tag(s): Garrett Strain • Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies • Michael McCannJune 21, 2016
UW-led team awarded $1M bioelectronics innovation prize
An international team led by researchers at the Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering (CSNE) based at the University of Washington is one of three finalists in a race to produce an implantable wireless device that can assess, stimulate and block the activity of nerves that control organs.
Tag(s): Center for Neurotechnology • Chet Moritz • College of Engineering • Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering • Joshua Smith • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Q&A: Essayist Elissa Washuta on being the Fremont Bridge’s first writer-in-residence, another recent award and her upcoming book
The year’s not quite yet half over, but it’s already been an auspicious one for Elissa Washuta. The University of Washington graduate and author of two books, “Starvation Mode” and “My Body is a Book of Rules,” is one of two recipients of the Artist Trust 2016 Arts Innovator Awards, which come with $25,000 in…
Tag(s): books • Department of American Indian Studies • Elissa Washuta • Q&AJune 16, 2016
Former UW administrator Jack Keating dies
John P. (Jack) Keating, former University of Washington psychology professor, dean of the UW branch campuses and vice provost at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, died May 10 in Palm Springs, California. He is being remembered by colleagues as a dedicated and engaging teacher, strong researcher and inspired administrator. A San Francisco native and former…
UW’s large research vessel, R/V Thomas G. Thompson, gets a midlife overhaul
The R/V Thomas G. Thompson, the 274-foot-long research vessel operated by the University of Washington, has spent 25 years carrying researchers, students and teachers out to sea. The ship has collected material from the bottom of the deepest ocean trenches and braved storms near Antarctica. This week, the ship will begin a yearlong stay in…
Tag(s): College of the Environment • oceanography • RV Thomas G. Thompson • School of Oceanography • Thomas Thompson • UW alumniJune 15, 2016
Evans School’s Justin Marlowe addresses public-private partnerships in third financial guide
Public-private partnerships can be important financing tools, but public officials overseeing them must understand the risks well, says the Evans School’s Justin Marlowe, author of a multivolume Guide to Financial Literacy.
Tag(s): books • Evans School of Public Policy & Governance • Justin Marlowe
Adam Summers advises Pixar on fish movements in new ‘Finding Dory’ film
University of Washington fish biomechanist Adam Summers advised Pixar on animal movement for the animation company’s second movie about life under the sea.
Tag(s): Adam Summers • Friday Harbor Laboratories
Falling fish catches could mean malnutrition in the developing world
The world won’t be able to fish its way to feeding 10 billion people by midcentury, but a shift in management practices could save hundreds of millions of fish-dependent poor from malnutrition, according to a new analysis by researchers at Harvard, the University of Washington and other universities.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Edward Allison • School of Marine and Environmental Affairs
‘Bright spots’ shine light on the future of coral reefs
Researchers have discovered a handful of “bright spots” among the world’s embattled coral reefs, offering the promise of a radical new approach to conservation.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Edward Allison • School of Marine and Environmental AffairsJune 13, 2016
Arc volcano releases mix of material from Earth’s mantle and crust
Rock from a common type of volcano shows surprising evidence of the descending tectonic plate. Analyses show that magnesium atoms are somehow drawn out of the crust, deep below the surface.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • Fang-Zhen Teng • volcanoes
Eastern U.S. needs ‘connectivity’ to help species escape climate change
A new study has found that only 2 percent of the eastern U.S. provides the kind of climate connectivity required by species that will likely need to migrate, compared to 51 percent of the western U.S.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Joshua Lawler • School of Environmental and Forest Sciences
Success in second language learning linked to genetic and brain measures
A new study by researchers at the University of Washington shows that the final grades that college students received in a second-language class were predicted by a combination of genetic and brain factors.
Tag(s): I-LABS • Patricia KuhlJune 10, 2016
Jackson School Space Security Initiative capstone event gathers students, area stakeholders
What are the policies of global rising powers regarding the use of orbital and outer space, and what are the implications of those policies for international cooperation? A capstone event for junior fellows of the Jackson School’s Space Security Initiative explored such questions in a recently with space industry, media and government representatives also on hand.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Erika Harnett • International Policy Institute • Jackson School of International Studies • Kristi Morgansen • Kristian Ulrichsen • Saadia PekkanenJune 9, 2016
2016 Awards of Excellence recognize campus, community contributions
The University of Washington recognized and honored faculty, staff, students and alumni for their passion and dedication to the UW, the local community, the state and the world. The 46th-annual Awards of Excellence ceremony took place at Meany Hall on Thursday, June 9, 2016.
Tag(s): Ana Mari Cauce • awards • Sally Jewell
Jerry Franklin named 2016’s ‘Eminent Ecologist’ by leading ecological group
The Ecological Society of America has named University of Washington professor Jerry Franklin its “Eminent Ecologist” of 2016. The award, considered the organization’s most prestigious accolade, honors a senior ecologist who has made significant, long-standing contributions to the field of ecology.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Jerry Franklin • School of Environmental and Forest Sciences« Previous Page Next Page »
