Notices and Announcements

The Notices and Announcements section is provided as a service to the WSU community for sharing events such as lectures, trainings, and other highly transactional types of information related to the university experience. Information provided and opinions expressed may not reflect the understanding or opinion of WSU. Accuracy of the information presented is the responsibility of those who submitted it. The self-uploaded posts are reviewed for compliance with state statutes and ethics guidelines but are not edited for spelling, grammar, or clarity.

Recent Submissions

Don’t miss a great evening of laughs with “Charles Hall & Friends,” Saturday, April 6, as part of WSU’s Spring Family Weekend! Tickets are $32, plus ticket fees, and are on sale now through TicketsWest.

Charles Hall, Jr. started comedy in Seattle, WA in 2019 and since then he has headlined and featured on shows throughout the country. He has performed at many prestigious venues such as the Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory. Recently, he has served as a featured act for comics such as Anthony Jeselnik, Hassan Minhaj, David Lucas, Hans Kim, Mick Foley, Chris Porter, Adrienne Iapalucci, Brendan Schuab, Martin Amini, and more. In 2021, he was voted one of Spokane’s Funniest Comedians. He is known for his unique perspective on life, everyday experiences and being a dad. With over 60K followers and over 2 million likes on his social media pages, he’s a rising comic you don’t want to miss.

Charles will be joined by Harry Riley, Monica Nevi, and Phillip Kopczynski.

The Northwest Regional Meeting (NORM) of the American Chemical Society provides opportunities for professionals in academia, government, and the private sector to present world class research and engage in and advance innovative ideas. The 78th Northwest Regional Meeting and Awards will be held on the campus of Washington State University in Pullman from June 23–26.

Being that chemistry has grown to be a more multidisciplinary science, instead of traditional program tracks found at national conferences (i.e., organic, inorganic, analytical, physical), we are using broad strokes to blur the lines between the traditional disciplines with the meeting theme of “Breaking Borders: Building Bonds.” We are looking to building a conference where there is cross-talk between chemists, biologists, physicists, engineers, educators, scientists, agricultural workers, etc. If you feel you can contribute to our program, please submit an abstract or plan on attending.

Visit the NORM website to find a list of events, the programming tracks, and planned symposia (norm2024.org/program) open for submissions.

The deadline to submit an abstract is Monday, April 1 (11:59 p.m.).

Researchers at Washington State University want to find out more about the relationship between self-compassion and health outcomes in children and adolescents. This study might be a good fit for your child if they are between 10 and 17 years old and want to participate in research. We are looking for youth who have persistent pain problems (like headaches, stomachaches, or muscle pains) and youth who do not have pain problems and are in good health.

Young people who participate in this study will complete an online survey (60 min.) where they will answer questions about their experiences with pain and how they respond to it. They will also answer questions about their socio-emotional functioning and feelings of self-compassion. See our flyer for more details. Young people who participate will receive a $10 Amazon gift card.

To have your child take part in this study or for more information, complete the pre-screener or contact Shanna Sonnier at health.research@wsu.edu. This research study, IRB #20200, has been approved by the Washington State University (WSU) IRB.

Registration is open for the Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC) on April 2!

A partnership between Washington State University and University of Idaho, the event is open to the WSU community and all gender identities who seek to support and empower women in leadership.

Join us to celebrate our differences, build common ground, and create an empowered community of professional colleagues! Register online.

Learn more about the event at uidaho.edu/wlc.

We hope to see you there!

Support your colleagues and peers in the Academic Showcase poster session that celebrates the achievements of faculty, staff, and graduate students engaged in WSU’s central mission: the advancement of scholarship, research, and the arts.

Graduate students who have entered the competitive portion through GPSA will present their original research, scholarship, and/or creative work while competing for $9,600 in awards.

9 a.m.–noon in the CUB Senior Ballroom
WSU Pullman

Questions?
showcase.wsu.edushowcase@wsu.edu, 509-335-6674

A closing reception for the show “Berehynia: Women Keepers of the Flame: Recent Works by Two Ukrainian Artists” will be held on Wednesday, March 27, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the atrium at Gallery 3 of the Fine Arts Building on the Pullman campus. Refreshments will be served. The public is invited.

