The Synapse
Updates from the Sciences at Loyola University Maryland
February 2021 | Issue 29
The spring semester is in full swing and this issue includes upcoming virtual events, opportunities for both students and faculty, and once again links to important resources for teaching and learning this semester.
Share your news, photos, inspiring stories, and upcoming events for a future issue. Please send any feature suggestions to Jen Sullivan at jlsullivan4@loyola.edu.
HIGHLIGHTS & GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Biology student reflects on climate change
Read her full essay on the Art of STEM blog here >>>
Leader in Global Public Health Research to speak during Bunting Peace and Justice Speaker Series
Celebration of Science events coming in March
Loyola Sciences in the news
- How new COVID-19 strains affect new infections featuring Chris Thompson, Ph.D., associate professor of biology (Fox45) Also featured on WJZ and News Break
- Avoid pain relievers and alcohol before, after COVID jab featuring Chris Thompson, Ph.D., associate professor of biology (Optometry Times)
Diane Geppi-Aikens Field transformed for spring semester, photo by Jack Cannon, '21
Spring Semester Resources
Coronavirus Resources
- Loyola Coronavirus Updates - General university information for all students, faculty, staff including reopening plans, COVID-19 dashboard, FAQs, policies, and resources.
- Faculty COVID FAQ - Information regarding spring teaching compiled by the Academic Continuity Working Group and updated as needed.
Resources for Spring Teaching
- Technology Services knowledge base - Resource for classroom technology training and information. The technology services training calendar can be found here.
- Resources and links for faculty development
- High Impact Teaching series - recording available of Dec. 1 event, Preparing for Spring Hybrid Teaching: Lessons Learned from Fall
Student Support Resources
Employee Support Resources
STUDENT & FACULTY OPPORTUNITIES
Spring Pop-Up Classes
So many pop-up classes to choose from in the coming weeks! Register in advance to participate. Spring semester pop-up classes will be held in a virtual format and are open to all members of the Loyola community. Visit www.loyola.edu/pop-up for a complete schedule, updated as more classes are confirmed.
ArcGIS StoryMaps
Monday, February 15, 12-1 pm
Instructor: Clara Love
Learn how to create multimedia scrolling narratives in ArcGIS StoryMaps. You’ll learn how to create a StoryMap, what kinds of media you can include, and what kinds of projects are well-suited to StoryMaps. StoryMaps is a branch of the ArcGIS digital mapping software, which is available for free with additional licensing available through the Library.
The Creative Cloud
Thursday evenings, second in series February 18, 6:30-7:15 pm
Instructor: H. Jay Dunmore
Register for The Creative Cloud
In this series, you will learn how to utilize your computer and mobile media devices to produce digital content for a variety of outputs, including social media and more. These live sessions share some of the thinking behind the software and strategy for implementing in your projects and productions. This multipart web series is hosted by Prof. Jay Dunmore, Adobe Education Leader and Director of Greycomm Studios.
Copyright for Creators: Music and Sampling
Wednesday, February 17, 4-5 pm
Register for Copyright for Creators: Music and Sampling
Do you create music or use existing music in your audio or visual projects? Then this workshop is for you! Learn about how to protect your own musical creations with copyright and how you can incorporate samples and other music into your works.
Laser Engraving a Photo
Monday, March 1, 12-1 pm
Instructor: Youlanda Halterman
In this workshop we will walk through the steps to prep a photograph for laser engraving and create a custom project just in time for Mother’s Day.
Copyright for Creators: Graphic Arts and Design
Thursday, March 11, 4-5 pm
Register for Copyright for Creators: Graphic Arts and Design
Are you an artist, photographer, or graphic designer with questions about copyright? This workshop is for you! You'll learn about how to protect the work you're creating with copyright as well as when it's okay to incorporate other people's works into your designs.
Nominate a Colleague for 2021 Faculty Excellence Awards
Please consider nominating your faculty colleagues. Most nominations are due February 24. Awards will be presented this Spring.
2021 Capital PKAL Regional Network Spring Conference
Event Registration - Deadline: March 12, 2021
The 2021 Capital PKAL Regional Network Spring Conference is generously sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in support of STEM faculty. Total registration is limited to 140 participants. To register, click HERE.
Non-tenure track and adjunct faculty in STEM are encouraged to register and attend a special session offered during the lunch hour. This listening session will serve to inform the future ways in which PKAL can ensure that the professional development needs of our non-tenure track colleagues are met. The session is limited to 26 non-tenure track/adjunct faculty. First come, first serve. To register as an Adjunct, click HERE.
NIST SI Happy Hours (Fridays from 4-5 pm)
The National Institute of Scientific Teaching hosts Zoom happy hours each Friday from 4-5 pm. Share challenges and successes with colleagues around the rapid transition to remote teaching and learning. Registration invitations are sent via the NIST monthly newsletter. To sign up click here.
Feb 19: Beth Beason "Transforming a Research Project into a Research"
Feb 26: Christine Andrews "Increasing a Sense of Belonging and Science Literacy Through CUREs"
Mar 5: Joshua Caulkins "Metacognition & Self-regulated Learning" *
Mar 12: Erin Vasudevan, Peter Gergen & Bill Collins "The Pen is Mightier: Writing-to-Learn in Large-enrollment Classes"
*Links coming soon. Subscribe to NIST monthly newsletter for updates.
Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Upcoming Events
Looking ahead...
National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) | April 12 - 14, 2021
NCUR is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity in all fields of study by sponsoring an annual conference for students. Unlike meetings of academic professional organizations, this gathering of student scholars welcomes presenters from all institutions of higher learning and from all disciplines.
We are excited to share that biology major and forensic science minor Anthony Taylor, '21, has been accepted to present at this year's NCUR! Anthony was a 2020 Hauber fellow. Learn more about his project: Detecting Clandestine Graves Using White Dutch Clover; Plant Growth & Germination in Response to High Cadaverine Levels