News from Brown
Source: https://www.brown.edu/news/by-year/2021 Parent: https://www.brown.edu/news/news-events
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Science and Technology
Grant project supports Asian American and Pacific Islander students in geoscience
December 20, 2021
The National Science Foundation will support a project aimed at helping Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders thrive in Earth and geological science education and careers.
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Health and Medicine
Grants totaling $4.6 million support the use of machine learning to improve outcomes of people with HIV
December 20, 2021
In partnership with Moi University in Kenya, Brown University will develop, test and launch data-driven tools to maximize the effectiveness of HIV care programs.
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Science and Technology
Brown students bring Earth science education to Providence elementary schools
December 16, 2021
Through DEEPS STEP, Brown postdocs, undergraduate and graduate students develop and teach a science curriculum, complete with engaging, hands-on activities, to elementary students in the Providence Public School District.
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News and Events
The year in stories — 2021
December 16, 2021
At Brown, calendar year 2021 was brimming with breakthroughs, reflections, an unshakeable sense of community and the determination necessary to move forward — here are 21 stories that offer a glimpse at that activity.
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News and Events
From most diverse applicant pool to date, Brown admits 896 early decision students
December 16, 2021
Selected from a pool of 6,146 applicants, the Class of 2026’s first members reflect the University’s ongoing commitment to making a Brown education more accessible to students from every socioeconomic background.
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Health and Medicine
Advancing health care and the R.I. economy — leaders, experts discuss proposed academic health system
December 15, 2021
Brown, Lifespan and Care New England leaders joined U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and other experts in a virtual discussion on the potential for an integrated system to provide world-class care for the people of Rhode Island.
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Arts and Humanities
In music theory class, students learn another kind of storytelling
December 14, 2021
Eric Nathan’s Theory of Tonal Music I course teaches students the mechanics of music — then calls on them to write their own pop songs.
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Health and Medicine
Researchers develop an RNA-based breath test to detect COVID-19
December 14, 2021
The Bubbler, a breathalyzer device that reverse-transcribes RNA from airborne SARS-CoV-2 in breath, predicts lower respiratory tract involvement and is less invasive than alternative testing approaches, researchers say.
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Health and Medicine
Student entrepreneurs at Intus Care harness power of data to improve health care for the elderly
December 9, 2021
Making the most of opportunities for entrepreneurship support at Brown, four undergraduates combined their distinctive skills, talents and experiences to change how health care is provided to vulnerable patients.
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Health and Medicine
$25 million gift to Brown to accelerate discovery at renamed Legorreta Cancer Center
December 9, 2021
Generous support from the Legorreta family will propel plans for a world-class, nationally designated cancer center at Brown that will turn basic science into treatments for patients in Rhode Island and beyond.
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Science and Technology
Researchers identify brain signals associated with OCD symptoms, paving way for adaptive treatment
December 9, 2021
The discovery of electrical signals in the brain associated with OCD could enable an emerging type of adaptive deep brain stimulation therapy as an improved treatment.
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University Initiatives
Together, Brown, Vartan Gregorian Elementary are designing, creating hands-on ‘STEAM room’ for kids
December 8, 2021
Staff at Brown University are working with the Providence public school to transform an empty classroom into an engaging, interactive space where students can conduct experiments and work on creative projects.
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Arts and Humanities
At Brown, Indigenous students are keeping their native languages alive
December 8, 2021
An independent study project organized through the Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative is enabling students to strengthen their knowledge of international Indigenous languages, from Narragansett to Yoruba.
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News and Events
Bianca Camacho and her fellow midyear completers create unique paths to a Brown degree
December 7, 2021
Brown’s annual Midyear Completion Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 11, an in-person event that will be live-streamed, will celebrate the achievements of this year’s “.5ers,” who complete their degree requirements this month.
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Arts and Humanities
In yearlong Songwriting Workshop, student and community musicians find their voices
December 2, 2021
The Brown Arts Institute’s free and open-to-the-public Songwriting Workshop provides a welcoming space for musicians from all walks of life to perform for one another and receive feedback on songs in progress.
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Science and Technology
Study shows how machine learning could improve COVID-19 predictive models
December 1, 2021
With the help of an advanced machine learning technique, researchers from Brown University suggest strategies for improving the performance of epidemiological models used to predict the course of pandemics.
