Category Archives: Campus News

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Computers running at the speed of light?

Researchers from Germany and the University of Michigan have recently demonstrated in a study that infrared laser pulses can shift electrons between two different states, 1 and 0, in a sheet of semiconductor. Their research could help make quantum computing devices, which operate millions of times faster than a conventional computer, a reality. “Ordinary electronics are in the… Read More »

Tackling the gender gap in innovation

By | May 3, 2018

In recognition of World Intellectual Property Day, the U-M Office of Tech Transfer recently recognized the achievements of U-M faculty and researchers, who, since 2011, have been responsible for more than 900 patents—laying the groundwork for dozens of products, services and startup companies that are already contributing toward the betterment of society. Following the lead of the World… Read More »

Ross adds data and analytics concentration

By | May 2, 2018

  The Ross School of Business is getting on the data analytics train. The school announced recently that it will offer a new MBA concentration focused on business data and analytics beginning in the fall 2018 semester. The concentration, says Brad Killaly, associate dean of full-time and global MBA programs, is designed for MBA students looking to hone their… Read More »

Innovating education through Applied Data Science with Python

  Coursera recently named Christopher Brooks, assistant professor at the School of Information, a winner of its Outstanding Educator Award for Innovation for his teaching strategies in the online Applied Data Science with Python Specialization. His approach allows students are to use actual data in a low-stakes environment to solve problems that are relevant to their own communities,… Read More »

ITS announces approval for project to install WiFi on the Diag

Information and Technology Services has received funding approval to install WiFi in portions of the Diag. In September 2017, Central Student Government President Anushka Sarkar and CSG Vice President Nadine Jawad announced an initiative outlined as part of their platform to install WiFi on the Central Campus Diag. At the request of students and with the support of… Read More »

New M-Reports User Group forming

ITS Information Quest is pleased to announce the formation of the M-Reports User Group. This group’s purpose will be to share information about upcoming changes in M-Reports and also to receive feedback about what could be improved. We will attempt to meeting every few months, while being sensitive to other BI User Groups and Communities of Practice meetings.… Read More »

Erin Dietrich joins HITS as senior director for Research Applications & Advanced Computing

  Erin Dietrich joined Health Information Technology & Services (HITS) as the new senior director for Research Applications & Advanced Computing in March. As a member of the HITS senior team, Erin provides leadership for operational coordination and strategic guidance of the information technologies and services that support the research mission of Michigan Medicine. She works with U-M… Read More »

At what cost WiFi?

By | April 24, 2018

A recent “Inside Higher Ed” article examines how colleges, including U-M, are committing considerable resources to keep up with students’ expectation that wireless internet should be free, fast, and everywhere. The U-M Ann Arbor campus embarked on an ambitious Wi-Fi upgrade five years ago that required meticulous planning. In some areas the wired network had to be extended, and new wireless… Read More »

Connecting music and big data

By | April 23, 2018

Four U-M research teams will receive support for projects that apply data science tools to the study of music theory, performance, social media-based music making, and the connection between words and music. The funding is provided under the Data Science for Music Challenge Initiative through the Michigan Institute for Data Science (MIDAS). The projects include digital analysis of… Read More »

New tools may serve as virtual tutors for students in coding classes

Getting help in programming courses outside of instructors’ office hours can be difficult, but a new tool called “chat.codes” may help change that. Steve Oney, assistant professor of information at the U-M School of Information (UMSI) and of electrical engineering and computer science at the College of Engineering, has received a National Science Foundation grant of $174,981 for his… Read More »

What happened when the dean’s office stopped sending emails after hours

By | April 17, 2018

When LSA English professor Anne Curzan became associate dean for humanities several years ago, she—like many professors who take on administrative roles—was overwhelmed by the uptick in email traffic she faced. It also became clear that the majority of people in the dean’s office were swimming in email as well, spending hours every evening dealing with messages that had… Read More »

Helping students maintain mental wellbeing in a digital world

By | April 13, 2018

Campus Mind Works, a student wellness group that promotes mental health education and provides support through the U-M Depression Center, recently held a seminar on the potentially harmful effects of a world increasingly dependent on technology. Held in partnership with the College of Engineering, the Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center, and clinical staff affiliated with the Department of… Read More »

U-M recognized as leader in GIS by Esri

Earlier this year U-M was invited to participate in the informal Esri Development Center (EDC) program. We join a small number of universities recognized as leaders in GIS teaching and research. While the EDC program was initially conceived with a focus on development in the traditional sense—coding and programming of geographic information system (GIS) solutions—U-M was identified as… Read More »

How telemedicine can be a key lifeline after surgery

By | April 12, 2018

A growing number of Michigan Medicine patients are participating in an innovative new approach to patient care: Surgery eClinics, which facilitate follow-up visits via video conferencing. The concept of telemedicine and video medicine isn’t new. But its application in the field of surgery has been relatively limited. Similar to the house calls of old, the virtual clinic approach… Read More »

“Father of the Internet” retires from U-M

Douglas Van Houweling, UMSI professor of information, also known as the “Father of the Internet,” retired in April after a long, remarkable career at UMSI and U-M. During his time at U-M, Van Houweling has served as UMSI associate dean for research and innovation; U-M dean for academic outreach and vice provost for information and technology; and U-M… Read More »

Fragmented U.S. privacy laws leave large data loopholes

By | April 10, 2018

Florian Schaub, an assistant professor at U-M and a privacy expert, notes in a recent article that the patchwork of U. S. laws and regulations that govern data collection and privacy leave loopholes for companies to exploit. For example, Federal laws strictly protect medical, financial, and education-related records. However, online services, apps, and data collection by emerging technologies… Read More »

Digital privacy a risk for undocumented immigrants

Undocumented immigrants tend to be careful about public life: They limit contact with authorities, keep close-knit circles, and avoid loitering too long in parks, supermarkets, shows and other public gatherings. Some even avoid driving altogether. But when it comes to their smartphones, they struggle to apply this instinctive caution, according to a study by the U-M School of… Read More »

New IT leadership at LSA, SSW

By | April 5, 2018

After a nationwide search, the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts recently announced that Cathleen Curley will be the college’s new chief information officer as of April 24, 2018. Curley is currently the executive director of strategy & planning at Information and Technology Services. She is known for her passion, strategic thinking, creating a collaborative work environment, and… Read More »