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Community

Karriem Watson appointed executive director at UI Health Mile Square

The UI Health Mile Square Health Center has announced the appointment of Karriem Watson, DHSc, MS, MPH, as its new executive director. His tenure is set to begin on December 1, 2024, pending approval from the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Watson was chosen after a comprehensive national search that considered many qualified candidates for this leadership role.


Community

Taylor Street roadwork begins soon; expect traffic impacts until December

The Chicago Department of Transportation is set to commence roadwork on Taylor Street, spanning from Western to Racine avenues. The project, which may start in the coming days, will involve street and bike lane resurfacing and restriping, as well as curb and gutter replacements and ADA sidewalk repairs. These activities are anticipated to impact vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic.


Community

UIC announces fall commencement dates and welcomes Class of 1974 graduates

This December, the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) will hold its annual fall commencement ceremonies. Scheduled for December 13 and 14, the events will take place at the Credit Union 1 Arena. The university will also welcome back Golden Graduates from the Class of 1974.


Community

Chicago hosts seventh annual summit on advancements in quantum technology

Experts in quantum science and technology will convene in Chicago from October 21-22 for the seventh annual Chicago Quantum Summit. The event gathers leaders from government, industry, and academia to discuss recent developments and future directions in quantum science. David Awschalom, a key figure at the University of Chicago and director of Q-NEXT, highlighted the significance of this year’s advances in research and commercial endeavors.


Community

Northwestern launches partnership to improve access to speech-language services

Northwestern University has initiated a community-based partnership aimed at improving access to speech and language services for preschool-aged children. The project, led by Marisha Speights from the Northwestern School of Communication, seeks to address racial inequities in current testing methods.


Community

Northwestern launches partnership for improved access to speech-language services

Northwestern University has initiated a community-based partnership aimed at addressing systemic barriers to speech and language services for preschool-aged children. This initiative, known as the Communication Justice Project, seeks to screen hundreds of children, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups in scientific research.


Community

UIC renews commitment to diversity and inclusion on campus

With the academic year in progress, UIC reaffirms its dedication to fostering a campus environment that respects and promotes tolerance, inclusion, and diversity. The university emphasizes its collective responsibility to embody values of inclusivity, dignity, and respect.


Community

Northwestern awards $133M in minority contracts for Ryan Field redevelopment

Northwestern University has announced that it has awarded $133 million in contracts to minority- and women-owned businesses as part of the Ryan Field redevelopment project. This was disclosed during a meeting with the Evanston M/W/D/EBE Development Committee, chaired by Alderman Bobby Burns.


Community

AI-based system forecasts terror threats; new reports released

Northwestern University is set to unveil new reports from the Northwestern Terror Early Warning System (NTEWS), a machine-learning platform designed to forecast potential terrorist activities. The release is scheduled for Thursday, October 17, at the Conference on AI & National Security in Evanston, Illinois.


Community

Campus buildings transition to winter heating mode next week

With the arrival of cooler temperatures, Utilities and Energy Services is set to begin transitioning campus buildings and plants into winter heating mode next week. This process will take several days to complete. If outdoor temperatures exceed 55 degrees after the transition, some buildings may experience discomfort.


Community

Discovery Partners Institute and Amazon partner to advance STEM education in Chicago Public Schools

Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) has partnered with Amazon at SIL4 in West Humboldt Park, Chicago, for an event aimed at advancing STEM education in the city’s public schools. The gathering welcomed over 50 Chicago Public Schools principals, administrators, and educators. DPI's representatives, affiliated with the Chicago STEM Ecosystem, spearheaded the initiative alongside Amazon.


Community

Mathematicians aim for sustainable solutions amid California's groundwater challenges

Severe drought and climate change have impacted groundwater aquifers worldwide. In response, an Illinois Institute of Technology researcher is collaborating to aid California's agriculture industry in redistributing this dwindling resource. Igor Cialenco, a professor of applied mathematics, has secured a National Science Foundation grant alongside Mike Ludkovski, a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Their goal is to create a mathematical solution for groundwater distribution.


Community

UChicago students engage in diverse global projects during summer break

As the academic year begins, members of the University of Chicago community return from a summer spent in diverse global locations. Their experiences ranged from scientific research to cultural immersion and professional development.


Community

Northwestern hosts panel on U.S. politics amid tumultuous election season

From the first presidential debate issues to the late entry of a major party candidate and the reality of political violence, the 2024 presidential election season has been significant. To explore these developments, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law is hosting its annual panel titled "The Knox Conversations: America, 2024, and a Political Reckoning?" on Thursday, Oct. 17 at Thorne Auditorium in Chicago.


Community

UChicago accelerator building makes way for new engineering innovation center

The University of Chicago's Accelerator Building, constructed in 1949, is set to be demolished in 2024. This facility was initially home to a particle accelerator requested by Enrico Fermi after his work on the Manhattan Project. It operated for ten years and contributed significantly to particle physics before being decommissioned.


Community

Illinois Tech launches $2M initiative for skills training in Bronzeville

Illinois Tech, located in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, is set to strengthen its ties with the community through a new initiative supported by a $2 million federal grant. The project, named the Bronzeville Opportunity Engine, aims to provide skills training for thousands of local residents.


Community

MobilePoser app offers real-time motion capture using mobile devices

Northwestern University engineers have introduced a new system for full-body motion capture that operates without the need for specialized rooms or expensive equipment. Named MobilePoser, this innovative technology utilizes sensors already present in consumer mobile devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds.


Community

Crime expert joins Chicago-Kent faculty after tenure at Kirkland & Ellis

Zach Sommers has joined Chicago-Kent College of Law as an assistant professor in fall 2024, fulfilling a long-held aspiration to work in academia. "It's not an exaggeration to say this is my dream job," he stated. His journey into academia comes after four years with the white-collar-crime group at Kirkland & Ellis, where he gained extensive experience conducting investigations and defending against them.


Community

University professor awarded Nobel Prize for economic research

Professor James A. Robinson from the University of Chicago has been awarded the 2024 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognized Robinson, who holds positions as the Reverend Dr. Richard L. Pearson Professor of Global Conflict Studies and University Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy and the Department of Political Science, for his research on "how institutions are formed and affect prosperity." He shares this year's prize with Professors Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson from MIT.


Community

Richard J. Daley College eligible for federal postsecondary success recognition program

Richard J. Daley College has been named among 200 colleges and universities eligible for the U.S. Department of Education's new Postsecondary Success Recognition Program. This initiative is part of the Biden administration’s “Raise the Bar” campaign, which aims to broaden the traditional view of higher education by focusing on equity, inclusion, and student success.