News for Employees

The MMT Observatory – formerly known as the Multiple Mirror Telescope – was the only one of its kind when it was built in the late 1970s. "Many thought the design was way too novel and it would never work," says UA astronomer Don McCarthy. But it did work. And in the 40 years it has been scanning the sky, the MMT has aided astronomers in some of the most important discoveries about the cosmos.

Ten faculty and staff members will serve as the second cohort of HSI fellows, a program that aims to further the University's efforts as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. "The thing that I'm really excited about with the HSI Fellows Program is getting to have dedicated time that's not just included in my service, but that's dedicated work time with a group of colleagues that have similar interests and passions," said Ashlee Linares-Gaffer, an assistant professor of practice in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and one of the incoming fellows.

Congratulations to these recent honorees: Dr. Monica Kraft, College of Medicine – Tucson; Maria Mata, Department of Educational Policy Studies and Practice, and the Immigrant Student Resource Center; Arizona Public Media; Tucson Village Farm; the University of Arizona; and Bruce Walsh, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

Professor Emeritus George W. Ridge Jr., a two-time director of the School of Journalism who helped establish many of its cornerstone programs, died April 24 at the age of 86. "George had a deep understanding of the role of the press from his work as a journalist and an attorney, and focused on ensuring the school's curriculum reflected the challenges and opportunities that students would encounter in the real world," recalls Jacqueline Sharkey, school director from 2000 to 2011.

Banner – University Medical Center Tucson's new patient tower features 228 private rooms, 20 operating rooms, diagnostic imaging and cardiac catheterization labs, a new cafeteria and clear views of Tucson and the Santa Catalina Mountains. "Banner has built the Tucson community and the University of Arizona a beautiful new hospital that will be a state-of-the-art learning ground for future generations of UA physicians, nurses and scientists," said UA President Robert C. Robbins. "It's a realization of the promise and potential we envisioned four years ago in our academic affiliation with Banner Health."

Even though the spring semester is coming to an end, you won't have to go to a galaxy far, far away to find something to do. The month of May offers plenty of events to keep members of the UA community engaged despite the absence of students. They include a day dedicated to exploring the science behind "Star Wars," live music and interactive games, a research bazaar, a professional development conference, and cooking classes.

Artworks portraying the wishes and life goals of 29 artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities are being exhibited through an outreach program at the Department of Family and Community Medicine. The exhibit, titled "Dreams," is on display through July 26.

Desert Metal Craft, a new blacksmithing school started by two College of Engineering employees, invites everyone to explore the ancient art. The company was started by Pete Brown, director of communications in the college, and Liz Cameron, a senior research specialist, with local blacksmith Rich Greenwood. "We're trying to kind of get out the vibe that everyone's really welcome here," Cameron says. "You don't have to be a big guy with a bushy beard to do well here."

Douglas G. Stuart, a founding faculty member of the UA College of Medicine and Regents' Professor Emeritus of Physiology, died April 6 at the age of 87. Raphael Gruener, a professor emeritus in the Department of Physiology and another founding College of Medicine faculty member, says Stuart was among the early shapers of the UA's interdisciplinary and collaborative research culture. "Doug's fruitful career at the UA was punctuated by numerous actions which shaped the University's research, teaching, and administration for decades," Gruener recalls.

Thanks in large part to UA assistant professor Michael Johnson, hundreds of Tucson high school students will learn about the importance of genetics research during three days of outreach events. Under Johnson's guidance, students and postdoctoral scholars in the Department of Immunobiology are bringing the first local observance of National DNA Day to Tucson this week. "I've always felt that outreach is important, and today I believe it is more important than ever," Johnson says. "Those of us who do research are the exact experts needed to combat rampant scientific misinformation."