PackThePav - UIC Today - University of Illinois at Chicago

today.uic.edu

February 28

2018

Volume 37 / Number 23 today.uic.edu For the community of the University of Illinois at Chicago

#PackThePav Family, fun, free tuition at Flames game / pg. 5

Photo: UIC Creative and Digital Services

Ways to personalize your personal statement

Facebook / uicnews

2

Students, alumni push for higher ed funding

Twitter / uicnews

3

East Meets West highlights collaborations

6-7

YouTube / uicmedia

2 - student voice 4 - campus news 8 - calendar 10 - deaths 12 - sports Instagram / thisisuic & uicamiridis

2

UIC News | Wednesday, February 28, 2018

How to personalize your personal statement By Hoda Fakhari — [email protected] What are some of your strengths? What are you passionate about and how have you demonstrated commitments to those causes? These are some of the questions you are meant to think about when developing a personal statement for graduate and professional school applications. Some thoughts may immediately come to mind, but when it comes to translating those thoughts to the written word, it’s easy to get stuck. Personal statement workshops, such as those hosted by LAS Pre-Health Advising, provide students with guidance as they struggle to find words to fill a blank Word document. Here are some tips that

I gathered at the latest of such workshops. • Focus on describing how you have demonstrated the strengths you want the application committee to notice — don’t simply list those skills. • Identify key experiences that serve as highlights for your college career. Then extract concrete examples from those experiences that add to the story-like quality of your statement. • It’s OK to write about your background, but make sure you use events that occurred prior to college to paint a picture of who you are today and what you’re doing now. • You need to be comfortable speaking about everything in your essay at a

potential interview. So, if you’re considering describing a very personal event, make sure it is one that you would be willing to answer questions about. • Recognize that the personal statement is one component of your application and it’s unlikely that it will be the determining factor in your acceptance. However, it is still the only opportunity for you to introduce yourself on your terms and likely the component over which you have the most control. So, instead of viewing it as a burden, take advantage of it. The next LAS Pre-Health Advising personal statement workshop will be held March 12 from 2 to 3 p.m. in 850 University Hall.

Struggling to find the words for your personal statement for graduate or professional school? Check out a campus workshop.

Want to contribute a story? E-mail Christy Levy at [email protected]


today.uic.edu

NIH awards $4.6 million for chronic pain research

3

By Jackie Carey — [email protected] UIC has been awarded a $4.6 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to study the molecular neurobiology of chronic pain in patients with sickle cell disease and to develop potential new drug treatments. Characterized by irregularly shaped red blood cells, sickle cell disease is an inherited condition that affects approximately 100,000 Americans. The misshapen blood cells are less flexible than normal cells and do not pass through blood vessels easily, sometimes causing a blockage that slows or stops blood flow and prevents delivery of oxygen to nearby tissues and organs. Patients experience chronic pain, as well as episodes of acute pain that can result in hospitalization. While there have been many advances in managing the disease and acute pain crises, researchers still do not know much about how and why patients experience chronic pain. “Sickle cell patients are living longer and treatment has improved, but pain is still a major issue,” said principal investigator Z. Jim Wang, professor of pharmacology and pharmaceutics in the UIC College of Pharmacy. Wang and his colleagues have spent years studying pain, how it develops and how it’s treated, including ways to fight the addictive nature of some pain killers, and have developed an array of cellular markers and tests that make it easier to study pain in sickle cell disease.

The new funding will provide an opportunity for Wang to refine these tools and develop new therapeutic leads for treating chronic pain in sickle cell disease. One of the targets to be investigated is a class of protein kinases called PKCs. “We have studied each member of the PKC family and have identified three distinct isoforms of PKC that are likely involved in chronic pain,” Wang said. “We need to understand more about how these molecules work and what happens when they are activated in chronic pain, and we need to look for new therapeutic drugs.” Wang says he hopes to be able to identify various molecular mechanisms and explore ways to target one or more of these mechanisms for controlling pain in sickle cell disease. He says he is optimistic because the funding — a seven-year, R35 Outstanding Investigator Award — encourages “big ideas, not small conclusions.” “This type of funding is unique because it allows for a broad range of research ideas to be pursued simultaneously,” Wang said. “This will help us incorporate newly developed technologies into our study designs, for example, and expand in new directions.” According to the National Institutes of Health, R35 awards are meant to provide long-term support to an experienced investigator with an outstanding record of research productivity and en-

Z. Jim Wang, professor of pharmacology and pharmaceutics, is the lead investigator on a grant to study chronic pain in sickle cell patients. (Photo: Jenny Fontaine)

courage long-term projects of unusual potential. Co-investigator on the grant Dr. Robert Molokie said he hopes the research will fill a void in doctors’ understanding of sickle cell disease and one day translate into improved quality of life for his patients.

