Dear colleagues,
I would like to provide you with some information on a few research and innovation related topics. The Committee on Research will be meeting on May 13 to continue to provide advice on how to best support your work. You can find your college’s representative(s) on the COR roster if you would like to offer suggestions on topics for us to explore. Below I offer a few updates and highlight some opportunities that may be of interest.
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION UPDATES
We are currently working on planning for a phased ramp-up of on-campus research activities, in consultation with the COVID-19 Response Team and others on campus who can help guide us in safely managing the ramp-up process.
The exact timing of this is still under consideration as we will need to ensure that proper training and processes are in place and that the public health situation allows for having more researchers on campus; however, we are working diligently to have the phased ramp-up start as soon as is appropriate.
A small group of associate deans for research from colleges with lab-intensive research units are now meeting weekly with colleagues from research compliance, environmental health and safety, risk management, and others on campus who can help draft the plan for review by the larger associate deans for research group, as well as areas on campus that will be impacted.
I will also be joining the department chair academic planning meeting next week to get their input. Once the draft plan is developed, it will be reviewed by the COVID-19 Response Team for approval prior to implementation. I look forward to sharing an update in the next few weeks!
The University Innovation Council is completing their review process for this year’s Explorer Challenge competition. The Ideation Review Council has taken a fresh look at previous campus input on how we could think differently and act differently to plan for Marquette’s future. As you can imagine, the experiences of the past months are compelling us to respond to the new environment by asking different questions.
The Ideation Review Council is collaborating with the COVID-19 Response Team leadership to get your input on what we have learned and questions we want the campus community to explore – we’ll be updating the ideas portal soon to reflect this new focus. Watch for more information soon in Marquette Today.
As a final update, the COR has recommended that we provide an online recognition of the Haggerty and Way Klingler research award recipients that we normally announce at the Distinguished Scholars Reception. We have collected video comments from the awardees, which we are currently editing. Watch Marquette Today for these. We are planning for an in-person event once we are all able to gather again.
COVID-19 RESEARCH
A team of faculty, led by Dr. Sandra Hunter, is launching the Marquette COVID-19 Research Initiative. The initiative will kick off with town hall meetings to bring together the Marquette community with the goal of collaborating across campus to answer some of the many questions around the pandemic and virus that touches all disciplines.
Faculty, staff and students are all invited to participate. Two town halls are scheduled so that as many as possible may attend.
- Tuesday, April 28, 10 a.m to 11 a.m. – Enter Town Hall via Teams.
- Wednesday, April 29, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Enter Town Hall via Teams.
The meetings will be recorded on Teams and posted later if you are not able to attend either session. Please see the newly created webpage where you may complete a questionnaire stating your interest and find possible collaborations: COVID-19 Research Initiative.
The Clinical and Translational Science Institute of Southeast Wisconsin (CTSI) is also coordinating a COVID-19 research initiative, focused on bring together Southeastern Wisconsin’s expansive network of basic scientists, clinical/translational investigators, clinicians, public health experts, community of stakeholders, and health system experts to join teams to improve health by translating research ideas to the clinic, community and health systems in an expedited manner.
Those interested in learning more, please see the CTSI COVID-19 Response. Dr. Paula Papanek or I can answer your questions about the CTSI efforts. Note that our Marquette-based initiative is designed to be complementary to the CTSI programming.
707 HUB
The 707 Hub has continued a robust series of programs remotely. Two upcoming events include:
- “Redo the Loo” Challenge presentations (April 29, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
To celebrate 100 years of innovation and collaboration with the Kohler Company, the “Redo the Loo Challenge” invites students to work together and transform the bathrooms in the 707 Hub! Over the course of the semester, students had a chance to go behind the scenes at the Kohler Co., work collaboratively with Kohler employees and fellow peers to develop new skills, expand their networks and reimagine the bathrooms in the 707 Hub.During this virtual event, four teams will present their final designs to leadership at Marquette and Kohler, and the winning design will be used to transform the restrooms. This is a closed event but if you would like to attend please email Megan Carver and Kelsey Otero at 707hub@marquette.edu to request access to join the event.
- Brewed Ideas Challenge (May 1, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
The Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Initiative in partnership with Brady Corporation are hosting this annual pitch competition virtually.The goal of the program is to “brew” innovative ideas and foster the entrepreneurial mindset on campus. Ten student finalists will pitch their ideas for a change to win their share of $21,000 in seed funding.
Join us for the live event and vote for your favorite idea as part of the audience choice award. Attendees must register via Eventbrite link to watch. RSVP online.