This Week, August 6 - 10, 2012
NSF grant to guide irrigation management tool to market
In the midst of the worst drought in more than half a century, U.S. farmers are drawing on their best defenses — the center pivot and their experience dealing with some of the harshest conditions Mother Nature can deal. Now a UNL computer engineer is preparing to give them a new tool for their irrigation management arsenal — one that has the potential to decrease costs, conserve water, and improve yields.
Mehmet Can Vuran, assistant professor of computer science and engineering, has spent years developing wireless underground sensor networks to give agricultural producers real-time information about soil moisture and changing conditions that would allow them to more efficiently manage irrigation. He's had the help of doctoral student Xin Dong, as well as a five-year, $418,760 grant from the National Science Foundation's Faculty Early Career Development Program to further develop the technology. Read more about this grant in Today@UNL.
UNL community works on national television spot
The UNL community pulls together to help create a television spot that will be shown nationwide. The project yields valuable experience for students on both sides of the camera.
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Third associate VC candidate to visit Aug. 6
Regina Werum, a candidate for associate vice chancellor for research, will make a public presentation 3 p.m. Aug. 6 (Monday) in the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center room 212/Unity Room. Faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend.
Werum is an associate professor of sociology at Emory University where she co-directed the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Graduate Teaching Fellowship Program for five years. From 2010 through July 2012, she took leave from Emory to serve as program director for sociology in the National Science Foundation's Directorate of Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences. She earned a bachelor's degree in language arts from Hope College, and a master's in sociology and doctorate in sociology and American studies, both from Indiana University. Read more about Werum in Today@UNL.
UNL in the national news: July 2012
National media outlets featured and cited UNL sources on a number of topics in the past month. Read a full list of media appearances in Today@UNL.
UNL launches Nebraska App
UNL has launched the Nebraska App, a suite of mobile applications that makes essential university resources available on mobile devices. Students can check grades, access course content and browse the course catalog. They can access the public directory and get in touch instantly, keep tabs on Husker sports, find places on the campus map, stay informed with the latest campus news, watch videos, and even listen to podcasts of popular lectures in iTunesU.
"UNL is moving services to the where the students are in terms of devices and network access"," said Mark Askren, Chief Information Officer. "Students now have a much more powerful connection to UNL via their mobile device." Read more about Nebraska App in Today@UNL.