Recent works by two Pullman-area Ukrainian refugee artists, Olga Hrytsiuk and Ivanka Petrukha, are featured in the show.

“Traditional Ukrainian motifs that are emblematic of Ukrainian folk art form the basis of our multi-media works. These motifs are part of the cultural heritage, the DNA, of Ukraine. And in this show, we interpret those motifs through our own prism of seeing the world. With our exhibition we want to introduce people to a small part of Ukrainian culture,” says Ivanka Petrukha, a refugee artist from Lutsk, Ukraine.

Olga Hrytsiuk, a refugee artist and art therapist from the Ole-Art studio in Lutsk, adds, “Now millions of Ukrainians have dispersed over the world and they do not know when they will return home, or if they will be able to return home at all. Each of those who left their home carries their own culture and all Ukrainian women, whether in the diaspora or in Ukraine, are Berehynia — those who maintain and protect Ukrainian traditions and culture. We explore this concept through this show, ‘Berehynia: Women Keepers of the Flame: Recent Works by Two Ukrainian Artists.'”

The Office of Research Working Group on Arts & Humanities continues its series of Interdisciplinary Dialogues to welcome conversations around a common theme across units. Three presenters — Samuel Ginsburg (SLCR), Jeannie Shinozuka (SLCR), and Bibhushana Poudyal (English) — will briefly share their approach to the topic “Borders and Bridges” and then will engage in informal conversation (moderated by M.A. Miller) with audience members about their related work and interests.

This second dialogue will be held March 27 in the Bundy Reading Room on the Pullman campus and via Zoom, 5–7 p.m., and refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP online and we will follow up with a calendar invite and Zoom information if requested.

Contact the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships with any questions.

Dr. Chathuri Kombala — post-doctoral research associate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) — will be visiting WSU Spokane for the SPRC Seminar Series. Her seminar entitled “Profiling functional rhythmicity using chemical biology approaches” will be in person in the Spokane Center for Clinical Research and Simulation room 250 and through Zoom on Tuesday, April 23, 12:10–1 p.m.

Chathuri Kombala currently works as a chemical biology post-doctoral research associate at PNNL. She received her BS from University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, and her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Arizona in 2020. As a member of WSU-PNNL joint program in microbiome science, she developed and utilized chemical biology tools to assess the functional rhythmicity in gut microbiome and host peripheral organs. Her current research focus is to understand the link between the microbiome and host circadian rhythms using multi-omics and chemical biology approaches.

We look forward to you joining us in person (SCCRS 250) or through Zoom!

Questions/Zoom link? Contact Michelle Sanchez at michelle.r.sanchez@wsu.edu.

“‘What is the Meaning of this Boundary Line?’ Indigenous Nationhood and Colonial Borders” by Dr. Patrick Lozar (Salish & Kootnai) (University of Montana)

2024 Sherman & Mabel Smith Pettyjohn Lecture on Indigenous History
Friday, March 29, at noon
CUE 518, WSU Pullman

Since the mid-nineteenth century, Indigenous Nations of the Columbia Plateau have contended with the Canada-United States border that runs through their homelands in the interior Pacific Northwest. For the United States and Canada, the border marked each country’s separate jurisdiction at the forty-ninth parallel. For Indigenous peoples, the invisible boundary line could divide families and lands, but it could also be exploited and undermined. In this lecture, Dr. Patrick Lozar will explore the diverse ways that Indigenous Nations have responded to the imposition of colonial borders in their territories, historically and today.

Join Laura Hamilton, WSU Learning and Organizational Development manager, for the spring series of Crucial Conversations Book Review. This course provides powerful skills to ensure every conversation — especially difficult ones — leads to the results you want. Participants learn how to be persuasive rather than abrasive, and how to get back to productive dialogue when others clam up. Also offers techniques for high-stakes conversations when emotions are running strong. Register in Percipio for Crucial Conversations Book Review spring series sessions, April 3 and 12.