“Dr. Wang’s research on the basic science principles behind pain in sickle cell disease and our ability to take those findings to the clinic to improve our patients’ lives is exciting,” said Molokie, clinical associate professor of medicine in the UIC College of Medicine and the UI Health Sickle Cell Center.

Students, alumni push for higher ed funding By Christy Levy — [email protected] About 250 University of Illinois students, alumni, leaders and advocates will share their personal stories with state legislators Feb. 28 during the annual University of Illinois Day at the Capitol, organized by Illinois Connection, an advocacy network for the university. They will talk about how higher education has impacted their lives and the importance of state support for the university. UIC participants will head to the State Capitol in buses provided by UIC Undergraduate Student Government, then spend the afternoon speaking directly to legislators before participating in a higher education rally. “Alumni and students can share their story about how the University of

Illinois is making or has made a difference in their life and how important higher education is,” said Marissa Brewer, assistant vice president of alumni advocacy at the University of Illinois Alumni Alliance. UIC student Marvin Slaughter will speak during the rally. “Being able to go to the Capitol and tell our state legislators that this is an actual legitimate problem that needs a legitimate solution, that is just essential,” said Slaughter, a junior in political science and economics, and president of the UIC Student Advocacy Coalition. Slaughter is participating in his third University of Illinois Day at the Capitol this year. “Legislators hear a lot of information from a lot of sources but there’s

nothing more important that having a personal story and being able to put a face to the actual story,” he said. “We are the future of the state, of the country. We can say, ‘I am your future. Please invest in me.’” Participants will ask members of the Illinois General Assembly to provide a fiscal year 2019 state appropriation for the university of $681 million — a 5 percent increase from fiscal year 2015. They will also request a stable funding system, more financial aid for students, and additional funding to hire new faculty members and upgrade facilities. In recent years, students and alumni have participated in separate lobby days in Springfield, Brewer said, but the combined event will make the ex-

perience more impactful for participants. “Students will have the opportunity to meet some really engaged and amazing alumni from each of our universities, who have taken time out of their busy schedules to lobby for their alma mater, which is really cool to have our students see that family that they are going to graduate into,” Brewer said. “And it’s great for our alumni — they love talking to current students and learning about the university.” Students, alumni and other advocates who want to get involved but could not attend lobby day can visit the Illinois Connection website to contact local legislators at illinois connection.org

4


CAMPUS NEWS

State funding proposed for new U of I-led research center By University Relations A proposal by Gov. Bruce Rauner would provide $500 million in state funding to match private donations for a new statewide research enterprise led by the University of Illinois System that is being developed to accelerate innovation, job creation and economic growth. Funding to support the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) was included in a capital spending proposal for fiscal 2019 that Rauner outlined during his annual budget address to the Illinois legislature Feb. 14. He said the investment “could be the biggest spark ever to ignite our economic growth engine.” If approved, the state funding will go toward design and construction of the downtown Chicago innovation center, which will be home to world-class research and the hub of a new initiative known as the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) that would spread its impact across the state. State funding, through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, would match private donations that also are being sought to build and operate the new innovation institute. U of I President Tim Killeen said fundraising is underway, including discussions with potential donors and with businesses that could partner with the innovation network on research and

workforce development. “Research discovery is the springboard for innovation that is now essential to create new businesses, new jobs and economic growth,” Killeen said. “I am grateful to Gov. Rauner for his support and hope the legislature will join him in helping build this new bridge to progress.” Plans were announced in October for DPI, where world-class researchers will work side-by-side with students and businesses to foster nextgeneration innovation and workforce development. Work is currently underway on an impleArtist’s rendering of the Discovery Partners Institute, which will house researchers, students and business mentation plan that will partners to foster innovation and workforce development. establish a timetable for opening and other deand industry. When it was announced, top faculty in agriculture, healthcare, tails of the institute. officials said DPI also hopes to attract computing and other critical fields from DPI will be developed on a donated government support, such as the capital the U of I System and partner universisite along the Chicago River, and will funding proposed by Rauner. ties that already include the University of operate principally through private donaThe new institute will bring together Chicago and Northwestern University. tions and partnerships with business

CAMPUS CONVERSATION The latest Campus Conversation, sponsored by the Office of the Provost, will focus on Chicago’s health disparities. The event takes place from noon to 1:30 p.m. March 12 in the Cardinal Room, Student Center East. Amanda Lewis, professor of African American studies and director of the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy, will chair a discussion with Wayne Giles, dean of the School of Public Health; Angela Odoms-Young, associate professor of kinesiology and nutrition, and Robert Winn, associate vice chancellor and Cancer Center director.