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News and Events
Kevin McLaughlin to complete extended term as Brown’s dean of the faculty
November 30, 2021
The accomplished dean and professor, who oversaw the creation of renowned academic centers and recruited world-class faculty, will return to research and to teaching English, comparative literature and German studies after a sabbatical.
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Arts and Humanities
Brown senior studying issues impacting migrant communities wins prestigious Rhodes Scholarship
November 22, 2021
One of just 32 Rhodes Scholars from the United States, Alexandra Ali Martínez will pursue a doctoral degree in migration studies at Oxford University.
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News and Events
Students unite to take a hands-on, DIY approach to improving air quality
November 19, 2021
An event hosted by Brown’s School of Public Health brought students together to build low-cost, highly effective Corsi-Rosenthal cubes as air filters that will augment existing filtration systems at Brown.
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Arts and Humanities
Were the ancient Maya an agricultural cautionary tale? Maybe not, new study suggests
November 16, 2021
Many believe climate change and environmental degradation caused the Maya civilization to fall — but a new survey shows that some Maya kingdoms had sustainable agricultural practices and high food yields for centuries.
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University Initiatives
Scholars, leaders reflect on Brown’s transformative Slavery and Justice Report
November 12, 2021
University leaders, faculty, alumni and students gathered on Friday, Nov. 12, to celebrate a new second edition of the report, discuss the original report’s legacy and debate what work remains at Brown and beyond.
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Science and Technology
Brown physics student earns Ph.D. at age 89
November 12, 2021
After a 30-year career in medicine, Manfred Steiner returned to the classroom to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a physicist.
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University Initiatives
Fifteen years after its publication, Brown’s watershed Slavery and Justice Report is reinvigorated
November 12, 2021
A second edition of Brown’s landmark report, which sparked a national conversation on higher education’s entanglements with racial slavery, offers new insights on the document’s persistent and evolving impact.
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News and Events
Veterans Day ceremony at Brown honors veterans, welcomes new ROTC members
November 11, 2021
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, an Army veteran, joined University leaders, student veterans and Brown ROTC students who are future members of the Air Force, Army and Navy in celebrating the service of the nation’s military.
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Health and Medicine
People of color, women and those with health conditions among veterans at high risk of food insecurity
November 11, 2021
New findings about military veterans at the highest risk for food insecurity can help connect them to food they need for good health and inform interventions to address the larger, long-term issue.
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Student Life
Pawtucket native, U.S. Army veteran combines Brown education with service to community
November 8, 2021
Brehan Brady — a self-described working-class kid from Pawtucket who transferred to Brown from the Community College of Rhode Island — joins other student veterans in forging a new path after their military service.
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Arts and Humanities
Brown Library, HBCU Library Alliance awarded grant to create library leadership program
November 8, 2021
With a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Brown’s library will partner with the HBCU Library Alliance and its member institutions to help library professionals become culturally sensitive, socially conscious leaders.
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Health and Medicine
Study offers insights on why the elderly are more susceptible to COVID-19
November 8, 2021
New research reveals the cellular mechanism behind why the elderly, as well as those with certain overlapping diseases, are at risk of infection and death from the virus — and how this mechanism can potentially be used to protect them.
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News and Events
In visit to Brown, Salman Rushdie discusses freedom of speech, literary influences and more
November 5, 2021
During a panel discussion and Q&A on politics, religion and literature, the acclaimed author urged audiences to maintain balance between preserving freedom of speech and fighting the looming specter of totalitarianism.
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Student Life
For senior Elvia Perez, an entrepreneurial approach to tackling educational disparities
November 4, 2021
With classroom experiences across the Open Curriculum and support from the Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship, Perez built on her own experiences to launch EmpowerU, a startup that connects low-income students to higher education resources.
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Science and Technology
Vast patches of glassy rock in Chilean desert likely created by ancient exploding comet
November 2, 2021
Heat from a comet exploding just above the ground fused the sandy soil into patches of glass stretching 75 kilometers, a study led by Brown University researchers found.
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News and Events
Brown surpasses $3 billion BrownTogether fundraising goal early, will extend campaign
November 2, 2021
Having reached its target more than a year ahead of schedule, the University will continue raising funds for student scholarships and faculty research, while establishing new goals in the months to come.
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Arts and Humanities
Conversations on COVID: Studying the pandemic through cartoons
October 28, 2021
A free lesson plan created by Brown Ph.D. student Michael Dorney uses political cartoons to teach high school students about American politics and society in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Science and Technology
Researchers show new strategy for detecting non-conformist particles called anyons
October 26, 2021
By observing how strange particles called anyons dissipate heat, researchers have shown that they can probe the properties of these particles in systems that could be relevant for topological quantum computing.
