University of Massachusetts Boston ScholarWorks at UMass Boston 1996-2009, University Reporter University Publications and Campus Newsletters 11-1-2004 University Reporter - Volume 09, Number 03 - November 2004 Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.umb.edu/university_reporter Recommended Citation "University Reporter - Volume 09, Number 03 - November 2004" (2004). 1996-2009, University Reporter. Paper 44. http://scholarworks.umb.edu/university_reporter/44 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University Publications and Campus Newsletters at ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. It has been accepted for inclusion in 1996-2009, University Reporter by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. For more information, please contact [email protected]. NEWS AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON THE UNIVERSITY ReporterVolume 9, Number 3 November 2004 UMass Boston Developing Innovative Partnership with Dana-Farber By Anne-Marie Kent The Dana-Farber Cancer Insti- Upon his return to San Francisco, leadership group envisioned a tute (DFCI) is a landmark on the he mentioned the meeting to continuing partnership involving Boston medical landscape, treat- Fonteyn, sparking the idea of a research partnerships, opportuni- ing cancer patients and exploring new partnership in Boston. ties for undergraduates, and job new treatments since its founding “The U-56 grant connects a opportunities. in 1947. DFCI is a principal teach- minority-serving institution with One outcome of these meet- ing affiliate of the Harvard Medi- a cancer center to address issues ings has been the introduction of cal School and is among the lead- of health disparities in the U.S. many UMass Boston faculty mem- ing cancer research and care cen- We did it in San Francisco. I bers to Dana-Farber researchers. ters in the United States. It part- wanted to do the same thing They include Professor Manickam ners with seven other Boston in- here,” explained Fonteyn. Sugumaran, who is studying the stitutions in a consortium address- “Initially I went with Michael role of melanin biosynthesis inter- ing the needs of cancer patients Some of the members of the Dana-Farber/UMass Boston Project Lead- Shiaris and met with Dana-Farber mediates in melanoma carcin- and advancing the field of cancer ership Group (from left): Karen Emmons, Andrea Talis, Karen Burns Cancer Institute leadership to dis- ogensisis, and Professor Linda research. White of Dana-Farber; Greer Glazer, dean of the College of Nursing cuss the development of a U-56 Huang, who is examining cell- and Health Sciences; Paul Fonteyn, provost and vice chancellor for UMass Boston may be well on academic affairs; Faye Austin of Dana-Farber; Joan Becker, associate proposal. Out of that initial meet- type-specific-RNA splicing, both its way to being an active partici- vice chancellor for academic support services; and Susan Bauer-Wu ing sprang the concept of devel- in partnership with Dana-Farber pant in that esteemed group, of Dana-Farber. (Photo by Harry Brett) oping a variety of different things researchers. thanks to Provost Paul Fonteyn’s proposal that was awarded by the Back in 2001, the principal in- we could explore,” said Fonteyn. A third UMass Boston re- enterprising work. National Institutes of Health be- vestigator of the San Francisco “We have met approximately ev- searcher, Kyle McInnis, is investi- During his tenure at San Fran- tween the University of Califor- grant happened to be at a Na- ery six weeks for the past two gating weight control, physical ac- cisco State, Fonteyn spearheaded nia at San Francisco Cancer Cen- tional Institutes of Health confer- years, systematically.” Fonteyn tivity, and cancer-risk reduction the development of a U-56 grant ter and San Francisco State. ence with DFCI representatives. and the Dana-Farber project among racially diverse women in (Cont. on page 5) Massachusetts Office of Dispute Resolution Moves to UMass Boston By Robert Kurtz There may be no place like a new home in recent years, said direction of MODR. Matz said home, but for the Massachusetts Susan Jeghelian, executive direc- the chance to bring MODR to Office of Dispute Resolution, tor. “Our location wasn’t optimal UMass Boston warranted consid- there’s no place like a new home, and our level of funding and re- eration. “It seemed like a sensible especially when it is on the UMass sources was not optimal either,” proposition to explore,” Matz Boston campus. Jeghelian said. “We needed a new said. “It looked like a chance for The Massachusetts Office of home.” us to enhance opportunities for Dispute Resolution (MODR) is a Having noticed a trend our students.” state agency that helps public of- throughout the country which Now that MODR has arrived, ficials and citizens resolve con- saw other offices of dispute reso- having a resource