Online voting for student leaders will take place April 10–11. For more information or to apply, visit dos.uic.edu/vote

WANT TO BE A STUDENT LEADER? Students who want to represent the student body and make a difference on campus can become candidates for student leadership positions. Election application packets are available for: • student member of the Board of Trustees • president, vice president and assembly member of Undergraduate Student Government • student member of the UIC Senate

STROLL THROUGH THE GARDEN Tour the city’s only medicinal plant garden Friday when the College of Pharmacy hosts the 2014 Garden Walk and Lesniewicz Memorial Lecture. The event will feature tours of the Dorothy Bradley Atkins Medicinal Plant Garden from 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3 p.m. The lecture by Memory Elvin-Lewis, biology professor at Washington University, on “Understanding Traditional Healing Plants of Tropical Rainforests in Northern South America,” begins at noon in 32 Pharmacy. The garden has more than 200 species of medicinal plants, including black cohosh, purple coneflower and foxglove, used to treat ailments around the world. APPLY FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS UIC Student Affairs is accepting applications for more than 30 competitive scholarships open to students across all colleges and academic disciplines. The scholarships award up to $5,000

Submit campus news items at today.uic.edu/campus-news

for the 2018–2019 academic year. Information about each opportunity and applications are available through UIC SnAP, the campus-wide scholarship management system. Visit https://uic. academicworks.com and complete the general application before addressing criteria specific to each scholarship. The application deadline is April 2. RETIRING OR SEPARATING FROM THE UNIVERSITY? UIC employees may be eligible to

defer a portion of their vacation and/or compensable sick leave payouts to their University 403(b) and/or State 457 retirement accounts when separating or retiring from the university. To defer a payout, contact University Payroll and Benefits (UPB), at least 60 days before the last day of employment. Contact UPB at [email protected] or 312-996-7200, or visit the office at 809 S. Marshfield Ave. 1st floor. For more information, visit bit.ly/2hn8Lmn


today.uic.edu

5

Family, fun, free tuition at #PackThePav By Francisca Corona — [email protected] Junior Aasiya Mufti showed up at the UIC Pavilion Sunday ready for a win, but not for a $15,000 check. “I was really hyped,” said the pre-nursing student about #PackThePav Family Day 2018, where she cheered alongside more than 3,000 guests. The event celebrated the men’s basketball team’s final game of the regular season; honored two graduating players, Tai Odiase and Clint Robinson; and offered family friendly activities and specials like meet-and-greets with mascot Sparky Jr., face painting and UIC giveaways. “It was fun, amazing and intense,” Mufti said. In the end, the Flames fell to the Wright State Raiders, but Mufti still celebrated a victory of her own: she won paid tuition for the 2018-19 academic year, thanks to a #PackThePav raffle sponsored by UIC Student Affairs. The award amounts to $15,000. “I was so shocked,” said Mufti, who

added that she’s grateful for the #PackThePav experience and opportunity. “I’m in a position where I don’t have to worry as much about finances next year as I had before, but I’ll keep working hard and focus on school.” Support from fans like Mufti fueled the Flames for a close finish. “It was a tremendous college basketball game in every sense,” head men’s basketball coach Steve McClain said. “I thank everyone for coming out to support our team. We felt the energy in the building all day long.” More events and opportunities like #PackThePav may be possible for UIC fans, family and friends in the future. “It was a smashing success,” said Marcus Betts, visiting senior director of community and corporate relations. “The hope is that we’re able to do creative things like that and continue to collaborate to make those types of opportunities available.”

Photo: UIC Creative and Digital Services

J. Rex Tolliver, vice chancellor for student affairs; raffle winners Itzel Elizarraraz and Aasiya Mufti, and Chancellor Michael Amiridis. (Photo: UIC Creative and Digital Services)

Photos: Amod Mahadik

6


East Meets West is a collaboration of Provost Susan Poser and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Robert Barish. This monthly column focuses on UIC faculty and students from the east and west sides of campus engaged in interdisciplinary research.

meets

Using smart home devices for health By Christy Levy — [email protected] Smart home devices can make life easier around the house, but what if they could also improve one’s health? Two UIC researchers are collaborating on a project that examines the use of smart home devices for health promotion among older adults. Smart home devices, such as Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home, allow users to speak to the device to request information, such as the news and weather, or give commands, such as playing music.

