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BioFrontiers Chief Scientific Officer Leslie Leinwand, has been studying the motor protein, myosin, for 25 years. This important protein is responsible for making muscles contract, including one vital muscle: your heart. Leinwand recently won a $45,837 grant from the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation (CCF) to study the differences in the myosin mutations in adult and pediatric populations. She also plans to look at the effects of a small molecule drug on the pediatric versions of the protein in a test tube. This small molecule drug has promise for treating adults with heart failure.

Presented by CU Advocates, the CU Funding in Focus education forum at CU-Â鶹ӰԺ will help us build a network of informed constituents. By attending, you'll be better prepared to promote the university's educational, research and economic contributions, as well as raise awareness about the state's and CU's funding challenges.

People assigned to positions of power tend to dehumanize those in less powerful positions even when the roles are randomly assigned, according to a new study by the Â鶹ӰԺ. The study found that participants given more powerful roles in two experiments attributed fewer uniquely human traits — characteristics that distinguish people from other animals — to their peers who were given less powerful roles.

Interdisciplinary discovery doesn’t always happen in the lab. Sometimes it integrates technology and musicians in an ensemble setting to provide live interaction, as in the case of the Â鶹ӰԺ Laptop Orchestra (BLOrk). After computer science doctoral student Charles Dietrich and Associate Professor John Gunther of the College of Music met at a campus STEM poster presentation in the fall of 2012, the encounter led to new artistic collaboration through the College of Music’s BLOrk ensemble.

Thinking about joining the Peace Corps? Learn about the experience from Peace Corps volunteers who have served all over the world, during the Peace Corps Palooza on Monday, March 11, at 6 p.m. in the UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom. The event will include round table discussions, snacks, information sessions and a keynote speech from Ryan Van Duzer, a CU-Â鶹ӰԺ and Peace Corps alumnus who served in Honduras.

CU-Â鶹ӰԺ will celebrate "living well" by offering numerous activities promoting healthy lifestyle choices across campus March 11-15 during "Well U Week." The week of events is meant to bring an awareness to the many components of living a healthy lifestyle, including fitness, nutrition, spirituality, environmental awareness, financial stability and strength of community.

Jeannie and Jack Thompson have made an unprecedented commitment to the Jazz Studies program at the Â鶹ӰԺ -- building $1.6 million in combined gifts to trigger a new $2 million program endowment. To honor and recognize this transformational gift, the program will be renamed the Thompson Jazz Studies Program, as announced at yesterday’s annual Spring Swing big band concert. It is CU-Â鶹ӰԺ’s first named program.

Jeannie and Jack Thompson have made an unprecedented commitment to the Jazz Studies program at the Â鶹ӰԺ -- building $1.6 million in combined gifts to trigger a new $2 million program endowment. To honor and recognize this transformational gift, the program will be renamed the Thompson Jazz Studies Program, as announced at yesterday’s annual Spring Swing big band concert. It is CU-Â鶹ӰԺ’s first named program.

At first, Kisori Thomas had a difficult time acclimating to the campus climate at CU-Â鶹ӰԺ. Initially, other than her coursework, she wasn’t active outside the classroom. Realizing she wanted a more well-rounded education, experience and personal growth, she took a big step outside her comfort zone and began looking for student leadership and multicultural organizations to join. This also included studying abroad in Chicoutimi, Canada, for a five-week French intensive program.

It's not too late to find housing for fall. Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations is hosting a second Off-Campus Housing Fair on March 6, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the UMC Glenn Miller Ballrom. The fair is a convenient way to meet property managers and local landlords and collect information on 100s of available properties. Students will enjoy free pizza at noon and one lucky student will even win a new 40" LED TV for his/her next rental.