When a class project asked students to design a library in Arizona, Caitlin Thissen, a recent architecture graduate, wanted to not only design a usable library but one that embraced the community’s traditions. Thissen used the traditions of the Hohokam tribe, who settled in northern Arizona, as a precedent for developing a building system and […]
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Parasite Killer
What began as a basic science research project for Aude Peden evolved to a much more complex study to help people. Peden, a post-doctoral fellow with the department of biology, came to the U to identify new genes that regulate the nervous system using genetic screens and small roundworms as a modal system. Peden’s project […]
Making the Invisible Visible
Not many people know that seven creeks run in vein-like tunnels beneath Salt Lake Valley’s pavement. But students from the Seven Canyons Trust know about these subterranean waters. They know the beautiful, daylight course these streams traveled in the past, and they are envisioning the face of the valley in the future — and their […]
Distraction-Free Driving
Are certain tasks more distracting than others while driving? For three years, James Coleman, a graduate student in psychology, has been working with professor David Strayer to identify types of distracted driving. Measuring physiological and subjective levels, Coleman created a rating scale. He is currently using his results to meet with advocacy groups who have […]
Start Swimming, and Never Stop
Biology major Ethan Beseris is proving all you need to compete in university athletics is the will to make it happen. Beseris founded the U’s Swim Club, which, despite its infancy, grew quickly to 24 members who competed in monthly meets in the U.S. Masters Swim League. “I believe that with a little outreach, the […]
Perching Helicopters
Small helicopters propelled by four rotors are used to collect data for agriculture and military uses. But they lack the battery power for continuous flight. Beau Freckleton, a student majoring in mechanical engineering, has been working on that problem for almost three years. He is creating a way helicopters can perch like birds, so they […]
Creating Stories To Combat Terrorism
Teaching students about counterterrorism requires a daring combination of creativity and storytelling, a fact discovered by four graduate students at the College of Law. Third-year law students Jeffrey Baldridge, Justin Hosman and Thomas Pedersen, along with masters of science in international affairs and global enterprise student Andrew Radcliffe, headed a project designing terrorist simulations for […]
Adding Color to Children’s Therapy
As a presidential ambassador and frequent collaborator with the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center, U student Alexis Jessop keeps pretty busy. But that doesn’t stop her from doing more. A psychology major that is close to graduating, Jessop recently interned with SEED in South Africa and created a play therapy room for the Intermountain Specialized […]
From Corporate Climber to Social Warrior
Karla Arroyo has led many lives. After working for Mexico’s Department of Treasury and climbing the UPS corporate ladder, the Mexico City native earned a master’s degree in social work from the U and counseled at the Rape Recovery Center. Soon, she became the executive director of South Valley Services, a domestic violence shelter, using […]
Inspiring Change from Utah to Bostwana
“Overachiever” doesn’t even begin to describe U student Lisa Hawkins. A triple major in economics, political science and communication, she has pursued social change with everything from writing a grant for Salt Lake County to traveling to Botswana for the Hinckley Institute. Last year, Hawkins worked with the Hinckley Institute to coordinate the Council of […]