“PEOPLE TEND TO USE THESE DEVICES AS A PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO MANAGE THEIR LIFE, BUT THE FUNCTIONS COULD HELP PROMOTE THEIR LIFESTYLE FOR BETTER HEALTH.” Jessie Chin in the College of Applied Health Sciences and Kelly Quinn in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences want to see how the functions of these devices could be expanded. “People tend to use these devices as a

personal assistant to manage their life, but the functions could help promote their lifestyle for better health,” said Chin, research assistant professor of biomedical and health information sciences. The simplicity of voice activation reduces a barrier to the technology for older adults, Quinn said. “People who are older don’t have the same mental maps as younger people when it comes to technology, and voice-activated personal assistants get over the hurdle of access to technology,” said Quinn, clinical assistant professor of communication. “There’s an ease of use and access that makes them such an interesting technology.” These devices may have potential to create health benefits, too, particularly in terms of serving as memory aids to compensate for cognitive aging, Chin said. “People could add reminders to serve as memory aids – they could tell the devices where they stored their keys and ask them later, or set a reminder to take medications with the time and date,” she said. The devices can also be utilized to manage lifestyle. “Older adults tend to have sedentary behavior, so they could set reminders to take a walk regularly, for example.”

Kelly Quinn studies social implications of technology use. (Photo: Jenny Fontaine)

Jessie Chin, a researcher in the College of Applied Health Sciences, will examine how smart home devices, such as Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home, could be used by older adults to serve as memory aids and improve health. (Photo: Jenny Fontaine)

Quinn, who focuses her research on the social implications of technology use, plans to examine how the devices could be used to enhance social well-being and reduce loneliness among older adults. “Social connection is really important at older ages,” Quinn said. “We know that when older adults are disconnected and lonely, there is a greater incidence of cognitive decline, depression and early mortality. “There are some interesting things that happen when we age — we retire and lose social connections, we lose spouses and friends who have died. There’s mobility limitations and higher incidences of chronic disease. All of these things are connected to the decline in the ability to connect with people.” Smart home devices could help improve quality of life, Quinn said. “We haven’t stretched these devices as far as we need to stretch them,” she said. “But these are, in many ways, cognitive technologies. You can set social reminders – your niece’s birthday or a friend’s anniversary. You can set a memory reminder to recall that certain things happened on this day. Or that you haven’t talked to your cousin in a while and should send them a message.

Are you involved in an east-west collaboration? Email [email protected] and we may feature your story!

“That level of engagement could be a really nice way to promote social interaction.” Chin will present some preliminary findings with Catherine Burns and Yeti Li, collaborators from the University of Waterloo, at the Cognitive Aging Conference in Atlanta in May. Their collaboration formed after Chin attended an East+West Research Mixer during the fall semester. She was talking about her research interests with another professor in communication, Zizi Papacharissi, who connected her with Quinn. “I focus on how the physical health of older adults can be improved through the medium of technologies,” Chin said, “and Kelly has expertise on the social and communication aspects. It’s a good complement that we can work together.” The next East+West Research Mixers will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. April 12 in the Innovation Center, 1240 W. Harrison St. “We’re a big university, so these mixers really create these smaller communities,” Quinn added. “It’s helping us leverage the resources that the university has to solve some of these larger problems.”


today.uic.edu

7

Multidisciplinary focus on health studies

The Integrated Health Studies major provides training ranging from basic research methods to ethics in health sciences. The curriculum was developed using the educational and research expertise from the College of Applied Health Sciences and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. (Photo: Kipling Swehla)

By Francisca Corona — [email protected] From economics and ethics to biology and psychology, determinants of health fall under a broad range of categories. “Health is complex,” said Demetra John, associate dean for academic and student affairs in the College of Applied Health Sciences. ”So, anyone who wants to practice anywhere in the health-related field really needs to understand it from a multidisciplinary perspective.” A curriculum developed using the educational and research expertise from the College of Applied Health Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Science lets students do just that. Implemented in fall 2016, the Integrated Health Studies major teaches undergraduates to think about and understand the ways in which cultural, societal, behavioral and environmental factors impact human health and disease. “[The degree program] is looking at those aspects of health relations more holistically,” said Miquel Gonzalez-Meler,

professor of biological sciences and associate dean for student academic affairs in LAS. Gonzalez-Meler explained that LAS brings “the economics, social, human and biological aspects,” while AHS has “the human applications of that knowledge in a specific way — internships and things of the like.” The degree program consists of relevant core content that spans subjects such as life sciences, natural sciences, health economics, social sciences and the humanities. The major, which is jointly supported by the departments of biological sciences and psychology, also allows students to focus on one of two concentrations: health science or behavioral health. “Both concentrations have a fair amount of flexibility of what students can take,” said Michael Ragozzino, professor and head of psychology. He added that the behavioral health track includes courses related to developmental and community psychology, and basic research methods, among other

