Latest News
UChicago accelerator building makes way for new engineering innovation center
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 15, 2024
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.
Illinois Tech launches $2M initiative for skills training in Bronzeville
By Southland Marquee | Oct 15, 2024
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.
MobilePoser app offers real-time motion capture using mobile devices
By A. D. Bamburg | Oct 15, 2024
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.
Crime expert joins Chicago-Kent faculty after tenure at Kirkland & Ellis
By Southland Marquee | Oct 14, 2024
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.
University professor awarded Nobel Prize for economic research
By A. D. Bamburg | Oct 14, 2024
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.
Richard J. Daley College eligible for federal postsecondary success recognition program
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 14, 2024
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.
Jamie Franklin named NCJI academic fellow
By Southland Marquee | Oct 14, 2024
Chicago-Kent College of Law has announced that Associate Clinical Professor Jamie Franklin has been appointed as an academic fellow of the National Civil Justice Institute. Franklin joined the faculty in August 2020 and serves as a supervising attorney for the C-K Law Group’s Civil Litigation Clinic. Her expertise spans employment discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour law, qui tam litigation, class actions, and other complex litigation for plaintiffs.
AI's impact on credit scores explored by racial justice writing competition winner
By Southland Marquee | Oct 14, 2024
Jay Esparza Castillo, a student at Chicago-Kent College of Law, has won the A Perfect Union Racial Justice writing competition with his paper titled "Fair Lending in the Age of AI: Regulations to Combat Discrimination in United States Credit Scoring Systems." In his work, Castillo explores how artificial intelligence could influence credit scoring systems and potentially lead to discriminatory lending practices.
Lewis College welcomes new faculty across humanities, psychology, physics
By Southland Marquee | Oct 14, 2024
Lewis College of Science and Letters has announced the addition of four new faculty members for the 2024-25 academic year. These educators are set to contribute significantly to their departments and areas of research.
Northwestern study finds demographic disparities in benefits of artificial intelligence
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 11, 2024
A recent study by Northwestern University has highlighted the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific research, revealing potential disparities among different demographic groups. The study, led by Dashun Wang and Jian Gao from the Kellogg School of Management, analyzed a vast dataset comprising 74.6 million publications, 7.1 million patents, and 4.2 million university course syllabi.
South Side Science Festival connects community with interactive science experiences
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 11, 2024
Melrinea Davis and her nine-year-old son, Misael, attended the University of Chicago's annual South Side Science Festival after learning about it from his school. Misael participated in activities such as practicing CPR to the rhythm of "Baby Shark," examining snails under a microscope, and observing a liquid nitrogen demonstration by Fermilab scientist "Mr. Freeze." Davis remarked on the importance of such events for providing hands-on science experiences that schools might not offer due to funding limitations.
Students explore Red Summer race riots through creative projects
By Southland Marquee | Oct 11, 2024
High school students gathered at the Illinois Institute of Technology in summer 2024 to participate in a program titled Healing 1919. The initiative aimed to explore the race riots of the "Red Summer" of 1919 and foster discussions on race relations. Students, known as justice ambassadors, were encouraged to create projects that promote civic action and racial healing.
Pearson Global Forum explores negotiation amid global tensions
By A. D. Bamburg | Oct 11, 2024
The Pearson Global Forum is set to take place on October 18, 2024, focusing on the theme "Negotiation and Agreement." The event will bring together a diverse group of participants, including academics, political leaders, policymakers, journalists, and members of the public. The discussions aim to address whether negotiation still holds relevance in today's divided world.
Illinois Tech welcomes six new faculty members to College of Computing
By Southland Marquee | Oct 11, 2024
Illinois Institute of Technology's College of Computing has introduced six new faculty members for the fall 2024 semester. This addition aims to cater to an increasing student population and promote innovation through research.
Northwestern launches center targeting toddler mental health with $11.7 million NIMH grant
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 10, 2024
Northwestern University has initiated a new Mental Health, Earlier Center at the Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci) with an $11.7 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). This center aims to tackle youth mental health issues by focusing on early signs of vulnerability in toddlers during routine pediatric care.
UChicago hosts event on climate policy; launches new institute
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 10, 2024
The University of Chicago is set to host an event on October 30, focusing on climate and energy policy. The gathering will feature scholars and leaders from various sectors and mark the launch of a new climate and energy institute at UChicago.
Jesse Jackson, Operation Push endorse Fioretti
By Southland Marquee | Oct 9, 2024
Rev. Jesse Jackson, founder of Operation Push organization in Chicago, has publicly endorsed Republican candidate Bob Fioretti for Cook County State's Attorney in the upcoming November election.
Victor Love launches Let's Go For A Ride podcast
By Southland Marquee | Oct 9, 2024
Victor Love, a Chicago businessman, has announced the launch of his new podcast, Let's Go For a Ride, to begin in the fall of 2024 with local figures.
Study reveals diverse virus populations on household items
By A. D. Bamburg | Oct 9, 2024
Researchers from Northwestern University have uncovered a surprising diversity of viruses residing in everyday bathroom items such as showerheads and toothbrushes. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiomes, revealed over 600 different viruses, most of which were previously unknown. These viruses are bacteriophages, or "phage," which infect bacteria but do not pose a threat to humans.
New soft material may revolutionize medical devices and wearable tech
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 9, 2024
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new soft, sustainable electroactive material with potential applications in medical devices, wearable technology, and human-computer interfaces. The study was published in the journal Nature on October 9.