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News and Events
Brown to significantly expand financial aid and college access
October 25, 2021
Buoyed by endowment performance and strength in fundraising, the University will invest in three initiatives supporting undergraduates and Providence students.
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News and Events
Sternlicht Commons and Brown University Health & Wellness Center dedicated in weekend events
October 23, 2021
University leaders and community members gathered for a series of events, tours and receptions that celebrated an innovative new space committed to helping students thrive.
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Health and Medicine
Brown researchers, local partners aim to reduce disparities in COVID-19 vaccination, testing
October 22, 2021
New federal grants totaling $1.4 million are supporting a partnership between Brown, Progreso Latino, the Rhode Island Quality Institute and others to address barriers to testing and vaccination among high-risk populations.
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Science and Technology
New material could pave way for better, safer batteries
October 21, 2021
A material derived from trees could potentially replace liquid electrolytes in next-generation batteries.
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Health and Medicine
Physician-scientist Dr. Mukesh K. Jain appointed dean of medicine and biological sciences at Brown
October 20, 2021
A cardiovascular specialist and health care leader at University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Dr. Jain will lead biomedical research and education, and serve as Warren Alpert Medical School dean.
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News and Events
Students, family members from across the globe reunite in Providence for Brown’s Family Weekend
October 17, 2021
From forums on the Open Curriculum to an evening at the city’s renowned WaterFire, parents and loved ones joined their Brown students to get a taste of the University’s rich academic, cultural and civic life.
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News and Events
Brown to co-sponsor WaterFire Providence, host Family Weekend visitors for Oct. 16 lighting
October 14, 2021
As Saturday evening’s lighting approaches, Brown graduate and WaterFire founder Barnaby Evans shared insights on Brown’s Open Curriculum, and WaterFire’s powerful economic and cultural impact in Providence.
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News and Events
Fueled by soaring financial markets, Brown endowment return tops 50%
October 14, 2021
For Fiscal Year 2021, the endowment provided $194 million for student scholarships, scientific research and other strategic priorities — investments in education and research expected to grow markedly in the coming years.
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Health and Medicine
Fewer patients sought treatment for kidney failure in early months of COVID-19 pandemic
October 13, 2021
Substantially fewer patients initiated treatment for kidney failure in the beginning of the pandemic, a new study found, with Black patients in particular initiating treatment at significantly worse levels of kidney function.
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Social Sciences
Brown Class of 1991 Ph.D. graduate wins Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences
October 11, 2021
Guido Imbens, a Stanford University economist who received his Ph.D. from Brown in 1991, was recognized for his major role in analyzing causal relationships in the social sciences.
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Newly returned Moon rock samples chronicle the dying days of lunar volcanism
October 7, 2021
Jim Head, a planetary geologist at Brown, is working with colleagues from China to analyze rocks returned from the Chang’e 5 mission, which recently brought to Earth the first lunar samples retrieved in 45 years.
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News and Events
Photos: Staff and student celebrations at Brown offer chance to reconvene in community
October 7, 2021
Brown employees and students turned out by the hundreds for Staff Appreciation Day and a Student Welcome Celebration, respectively, as the University continues its return to near normal operations.
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Arts and Humanities
In exhibition at Brown, Wampanoag artist draws on tradition to celebrate Indigenous rights
October 7, 2021
On view at the Granoff Center for the Creative Arts, a belt made of quahog clam shells, deerskin and artificial sinew symbolizes and celebrates a United Nations resolution asserting the rights of Indigenous peoples worldwide.
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Science and Technology
Computational biology researcher at Brown wins prestigious early-career NIH award
October 5, 2021
With a $1.9 million Genomic Innovator Award, Ritambhara Singh will apply machine learning to better understand the genetic underpinnings of disease.
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Health and Medicine
Depression rates tripled and symptoms intensified during first year of COVID-19
October 5, 2021
A new study found that people with lower incomes and who experienced multiple COVID-related stressors were more likely to feel the toll of the pandemic, as socioeconomic inequities in mental health continue to widen.
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Science and Technology
Pioneering computer science professor Andy van Dam honored as Computer History Museum fellow
October 5, 2021
A virtual event celebrated the legendary Brown University computer science professor for his foundational work in computer graphics and five decades of influential teaching.
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