topics. The health and science concentration offers courses that cover Mendelian and molecular genetics, neuroscience, developmental biology, biochemistry, mammalian psychology and more. “The IHS program provides a really exciting, new option to undergraduates who have a broad interest in human health-related studies,” said Janet Richmond, professor and head of biological sciences. “I think this is a great alternative to the really highly popular degree programs offered by biology.” Examples of other available courses include “Ethics, Law and Professionalism in Health Sciences,” “Nutrition,” “Health and the Public,” “Human Anatomy and Physiology,” “Disability in U.S. Society” and “Physics in Modern Medicine.” The degree is designed to prepare students for life after graduation. “We really think that this degree will broaden the perspective of all of our students, no matter what field they go into, and that they’re going to bring that

broader perspective to either their employment after their bachelor’s degree or to their postgraduate studies,” John said. Graduates of the Integrated Health Studies degree program can enter the job market in a variety of health-related professions — as health care administrators, sales specialists, health educators, laboratory technicians, patient care advocates and more. The major also allows undergraduates to complete their prerequisite course requirements for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and a number of other professional health and graduate programs. “It’s a progressive degree: it’s modern, it’s the direction we should really be looking,” John said. Undergraduates must take “Introduction to Integrated Health Sciences,” (AHS 200) to declare the major. For more information about degree requirements or to contact advisors, visit the Integrated Health Studies website ihs.uic.edu

8


CALENDAR

MORE CAMPUS EVENTS AT today.uic.edu

THROUGH MARCH 3

FEB. 28

EXHIBIT

WEBINAR

FÉLIX CANDELA’S CONCRETE SHELLS: AN ENGINEERED ARCHITECTURE FOR MÉXICO AND CHICAGO Gallery 400 exhibit curated by Alexander Eisenschmidt, associate professor of architecture. Originated by Juan Ignacio del Cueto with contributions by Lorelei Stewart, the exhibit highlights the work of Félix Candela, one of the most prolific architects of the 20th century. Gallery400.uic.edu

FEB. 28

INTIMATE APPAREL

THE MONSTER, THE BRIDE AND THE MOVIES: THE CULTURAL ICONOGRAPHY OF FRANKENSTEIN

MARCH 1

SEMINAR

UIC Theatre production of Lynn Nottage’s work, directed by Lydia Diamond. At the turn of the 20th century, lonely black New York seamstress Esther fabricates dreams with each stitch. Stuffing her cash savings into a quilt along with bundles of love letters she can’t read, Esther stockpiles hope for the future. But will her dreams unravel against the harshness of reality? March 1–3: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 3: 2 p.m.

Webinar presented by the Survey Research Lab. Noon–1 p.m.

FEB. 28–MARCH 3

UIC THEATRE PRODUCTION

SURVEY RESPONSE RATES: USES AND MISUSES

SPECIAL EVENT

Lecture by Marsha Cassidy, senior lecturer in English. 4–6 p.m. Institute for the Humanities Lower level, Stevenson Hall

RACISM AS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE

MARCH 1

SPECIAL EVENT THE KERNER REPORT: 50 YEARS LATER Keynote speaker Fred Harris, an original member of the Kerner Commission, which was tasked with examining the condition of cities in the aftermath of urban riots in 1967. The commission’s report marks a pivotal moment in the changing dynamics of U.S. cities and analysis of the role of race as a division in America. 9–11 a.m. Illinois Room, Student Center East

Panel discussion sponsored by the School of Public Health Alumni Board. Keynote speaker Camara Jones, senior fellow of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute and Cardiovascular Research Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine. 6–7:30 p.m. School of Public Health Auditorium sphalumniseries.eventbrite.com

MARCH 8

MARCH 8

AN EVENING WITH ANA NAVARRO

HEALTH HUMANITIES LIBRARY DEDICATION

SPECIAL EVENT

Ana Navarro, a Republican commentator on CNN and recurring panelist on “The View,” discusses the country’s social and political climate. Sponsored by the Student Activities Board.

SPECIAL EVENT

6:30–8 p.m. UIC Forum

Recognizing former UIC professor Suzanne Poirier, visionary leader in building a humanities presence in health sciences education, and the RIC Donnelley Ethics Program for the gift of their collections.

Students free with i-card Employees and the public can buy tickets for $25 at go.uic.edu/AnaNavarro18

4–5:30 p.m. College of Medicine Faculty Alumni Lounge 1819 W. Polk St.

