USF Health dermatologist Philip Shenefelt, MD, diagnosed Diane Dike's rare blood disorder named Cryoglobulinemia. Discovery Health’s popular television show, "Mystery Diagnosis" crew conducted a comprehensive interview with Dr. Shenefelt at local television station WEDU. The show aired at 8 p.m., Monday, March 8, 2010.

The Research Administration Improvement Network, or TRAIN™, is sponsored by the Office of Research & Innovation and the Office of the Provost. The primary focus of TRAIN will be to build the research support infrastructure by enhancing the professional competencies of those who contribute to the research enterprise, implementing training and education, improving business processes and reporting, and enhancing communication within the research community.

USFSP received a Learn and Serve America grant of $395,000, one of only 36 grants awarded nationally to engage students in service-learning projects and promote community service while enhancing student academic and civic skills. Student Philanthropy Boards, the faculty-facilitated, student-led boards, is administering grants of up to $5,000 to area nonprofit organizations in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

USF College of Marine Science professor Joseph Torres is bound for Antarctica in his continuing quest to chart the effects of global warming on one of the coldest places on earth. He is leading a team of 10 from his college, and they will spend the next six weeks in the Antarctic in search of clues to what has caused a major food source for penguins, seals and other creatures to disappear.

In honor of Mote Marine Laboratory's 55th anniversary this year, the Florida House passed a resolution on Wednesday, March 10, recognizing the nonprofit organization as a "powerhouse of near-shore marine research" and commended its "tireless pursuit of answers to some of the ocean's most pressing questions" and its efforts to share "its knowledge with the world." The resolution also noted Mote's numerous academic affiliations with Florida universities, including its "landmark affiliation agreement with the University of South Florida that allows two of the state's leading research institutions to join forces in new science ventures, provide expanded learning programs, and create economic development opportunities for the region and state."

Research grantees should be aware of new project outcome reporting requirements and America COMPETES Act provisions in the National Science Foundation's Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide, which was revised in January.

NIH is seeking comments on its proposal to expand its definition of human embryonic stem cells to include those created before the blastocyst stage. NIH's July 2009 guidelines had stated the useable cells would be created from only the blastocyst stage, according to a notice in the Feb. 23 "Federal Register". Comments on the proposed change are due by March 25, 2010.

The research done by Christopher Anderson and Dr. Stephen Deban from USF Integrative Biology Department was recently published in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" (PNAS). Their research examines how temperature affects feeding performance in chameleons with some surprising results.

Dr. Theresa Zesiewicz, professor of neurology at the University of South Florida, is the lead author for a new American Academy of Neurology guideline evaluating treatment options for nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The research is published in the March 16, 2010 issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN).

A process developed by a team of USF researchers which converts common organic materials such as sawdust, yard clippings and even horse manure into jet fuel is among an elite group of 12 projects named as semi-finalists in the prestigious Global Venture Challenge 2010.

Dr. Alberto Sagüés, PE and distinguished university professor of civil and environmental engineering, received a 2010 Technical Achievement Award from the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) International for his work in corrosion engineering.

The University of South Florida School of Architecture + Community Design was recently recognized by the magazine "Architect" for excelling in community design in its new guide to architecture schools. Coincidentally, an excellent example of the school’s community design program in action has just made the shortlist for a World Architecture (WA) Design Award. The Noah Nothing Caring and Teaching House, designed and built by USF students, was chosen from among hundreds of projects submitted from all over the world and joins a growing list of award-winning projects.

Frank Alexander, Jr. and Justin Boone, first-year Ph.D. students in the Department of Electrical Engineering, have been selected as National Science Foundation (NSF) International Research & Education in Engineering (IREE) China program awardees. They are amongst only 50 students chosen from a nationwide pool of applicants for this NSF funded program.

The topic of the up-coming workshop in NCURA TV 2010 series is "Critical Issues for the Department Administrator". Again, we offer twice DVD viewing opportunities in the second week of May.

Date: May 11, Tuesday Time: 8:30am - 12:00pm
Date: May 13, Thursday Time: 1:30pm - 5:00pm

Locationa: DSR Conference Room, UTB160
(for both days)

TRAIN™ serves as the “Central Hub” for all USF sponsored research training, including training provided by the the various divisions of the Office of Research™ Innovation and Research Financial Management. For more information or to request training for your individual or departmental needs, contact TRAIN™.

Telephone: 813-97-HELP1 (813-974-3571)

Email:TRAIN@research.usf.edu