University of Arizona in the News

University of Arizona researcher Jekan Thanga's ambitious, Noah's Ark-inspired project aims to preserve humankind – and animal-kind, plant-kind and fungi-kind – in the event of a global crisis.

Sana Khan, a doctoral student at the University of Arizona's Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and a vaccination site volunteer, is interviewed about what things look like on the ground at the university's high-capacity state vaccination site and what the one-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic means to her.

The Apophis asteroid whizzed safely past Earth on March 6. The fly-by gave scientists a chance to test the worldwide planetary defense system, in which astronomers quickly assess the chances of an asteroid hitting Earth as they follow its path across the night sky. "It's a fire drill with a real asteroid," said Vishnu Reddy, a planetary scientist at the University of Arizona who coordinated the observing campaign.

University of Arizona researcher Jekan Thanga's ambitious, Noah's Ark-inspired project aims to preserve humankind – and animal-kind, plant-kind and fungi-kind – in the event of a global crisis.

Experts say a changing climate is raising concerns about how the saguaro will survive the 21st century in an environment that is getting hotter and drier. "If we're going to find any communities or ecosystems well suited to these climate stressors, the desert is going to be a pretty good one," said Benjamin T. Wilder, director of the University of Arizona's Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill, where botanists began studying the saguaro 118 years ago. "I wouldn't bet against a desert species." Michael A.

Adhara Perez, 8, has shown exceptional talents in the field of astrophysics. Those dreams could take her from Mexico City to the U.S. to study at the University of Arizona, her dream school.

University of Arizona Distinguished Professor and 17th U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona is interviewed about new health guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for those who are fully vaccinated. Carmona urges everyone to continue to err on the side of caution, especially since those who are vaccinated may still be able to transmit the virus.

Many university law programs offer Native American applicants dedicated resources, scholarships and mentorship opportunities. "Every Native American law professor is involved in recruitment," said Robert A. Williams, Jr., faculty co-chair of the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. "We are happy to have applicants to reach out. Native American law professors want students for our courses and programs."

The ongoing pandemic has given rise to a significant and alarming trend of increased alcohol use and abuse – especially among younger adults, males and those who have lost their jobs – according to a new study by University of Arizona Health Sciences researchers.

Underneath the stands of Arizona Stadium, a spinning furnace has fired up to cast the sixth mirror for the Giant Magellan Telescope. Once it becomes fully operational, the telescope's viewing power will be 10 times greater than the Hubble Space Telescope.