Send information about campus events at today.uic.edu/submit-an-event


today.uic.edu

9

Sleep apnea increases risks in Type 2 diabetes patients By Sharon Parmet — [email protected] People with Type 2 diabetes who have moderate-to-severe sleep apnea and hypertension are three times more likely to experience diabetes-related complications, including neuropathy, retinopathy and coronary artery disease, according to a new study in the Journal of Diabetes Research. The researchers, led by Sirimon Reutrakul, associate professor of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism in the College of Medicine, found that the increase in complications among this population may be influenced by the presence of hypertension, which is also associated with both Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that affects about 30 million individuals in the United States and is linked to numerous health problems, including insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. In sleep apnea, breathing is interrupted. These pauses can last several seconds and can occur 30 times or more in an hour. The common treatment for sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure device, or CPAP, that is worn during sleep and forces air into the lungs to prevent breathing pauses. But longterm adherence to the device is poor and many patients simply stop using it.

Type 2 diabetes affects roughly 9.4 percent of Americans and more than 366 million people worldwide. People with Type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or are resistant to its effects. They must closely monitor their blood glucose throughout the day and, when medication fails, inject insulin. The researchers wanted to explore the relationship between sleep apnea and diabetes-related complications in people with Type 2 diabetes and see if they could determine the role of hypertension in the development of these complications. A total of 131 patients with Type 2 diabetes were screened for obstructive sleep apnea. Seventy-five percent of participants had sleep apnea, and about 40 percent had moderate-to-severe sleep apnea. About half of participants had at least one diabetes-related complication, and 70 percent had hypertension. The researchers found that compared with participants with mild or no sleep apnea, those with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea and hypertension were three times more likely to have diabetes-related complications. Reutrakul explained that hypertension, a known consequence of sleep apnea, could have negative effects on tissues of the body by restricting blood flow and oxygen through the constriction of vessels, as

Sirimon Reutrakul, associate professor of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism in the College of Medicine. (Photo: Jenny Fontaine)

well as oxidative stress. “These effects could be major contributing factors to diabetes-related complications like neuropathy.” “Treating sleep apnea in people with Type 2 diabetes could help significantly reduce the risk for diabetes-related complications, but more and larger-scale studies are needed to determine if using a CPAP device can reduce the risk of these complications,” Reutrakul said. “We also didn’t tease out differences in complication rates by the degree of hypertension. Further studies could look to see if worsening

hypertension among this population was linked to higher complication rates.” Dr. Nantaporn Siwasaranond, Dr. Hataikarn Nimitphong, Areesa Manodpitipong, Sunee Saetung and Ammarin Thakkinstian of Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok and Dr. Naricha Chirakalwasan of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, are co-authors on the paper. The research was supported by a grant from the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, and the Endocrine Society of Thailand.

10


DEATHS

Doris Graber Political Science Doris Graber, 94, professor emeritus of political science, died Feb. 17 at her Evanston home. Graber, a founding member of the UIC department of political science, was a pioneer in the study of political communication and public opinion, and she was widely considered an international leader in the field. Some of her most influential works involved the effect of public opinion on the presidency and foreign policy, and the role of the media in American politics and political psychology. Survey research techniques she developed continue to be used extensively in con-

UIC News Staff

Published on Wednesdays during the academic year (monthly during summer) by: Office of Public and Government Affairs University of Illinois at Chicago 601 S. Morgan St., 1320 UH (MC 288) Chicago, IL 60607-7113 Editorial:. . . . . . . . . . . . . (312) 996-0662 Advertising: . . . . . . . . . (312) 996-3456 Fax: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (312) 996-3754 Associate Editor Christy Levy — [email protected] Senior Executive Director, Public Affairs Sherri McGinnis González — [email protected] Editorial Writer Francisca Corona — [email protected]

temporary political science research. At the time of her retirement in Aug. 2012, she was among the top 100 most cited scholars in political science. “Her contributions as a scholar, mentor, administrator, colleague and friend are beyond measure,” said Evan McKenzie, professor and head of political science. “I don’t know how anybody could live a fuller life. Everyone who knew her will miss her.” Graber published 18 books, many in multiple editions and languages, and hundreds of book chapters, articles and book reviews. Her book Processing Politics: Learning from Television in the Internet Age was awarded the 2003 Goldsmith Book Prize by the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University’s Kennedy

