Multimedia Features | The University Record

October 15, 2021

Hyenas in Ethiopia

Hyenas are frequently vilified and often feared, but a new study led Neil Carter, assistant professor of environment, and colleagues concludes that hyena scavenging provides significant public health and economic benefits to the African cities where they roam. In this video, Carter and others discuss the role that spotted hyenas play in annually removing 207 tons of animal carcass waste around the Ethiopian city of Mekelle.

Obtawaing Biosphere Region

The Obtawaing Biosphere Region in northern Michigan is a newly awarded UNESCO designation involving U-M’s Biological Station. It recognizes the region as a place of unique and diverse ecological, social and economic significance. In this photo, U-M researchers walk the property of the U-M Biological Station in Pellston. (Photo by Eric Bronson, Michigan Photography)

Read more about the Obtawaing Biosphere Region

October 13, 2021

Energy-saving windows

The Office of the Vice President for Student Life and Architecture, Engineering and Construction collaborated over the summer to replace windows at Oxford Houses in a move expected to significantly reduce energy use and save heating and cooling costs. The project involved approximately 16,000 square feet of windows at the facility east of Central Campus on Oxford Road that is home to approximately 350 students, including those in LSA’s Sustainable Living Experience. (Photo by Alex Bryan, Student Life)

Read more about the Oxford Houses window project

October 12, 2021

Community Recognition Festival

Members of K-Motion, an all-female Korean pop dance group, perform at the Year Five DEI Strategic Plan Community Recognition Festival Monday afternoon at the Trotter Multicultural Center. The open-house-style event was an opportunity for the campus community to recognize the many accomplishments of U-M’s five-year DEI Strategic Plan implementation. K-Motion’s performers included Hannah Kim, Nerissa Wang, Chelsea Oh, Jessica You, Christina Tan and Catherine Zhang. (Photo by Austin Thomason, Michigan Photography)

Cow-inspired biodigesters

A $6.8 million effort to more efficiently convert organic solid waste from trash and wastewater into methane, a pipeline-ready renewable fuel, is being led by U-M, in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory, Northwestern University and others. The U.S. Department of Energy is providing $5 million of the funding. Graduate research assistant Renata Rae Strarostka is one of the researchers working on the project that takes as its inspiration one of nature’s most efficient biodigesters — a cow’s stomach. (Photo by Robert Coelius, College of Engineering)

Leadership Address

President Mark Schlissel delivered his annual President’s University Leadership Address to campus leaders Oct. 7 at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business’ Robertson Auditorium, as well as to the university community at large via livestream. In the address, a full video of which is provided here, Schlissel emphasized the importance of collaboration, outlined his priorities for the coming year and provided updates on several campus initiatives.

Read the Record’s coverage of address highlights

October 7, 2021

Nuclear nonproliferation

The Department of Homeland Security is giving researchers at U-M $1.9 million to find out what to look for when neutrons used to to probe shipping containers slip through the shielding around nuclear contraband. Current methods do not work well when special nuclear materials are “shielded” inside a heavy material. In this photo, Christopher Meert, a graduate student in nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, arranges the metal shielding that mimics the way weapons-grade uranium and plutonium might be hidden inside shipping containers. (Photo by Robert Coelius, College of Engineering)

Read more about nuclear nonproliferation

October 6, 2021

Improving student well-being

Robert Ernst, associate vice president of student life for health and wellness, talks with UMSocial about the current state of COVID-19 on campus, including declining case numbers, and how the campus community moves forward. In this video, Ernst also discusses student well-being and shares the many efforts U-M has taken this year to address student mental health.

Read more at the Campus Maize & Blueprint

October 2, 2021

LSA Building dedication

LSA Dean Anne Curzan speaks during the Oct. 1 dedication ceremony for the expanded LSA Building. The event marked the official opening of the addition, which includes a range of resources and spaces to help LSA students to connect, collaborate, study and and succeed. It featured remarks by President Mark Schlissel, Regent Jordan Acker and LSA Student Government President Tyler Watt, as well as LSA student performances and a reception. (Photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)

Read more about the expanded LSA Building

October 1, 2021

Renewable diesel cars

Working with General Motors, U-M mechanical engineers have put together a renewable diesel vehicle demonstration. Using 100 percent renewable hydrocarbon biofuels, engineers estimate that there was an 80 percent reduction in the carbon footprint over the use of traditional, petroleum-sourced fuels. In this video, André Boehman, professor of mechanical engineering and director of the W.E. Lay Automotive Laboratory, discusses the project and its potential benefits.