UF News and events of possible media interest (Nov. 10)

Published: November 10 2014

Category:General

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- Here are the releases the University of Florida’s media relations office expects to send this week, subject to change:

Monday, Nov. 10

SEATURTLES -- UF researchers and volunteers found a distressed green sea turtle near the Keys and rescued it from drowning. They named it “IFAS” and tested him to see whether his tumor condition was treatable, and it is. He’ll be quarantined for a year and when he’s released, he’ll be fitted with a satellite tracker that allows us to track his whereabouts. With photo.

Tuesday, Nov. 11

HOLIDAY (Veterans Day)

Wednesday, Nov. 12

UFALERT TEST – Announcement about UF Alert test scheduled for Friday.

EBOLATRAVEL -- While American travelers continue to be concerned with the Ebola outbreak, more than 90 percent indicated that their household’s leisure travel plans have not been affected by the recent Ebola cases in the United States, a new UF study shows. The study found that while one in three (31%) American travelers are concerned about Ebola and air travel right now, approximately 60 percent indicated that their household is unlikely to avoid traveling in the U.S. due to the recent Ebola cases here.

Thursday, Nov. 13

Open

Friday, Nov. 14

Open

UF events of possible media interest listed

An opportunity to gaze at the stars

Florida Museum of Natural History visitors will have an opportunity to observe the universe with astronomy experts during the eighth annual Starry Night from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 14. The museum will host a planetarium show featuring professional-quality telescopes provided by area astronomists will enable guests to stargaze during this free, family-friendly event. A 3-D “AstroWall” will also allow visitors to view the cosmos in another dimension. While a cloudy sky may prevent stargazing, the event and other activities will proceed regardless of the weather. For more information, contact: Paul Ramey, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2054.

Internationally recognized scholar to speak on Islam and human rights

Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na’im, will speak at 120 Pugh Hall Thursday, Nov. 13, at 5:30 p.m. The event is hosted by the UF Center for Global Islamic Studies.

An-Na’im is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law, associate professor in the Emory College of Arts and Sciences, and Senior Fellow of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion of Emory University.

Refreshments will be served after the event. For more information, contact: Terje Ostebo, 352-392-2175, ostebo@ufl.edu

Latin American Museum Night at the Harn

The UF Harn Museum of Art and the UF Center for Latin American Studies will co-host an evening of exploring the art and culture of Latin America Thursday, Nov. 13, from 6 to 9:00 p.m. "Patterns Past and Present” will feature decorative mola textiles and ceramic works from Panama, live Latin music performed by Tropix, Latin dance demonstrations, a Puerto Rican santos (wood-carving) display from local collector Hector Puig, clay-building demonstrations, hands-on activities, Art Blast art tours and food.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Eric Segal at esegal@harn.ufl.edu.

Renowned science communicator says, “Let’s speak up!”

For scientists to better communicate with the public, they’ll have to use more than their brains. They’ll need their hearts, souls and voices as well, says Alison Van Eenennaam, who will present the fall 2014 York lecture.

Van Eenennaam, a Cooperative Extension specialist in animal genomics and biotechnology at the University of California, Davis, will give a talk called “GMO Technology: What do the facts say?” Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. at Emerson Alumni Hall. The talk is free and open to the public.

Information about the York Lecture Series and a link for streaming the event can be found at http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/york/.

Addressing the effects of stress on young brains

Recent research is revealing just how much childhood trauma – whether physical abuse or a toxic environment – can affect young brains as they mature. Researchers are drawing direct lines from these experiences to lifelong problems in learning, behavior, and physical and mental health. An upcoming conference, “Seeds of Violence: Toxic Stress and the Developing Brain,” will illuminate this important topic and how to address it in our communities.

The daylong conference will be held Nov. 14 at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center. The sponsors are the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic, the Center on Children and Families, the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding and the Bob Graham Center for Public Service.

For details, contact Debbie Kelley at 352-494-3016 or kelley@law.ufl.edu.

ESPN columnist, sports analyst to speak at UF

ACCENT Speakers Bureau at UF will bring ESPN columnist, sports analyst and radio host Stephen A. Smith to campus. His talk will begin at 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Smith is the co-host of ESPN’s “First Take” and is an NBA analyst for all of ESPN’s programs. He also co-hosts “The Stephen A. Smith Show” on SirusXM Radio. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/669538223161374/.

For details, contact Debbie Kelley at kelley@law.ufl.edu or 352-494-3016.

Film screening on Nov. 17

The Bob Graham Center for Public Service will co-host a screening of “You Belong to Me” at 6 p.m. Nov. 17 in Pugh Hall, followed by a panel discussion. The documentary focuses on the case of Ruby McCollum, the woman who shot Senator-elect Dr. Clifford LeRoy Adams four times. The film also examines the larger impact the case had on the Live Oak community and the South in general. The panel discussion will feature telecommunication professor Churchill Roberts as moderator. Other panelists will include Hilary Saltzman, producer of the film; Ken Nunn, professor of law; and Paul Ortiz, director of the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program. Other sponsors include the UF College of Journalism and Communications and the Center for the Study of Race Relations. The event and parking are free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://www.bobgrahamcenter.ufl.edu/event/film-you-belong-me.

Category:General