Visual Communication & Design Anna Dworzecka — [email protected] Associate Graphic Designer Megan Strand — [email protected] Editorial Associate Carley Mostar — [email protected] Farooq Chaudhry — [email protected] Editorial Intern Jessica Larocque — [email protected] Photography Jenny Fontaine — [email protected]

today.uic.edu

School of Government. Among her numerous professional scholarly accomplishments are career recognition awards from organizations such as the International Society of Political Psychology, the National Communication Association and the American Political Science Association. The latter group’s political communication section bestows an annual award in her honor that recognizes the best book published on political communication in the last ten years. Graber was recognized for superior teaching and research at UIC when she was named a University Scholar in 2003. She held several departmental administrative roles during her career and served in various committee and service capacities for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the university. She was hired by UIC as a lecturer in 1963, when the school was based at Navy Pier, and promoted to assistant professor in 1964, associate professor in 1967 and professor in 1970. She previously held appointments at Northwestern University, University of Chicago and North Park College. Graber was an avid skier, world traveler and mother of five children. “I love my work, my students,” she said in a 2003 UIC News profile. “I love to tell my women students you can have it all.” She is remembered by colleagues and students for bringing scholarly distinction and visibility to campus, while being a department pillar and role model.

Doris Graber

“She was smart, gracious, leader and mentor to generations of students, a number of whom have gone on to be university faculty around the world,” said Dick Simpson, professor of political science. “She helped make UIC and political science what they are today.” She is survived by her children Dr. Lee Graber, Dr. Tom Graber, Jack Graber, Dr. Jim Graber, and Dr. Susan Graber Robbins; 14 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Dr. Tom Graber. Private family services have been held. Plans for a campus memorial will be announced later. Memorial donations may be made to the Doris A. Graber Endowed Graduate Fellowship, University of Illinois Foundation, 601 S. Morgan St., 2503 University Hall, MC 002, Chicago, Illinois, 60607 or online at give.uic.edu


today.uic.edu

11

Conversation with Yara Shahidi

Actress, activist speaks at UIC for Black History Month By Farooq Chaudhry — [email protected] At 18 years old, actress and activist Yara Shahidi works 60hour weeks on set for the Emmyand Golden Globe-nominated TV show “Black-ish,” and its spinoff “Grown-ish.” And on top of that, she’s also leading an initiative called Eighteen x ’18 to mobilize young voters for the midterm elections. Shahidi spoke to a crowd of UIC students, employees and guests at the UIC Forum Feb. 19 as the keynote speaker for Black History Month. Her roles as both an actress and activist intersect at her goal to make a positive contribution in the world. “All the projects that I invest my time in have to have a certain level of nuance to make sure that it is adding to the conversation at large,” she said. In her character “Zoey” on “Black-ish” and “Grown-ish,” Shahidi has the ability to portray the complex realities of identity and growth. “What I really appreciate about the show [‘Black-ish’] is that characters come in with their own bias. In no way are any of the characters perfect, or even close to perfect. But I love the

idea that they can be progressive and liberal and really open in some areas of their life, and we still see that they have growth in other areas,” she said. “I think it’s so important to have those more nuanced conversations because it isn’t as clear-cut or clean-cut as we think it is. [In ‘Grown-ish’] I’m really looking forward to going even deeper in addressing college culture.” Her initiative Eighteen x ’18 is an extension of her goal to contribute to society in socially meaningful ways. “Eighteen x ’18 was also realizing that the themes of the (2016) presidential election were not new,” she said. “Xenophobia isn’t new. Racism isn’t new. Discrimination isn’t new. Sexism isn’t new. Eighteen x ’18 was really a call to response.” She credits the late African-American novelist, poet and social critic James Baldwin as one of her inspirations. “James Baldwin is a huge influence for me. I started my obsession when I read the short story ‘Sonny’s Blues,’” Shahidi said. “It’s really beautiful because that story highlights community,

Photo: UIC Creative & Digital Services

Actress Yara Shahidi (center) meets students backstage at the UIC Forum. (Photo: Amod Mahadik)

and it really highlights even why humanitarian interests are such a passion of mine because it was talking about the idea of wanting to reach for the stars, but realizing our possibilities have been limited; not by our own desire, or want, or lack of trying, but because of the barriers society put on us.” Though Shahidi’s words and wisdom were well beyond her

years, she also showed off her more playful and amiable side by discussing what hair products she uses, accepting a birthday card from a student and taking questions from children in the audience. Shahidi plans to attend Harvard University next fall, after deferring her acceptance this year. At Harvard, she plans on majoring in African Ameri-

Photo: Amod Mahadik

can studies and social science. Her plans after graduation are just as impactful and meaningful as the work she is doing now. “After college I’m of course looking forward to continuing acting and such, but I’m really looking forward to like moving to D.C. and possibly working in the nonprofit space,” she said.