Join us as we honor Dr. Hans Van Dongen, a faculty member who has risen to the front ranks of his discipline through achievements in research, scholarship, and teaching. The lecture will begin at 3 p.m., in SHER 432 (Spokane campus), with a reception to follow.

In this research communication competition, in which doctoral students have 3 minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance. Developed by the University of Queensland in Australia, Three‑Minute Thesis (3MT®) challenges students to consolidate their ideas and research discoveries so they can present them concisely to a non-specialist audience. This will take place at 1 p.m. in the Veterinary Biomedical Research Building, Room 305.

Plan for the days ahead:

Questions?
showcase.wsu.edu, showcase@wsu.edu, 509-335-6674

The Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology welcomes Dr. Zheng ‘Jake’ Chen, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston to WSU Spokane on Tuesday, April 9. He will be providing his seminar at noon, “Targeting the circadian clock against disease and aging,” in SCCRS 250 and via Zoom.

Biological timing in cells is crucial for physiological health and healthspan. Conversely, circadian dysregulation is a hallmark of many chronic diseases and age-related decline. Our research aims to investigate the function and mechanism of circadian intervention in disease and aging settings, which may lead to innovative chronotherapeutic strategies with broad translational impact.

Dr. Chen is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the McGovern Medical School at UT Health Science Center at Houston.

We look forward to you joining us in person (SCRS 250) or through Zoom!

Questions/Zoom link? Contact Michelle Sanchez at michelle.r.sanchez@wsu.edu.

Spring Family Weekend 2024 is April 5–7, and all WSU Pullman departments, colleges, and organizations are invited to submit events!

Family Weekends are a great way to connect with students’ families, alumni, donors, and other members of the extended Coug family. Events are held throughout the weekend and can include a variety of activities such as sports competitions, art shows, concerts, open houses, tours, and fundraisers.

Events must be submitted through Coug Presence. Registered Presence users can follow the instructions on the Family Weekend website to submit events; tag the event Family Weekend. If you are not a registered user, fill out the Presence event creator form and provide your contact information to be set up as a user.

Please note that it may take a few days for events to be approved and appear on Presence.

If you have any questions, email student.affairs@wsu.edu.

Join us from noon–1:30 p.m., in CUE 518, for the Legacy of Excellence Lecture. The annual Legacy of Excellence Lecture features a professor emeritus who, in retirement, continues to make outstanding contributions to academia, the university, and the community.

Tune in to watch the 2024 State of the University Address from 3:10–4:10 p.m. The livestream link is available at showcase.wsu.edu. President Schulz will highlight the past year’s accomplishments and discusses the future evolution of the WSU system.

Plan for the days ahead:

Questions?
showcase.wsu.edu, showcase@wsu.edu, 509-335-6674

Join us today for the Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition through June 29, the culmination of three or more years of dedication, creativity, and exploration as the MFA students unveil their thought-provoking works. This year’s MFA candidates are Mozi Jones and Reika Okuhara. For families visiting during WSU Family Weekend, this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to delve into contemporary art alongside loved ones, and to create memories together as you explore the diverse range of artworks crafted by these talented students.

With years of intensive study and creative exploration, these students have honed their craft, challenged conventions, and delved deep into their artistic practice to bring forth works that resonate on a profound level. From visual narratives to thought-provoking conceptual pieces, this exhibition showcases works that are always fresh, relevant, and pushing the boundaries of artistic discourse. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of contemporary art, this exhibition promises an enriching and inspiring experience for all who visit.

Visit the museum Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., excluding university holidays and breaks.

Join the museum March 26–June 29, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Beyond Hope: Kienholz and the Inland Northwest. The exhibition delves into the collaborative artistic practice of Ed and his wife, Nancy Reddin Kienholz, during the decades they spent living and working in the small northern Panhandle town of Hope, Idaho. Renowned for their politically confrontational and socially engaged artwork, the Kienholzes’ presence in the Inland Northwest showcases how radical and boundary-pushing artists are not exclusively confined to coastal urban centers, and that regions often regarded as peripheral and conservative have in fact offered fertile ground for artistic experimentation, risk, and critique. Beyond Hope contributes to revised understandings of American art history by examining how two internationally recognized artists embedded their work in local and regional culture, environment, and history.