of such great flicts in collaborative ways and lution relocating to university set- potential is an idea Matz finds ap- build agreement on public policy tings, MODR contacted David pealing. “We’re delighted because issues. It moved from the Execu- Matz, founder and director of the it does seem like, in principle, a tive Office of Administration and Graduate Program in Dispute good marriage,” he said. Finance, located in Boston in the Resolution at UMass Boston. It is a good marriage because State House, onto campus and Matz has worked in some ca- UMass Boston and MODR commenced operations in the be- pacity with MODR since its in- should both benefit from the part- Executive Director Susan Jeghelian and the Massachusetts Office ginning of September. nership. Students will have the op- of Dispute Resolution are now located in McCormack Hall, having ception, including serving as a moved in September to UMass Boston. (Photo by Harry Brett) MODR had been looking for consultant regarding the initial portunity to serve internships, re- (Cont. on page 4) University Communications Non-Profit UMass Boston Organization 100 Morrissey Boulevard PAID Boston, MA 02125-3393 Boston, MA Permit No. 52094 Election Watch C-Span will be at UMass Boston interview- ing students on the morning of Tuesday, November 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in front of the Campus Center. See www.umb.edu for details. Arthur Eisenkraft: Distinguished Professor of Science Education By Ed Hayward Arthur Eisenkraft joined the Boston’s commitment to urban ar- tionally possessed by the junior- ranks of the UMass Boston fac- eas and education,” Eisenkraft said year physics class, he said. ulty this fall among a crop of in a recent interview. “I came here Boston, Eisenkraft said, is at newly minted Ph.D.s. However, because I was missing students.” the heart of these national move- his doctorate in science education For the last two years, ments to raise the quality of sci- was minted at New York Univer- Eisenkraft has been directing a ence education for all students. sity in 1984, after he had spent a pair of National Science Founda- “Two years ago, Boston decade in the classroom as a high tion–funded projects to bring the started implementing Active Phys- school physics teacher. “Active Chemistry” and “Active ics and I came here to help lead Though this is his first univer- Physics” curricula to urban school workshops to train Boston teach- sity post, Eisenkraft brings to his districts, including the Boston ers. Through that, I have been able position as Distinguished Profes- Public Schools. to work with the teachers in Bos- sor of Science Education a career “It was the first time in my ca- ton, which has been very fulfill- defined by the hallmarks of aca- reer where I wasn’t able to juggle ing. The advantage of coming to deme: published articles and re- teaching with other responsibili- UMass Boston is to continue that ports, work on nearly a dozen ties and commitments, and I des- relationship.” books, a patent, federal grants, perately missed the students,” said Over the years, Eisenkraft’s in- organization of international con- Eisenkraft, who in 1991 was hon- Arthur Eisenkraft, Distinguished Professor of Science Education, be- terests have led him to a variety of gan teaching at UMass Boston in September. (Photo by Harry Brett) ferences and competitions, and a ored as Science Teacher of the projects. He directed and coached fellowship in the American Asso- Year by the Disney-sponsored His primary project now is de- mat where physics is taken fresh- in the International Physics Olym- ciation for the Advancement of American Teacher Awards. veloping the Active Physics cur- man year, followed by chemistry, piad, a competition that brings Science. Currently teaching a graduate riculum, which is used by more then biology. Ultimately, the goal together the top physics students His work has focused on course, “Methods in Teaching than 200,000 students across the of the project is to see 100 per- from across the globe. That was a bridging the gap between research Secondary Science,” in the Gradu- country. Originated by the Ameri- cent of all high school freshmen job he undertook at the behest of and practice in the art of science ate College of Education, can Association of Physics Teach- enrolled in physics courses. UMass President Jack M. Wilson education, in addition to finding Eisenkraft will also develop a ers and the American Institute for “Biology now requires an un- when Wilson was executive direc- new ways to make the sciences ac- Center for Science and Mathemat- Physics, the project aims to bring derstanding of chemistry and tor of the American Association of cessible to all students in all ics on campus. He is also a co– physics education to more Ameri- chemistry has always required an Physics Teachers. schools across the country.