Photo: UIC Creative & Digital Services

“All the projects that I invest my time in have to have a certain level of nuance to make sure that it is adding to the conversation at large,” says Yara Shahidi, who plays “Zoey” on the ABC comedy “Black-ish” and its spinoff, “Grown-ish.”

12


SPORTS

Flames falter in regular season finale By Dan Yopchick — [email protected] Wright State got 23 points from Loudon Love and 21 from Grant Benzinger in an 88-81 win over UIC the regular season finale Sunday at the UIC Pavilion. Love also had 15 rebounds, and Everest Winchester contributed 19 points. UIC will enter the Horizon League tournament as the No. 3 seed versus No. 6 Milwaukee at 4 p.m. March 4 in Detroit. Purchase women’s and men’s game tickets at bit.ly/2FAeRf0. Use the code “UIC” for single-game tickets and the code “FLAMES” for all-session passes. The Flames finished third in the Horizon League standings with a 12-6 record. Before Sunday’s game, UIC honored seniors Tai Odiase and Clint Robinson, as well as senior manager Mike Kelly, for their contributions to the men’s basketball program. Dikembe Dixson led with 19 points. Tai Odiase poked the ball away on a Raiders 2-on-1 break, and the Flames turned the steal into a Tarkus Ferguson layup to go up 7-4 in the first minutes. Later, Jordan Blount made a scrappy play to track down an offensive rebound, drove while avoiding contact and made a layup of his own. Three players — Dixson, Ferguson and Wright State’s Benzinger — each reached double digits in the scoring column before the eight-minute mark. They com-

bined to go 6-for-8 beyond the arc in the first 12 minutes. Love scored eight of Wright State’s final 10 first-half points, while UIC struggled to control the defensive glass down the stretch. Though the Flames’ lead got as high as 14, the Raiders went into the locker room down by only eight. Wright State went on an 8-1 run over the first two minutes of the second half. Though Marcus Ottey had a three-point play following a layup on a nice stepthrough move, Wright State continued attacking the paint and tied the game at 55 moments later. After the Raiders took a one-point lead, the Flames held WSU without a field goal for four minutes. Dixson turned up the offense with six straight UIC points, and the home team reclaimed a five-point lead. The Raiders took control of the middle stages of the half. Dominique Matthews halted that momentum in a flash with back-to-back threes. The teams traded the lead until the final minute. Wright State forced the Flames to defend an extra-long possession by grabbing an offensive rebound and milking the shot clock until Everett Winchester made a short jumper. The Flames turned the ball over, and the Raiders got the dagger on a shot with one second on the shot clock.

Marcus Ottey goes up for a layup. (Photo: Steve Woltmann)

Women’s basketball preps for tournament By Jenn Zoellick — [email protected] The women’s basketball team will play their first game in the 2018 Little Caesars Horizon League Championship at 11 a.m. Friday in Detroit. The Flames (8-21, 1-17 Horizon League) fell, 80-53, to Wright State (219, 12-6 Horizon League) Sunday in the final matchup of the regular season. The Flames honored seniors Gabryelle Johnson and Teodora Zagorac for their careers at UIC before the start of the game. Taylor Toney closed out the regular season in style with her fifth double-double of the season, leading the Flames with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Toney also helped spread the ball around with five assists. The Flames won the tipoff, and Toney found an open lane to drive in a layup for the game’s first bucket. Wright State found its first points at the free throw line and built a 16-6 lead off a 12-0 run. The Flames committed seven turnovers in that span. Kara Wilson sunk a short jumper to end the Raiders’ streak, but the Flames faced a 16-9 deficit at the end of the

FLAMES @ HOME Sunday, March 4 Women’s gymnastics vs. Michigan State 2 p.m. / UIC Pavilion

The Flames honored Gabryelle Johnson and Teodora Zagorac. (Photo: Steve Woltmann)

first 10 minutes. The Flames ended the first quarter with 10 turnovers, seven were also Wright State steals. The Flames outscored the Raiders, 15-12, in the second quarter to end the first half in striking distance, 28-24. The Flames went 1-for-10 in the first seven minutes of the half, allowing the Raiders to go on a 9-0 run, 44-29. UIC

finished the third quarter 2-for-15, while Wright State poured in 23 points to run away with a 51-32 lead heading into the final quarter. The Flames had their best offense in the fourth quarter, netting 21 points, but the visitors had their best quarter as well with 29 points, giving the Raiders the 80-53 win.

Men’s gymnastics vs. University of Minnesota 2 p.m. / UIC Pavilion Tuesday, March 6 Baseball vs. Northwestern 5:35 p.m. / Curtis Granderson Stadium

MORE SPORTS AT uicflames.com