VP Urges Protecting Research
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A Hawkeye friendship on the sidelines. PAGE 8. The Daily Iowan TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2020 THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA COMMUNITY SINCE 1868 DAILYIOWAN.COM 50¢ NEWS SERIES State reports eighth case of COVID-19 Una 'inspiración' Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation after Maria Bruno became executive director for Belonging and Inclusion in October 2019. But news of more coronavirus cases. for Bruno, a high-school dropout and daughter of immigrants, her path took many turns. BY SARAH WATSON [email protected] Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Monday after state health offi- cials confirmed five new presumptive positive cases of the novel coronavirus — four of the five people who tested positive live in Johnson County. The number of coronavirus cases in Iowa now totals eight. Seven of the eight people with a presumptive positive coronavi- rus case reside in Johnson Coun- ty, and all traveled on the same Reynolds cruise in Egypt. All eight are recovering at home in isolation. Of the new coronavirus cases, four of the five people are between the ages of 61 and 80, are residents of Johnson County and traveled on the same Egyptian cruise as the three cases an- nounced on Sunday. The cruise took place from Feb. 17 to March 2, with residents returning to Johnson County on March 3. The remaining person is a resident of Pot- tawattamie County, is between the ages of 41 and 60, and recently traveled to California. Reynolds signed a Proclamation of Disas- ter Emergency Monday, activating the disas- ter response and recovery aspects of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emer- SEE COVID-19, 2 Tate Hildyard/The Daily Iowan VP urges Executive Director for Belonging & Inclusion Maria Bruno poses for a portrait in the IMU on March 2. BY RIN SWANN Bruno's beginnings [email protected] Bruno is the daughter of two immigrants. Born in Mexico, the protecting In college, Maria Guadalupe Bruno’s nickname from her sorority was now 45-year-old old moved to the northwest Chicago suburbs when “inspiración,” or inspiration. she was 5. Her parents both worked in hotels: her mother as a house- As an adult, that nickname has found new meaning. Formerly a high- keeper and her father as a janitor. school dropout, Bruno has earned three degrees and is the executive direc- She spent her childhood growing up in what she described as a tor for Belonging and Inclusion within the Division of Student Life. And very challenging neighborhood and was forced to attend group ther- research the story of how she got there reflects her nickname, fellow Hawkeyes say. apy for children who lived in at-risk homes by a social worker. Since Bruno assumed the position in October, she’s best known for “This person thought she would save me from my environment,” centering her work Bruno said. The VP for Research addressed around supporting The social worker federal policies for researchers students. She spear- removed her from her headed the move of home at 15 years old. when it comes to disclosing Student Disability Bruno spent the next foreign activities for their work. Services from the three years living in basement of Burge shelters and group BY KELSEY HARRELL and chairing a num- homes. Because of [email protected] ber of committees the constant shifting, and teams, including Bruno dropped out In light of federal investigations into the for- the Implementation of high school before eign activities of National Institutes of Health Team for the Divi- age 16. researchers, University of Iowa sion of Student Life “When people ask Vice President of Research Mar- Diversity, Equity, me where I grew up, tin Scholtz released a letter re- and Inclusion Action it’s really hard for me minding researchers on campus plan; the Accessibility to answer that ques- to disclose external conflicts of Action Team; and the tion because I was interest and foreign activities. Equity Committee. removed from my The letter said researchers “As a student home,” Bruno said. Scholtz need to follow university poli- on campus who She had no educa- cies, federal laws governing ap- is marginalized, tion and her removal propriate use of laboratory space, and agency she’s someone was difficult for her laws to protect the integrity and reputation of that definitely lis- family, ultimately the UI. This move follows investigations into tens to me and my leading to her parents' foreign-research activity at institutions such as voice,” said Chris- divorce. Harvard University, Emory University, and the topher Vazquez, a Abby Watkins/The Daily Iowan “I didn’t have any- University of Kansas. UI student and a Executive Director for Belonging and Inclusion Maria Bruno gives a presentation during a UI Student Gov- where to go,” Bruno “International collaboration fuels important founding member ernment meeting at the IMU on Feb. 18. said. research and scholarship at our university,” the of the #DoesUIo- It was the military letter said. “While we must all be vigilant against waLoveMe movement, which started on campus in 2019 after concerns that changed her life. After meeting an Air Force recruiter, he took abuse of these relationships, such cases repre- from students about support for Hawkeyes from underrepresented com- her for a pre-test for her GED and, after she performed well, she took sent an infinitesimal fraction of the creative, munities. “[She’s] someone who cares and she’ll care for you even if she the test and passed. compliant, and urgent work taking place here doesn’t know you yet.” Three days later, Bruno packed her bags and left for Lackland Air day after day by the vast majority of you.” For Bruno, supporting students is the most important part of her job, Force Base in San Antonio. The UI Operations Manual states that the uni- and it starts from her office doors. Scattered around her workplace in color- Bruno wanted to be a medical doctor and began her time in the Air versity is a steward of public trust and that re- ful clusters are posters and pins, highlighting empowerment and diversity. Force as a medical assistant. During that time, they tested possible search should be carried out with integrity and I <3 Civil Rights, one says. Value all voices, says another. I’m proud to sup- candidates for an EMT program and Bruno was shocked to learn she free from outside conflicts of interests, Stephen port first gen @ Iowa. was one of five people who had performed extremely well. Pradarelli, strategic-communications director Every poster and pin highlights a group that has often felt voiceless and “I didn’t think I was one of those folks because I didn’t have for the Vice President for Research’s Office, said pledges support. One rainbow poster adorning one of her cabinet doors the high-school education and background a lot of my peers did,” in an email to The Daily Iowan. reads LGTBQ Safe Zone. Bruno said. Researchers are required to disclose con- “I want people to feel the way I have Following the EMT testing, Bruno traveled to the Walter Reed Ar- flicts of interest, financial and otherwise, even felt,” Bruno said. “Where people have really my Medical Center, where she specialized in allergy immunology and if it does not involve foreign entities, Pradarelli supported me and encouraged me. That’s anaphylaxis treatment. said. Research often involves working with oth- what helps us thrive.” SEE BRUNO, 5 SEE RESEARCH, 2 2 NEWS THE DAILY IOWAN | DAILYIOWAN.COM | TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2020 Volume 151 DOWNTOWN AT DEADWOOD The Daily Iowan Issue 104 BREAKING NEWS STAFF Phone: (319) 335-6030 Publisher. 335-5788 Email: [email protected] Jason Brummond Fax: 335-6297 Editor in Chief. 335-6030 Marissa Payne CORRECTIONS Managing Editors Call: 335-6030 Brooklyn Draisey Policy: The Daily Iowan strives for accuracy and fairness in the Kayli Reese reporting of news. 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Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2004 Emily Callahan COVID-19 In a statement Sunday students advised instructors The first cases of corona- CONTINUED FROM FRONT after the first three cases in to prepare tools to conduct virus have been linked to BUSINESS STAFF Johnson County were an- classes remotely in case of a Wuhan, China, in Decem- Business Manager Advertising Sales nounced, the University of widespread coronavirus out- ber, 2019, but cases have Debra Plath.