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Examining Food Insecurity Among Students

Nationally, approximately 11.5% of Americans are food insecure, and college students are suffering from food insecurity at the highest rate says UNT professor Lisa Henry. Through her research on campus food insecurity, she's found that college students who are food insecure often experience a variety of negative emotions including shame and mental health issues as a result. Henry, chair of the Department of Anthropology, began her study in 2014 and has since talked with dozens of students on UNT's campus and worked with the Dean of Students applying her research to help the UNT Food Pantry better serve students. She is now expanding her study with a focus on how COVID-19 has affected students' experiences with hunger.


Collaboration Spotlight
Global Sports Innovator Stadia Ventures Collaborates with UNT

UNT's sport entertainment management program has added Stadia Ventures — a global sports innovation hub for entrepreneurs, industry partners and investors — to its list of collaborators. Students will benefit from unique internship opportunities and access to the latest innovations in sports technology, as well as an exclusive summer startup pitch event with Stadia executives as mentors.


Research News
Engaging in NASA's Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign

A team of companies and universities led by UNT's College of Engineering has successfully completed testing scenarios developed by NASA as part of its Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign Developmental Test simulation activity. They were one of 11 teams selected to work with NASA on the campaign, which seeks to promote public confidence in low-flying traffic as it increases significantly over U.S. cities in coming years and accelerate the realization of emerging aviation markets for passenger and cargo transportation. UNT researchers are part of the new Center for Integrated Intelligent Mobility Systems.


Garnering $1 Million for Cybersecurity Research

Ram Dantu, director of UNT's Center for Information and Cyber Security and professor of computer science and engineering, has been awarded almost $1 million in grants from the National Security Agency for his research in cybersecurity. He is working with associate professors Kirill Morozov and Sanjukta Bhowmick to create a framework for securely sharing cell phone data to help identify COVID-19 super-spreader events. Dantu also has partnered with senior lecturer Mark Thompson for three projects focusing on increasing the number and quality of cybersecurity professionals. Dantu was recently named to DCEO's Dallas 500 list for his effort and dedication to technology and cybersecurity.


Offering 'Best Practices' for Work-life Balance During Pandemic

Recent research found that COVID-19 caused many full-time employed adults to struggle with work-life balance and work stress, according to assistant professor Hoda Vaziri, who teaches management in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business. She evaluated data from full-time employed adults to uncover the impact COVID-19 had on how employees manage their work and family and explore organizational practices that can enhance employee well-being and functioning during such times. Her findings have allowed her to work with her fellow researchers to develop "best practices" for organizations to adopt in order to better serve their employees and increase job satisfaction and work-life balance.


Honoring Expertise in Cold-formed Steel

Cheng Yu, professor of mechanical engineering, was named a Structural Engineering Institute Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Yu received the fellowship for his expertise and contributions to the field of structural engineering and his work with cold-formed steel. Yu recently received a patent on his cold-formed steel in-frame shear wall for use in mid-rise buildings. His research focuses on advancing structures, materials, construction technology and design methodology for building and transportation systems.


Recognizing Diversity and Inclusion

UNT's College of Engineering was recently awarded the 2021 Bronze Award by the American Society of Engineering Education for its diversity and inclusion efforts and commitment to continued growth and excellence. The award, which can be carried through 2023, recognizes the significant and measurable progress the college has made in increasing its diversity and inclusion efforts in recruitment, enrollment and outreach as well as its new and ongoing initiatives in those areas.


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