The Kienholzes’ hybrid life-work practice in Hope points to the capacity for experimental and category-defying histories of American art to remain hidden in plain sight. In keeping with these artists’ investigations of the profound contradictions and often brutal realities of the human condition, Beyond Hope hopes to locate, literally and figuratively, the universal through the particular by embedding art in everyday experience.

The Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC) is a day of learning, networking and sharing. A partnership between Washington State University and University of Idaho, the event is open to individuals of all gender identities who seek to support and empower women in leadership.

“Together, We Rise”

Join us to celebrate our differences, build common ground and create an empowered community of professional colleagues.

  • Gain an understanding of persistent barriers to collaboration, women’s leadership, and professional opportunities, with a focus on the impact of intersectionality.
  • Foster connections with colleagues and establish diverse, inclusive networking structures to support both personal and professional growth.
  • Develop and enhance skills and tools for continuous personal and professional development.
  • Learn effective strategies to empower and uplift the voices of all women, including those from marginalized and underrepresented groups such as Black, Indigenous, and women of color, LGBTQIA+ women, within the workplace.

Email the conference leadership committee at wlc@uidaho.edu.

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to join the Cougs for Recovery community to learn how to reduce the risk of opioid overdose at Narcan trainings this spring.

The trainings will cover how to recognize the symptoms of opioid overdose, assess appropriate care, and administer naloxone (Narcan). Participants will also learn how to use fentanyl test strips.

Trainings are being held on the Pullman campus on the following dates:

  • Tuesday, March 26, 3–4 p.m.
    Todd Hall 130
  • Wednesday, April 24, 3–4 p.m.
    Todd Hall 133

All are welcome to attend. Free Narcan kits and fentanyl test strips will be provided at the end of the training. No registration required.

Narcan kits are also available for free at the Cougar Health Services Pharmacy.

Washington State University President Kirk Schulz will take to the stage to deliver his annual State of the University address tomorrow afternoon.

Beginning at 3:10 p.m. on Tuesday, the event will feature a brief welcome from WSU Everett Chancellor Paul Pitre, followed by the president’s formal remarks. During his address, Schulz will touch on national headwinds facing higher education and highlight how WSU is continuing to make good on its academic and service mission.

Faculty Senate Chair Eric Sheldon will moderate a Q&A session with Schulz and Pitre after the president’s comments conclude.

The entire address will be streamed live via the Experience WSU website and is one of the many events taking place this week as part of Showcase, the university’s weeklong celebration of academic excellence. More information about Showcase can be found on the program’s website.

The Nutrition & Gut Microbiome Lab of Dr. Franck Carbonero in WSU Spokane and Pullman is recruiting volunteers to participate in our exciting research on the effects of cranberry juice on UTIs, the gut microbiome, and their metabolites.

Participants will be compensated with $100 in gift cards for providing samples and completing two dietary periods (15 days each) with a washout period (15 days) in between. A total of 45 days.

Participant eligibility conditions:

  • Postmenopausal women
  • Drink cranberry/placebo juice
  • Provide urine and stool samples as well as vaginal swabs (four times during the study)

Volunteers cannot participate if there is a history of:

  • UTIs in the last year, recurrent UTIs, or other vaginal health conditions in the last year
  • Celiac disease/Non-Celiac gluten intolerance
  • IBS, IBD (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis), diverticulitis
  • Suspected or known strictures
  • Fistulas or physiological/mechanical GI obstruction, chronic diarrhea
  • Bariatric surgery
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Peripheral artery disease
  • Stroke, certain cancers
  • Have BMI > 35
  • Habitual use of nicotine containing products of any kind in the last 6 months

For more information, please email NEP.GutMicrobiome@wsu.edu or call 509-358-7612.

Visit our website for further details as well!

WSU HRPP/IRB participant information: IRB #19957, irb@wsu.edu

Complete our Qualtrics survey for participation.

Thank you!