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THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM Thursday, February 11, 2010
Issue 91, Volume 75
thedailycougar.com
$3.5M grant going toward research By Nzinga Tchameni THE DAILY COUGAR Gov. Rick Perry announced last week that UH has received $3.5 million as part of the Research Superiority Award from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund to create the UH Texas Center for Superconductivity Applied Research Hub. The grant will be used over a
five-year period. “The Un i v e r s i t y of Houston is a worldwide leader in superconductivity technology, and this grant will help expand its research capabilities while encouraging the commercialization of this promising technology,” Perry said in a press release. Along with establishing the TcSUH center, the grant will go
toward recruiting scientists and researchers. This project, which includes a partnership of the UH mechanical engineering faculty and leading high-temperature superconductor company Superpower Inc., will result in new materials in science and new technology for high temperature superconductors. The development of intellectual property and technological
transfer to commercial products is also in the works. According to a press release, one of the first goals for the TcSUH-ARH will be to increase collaborative research between UH and SuperPower on the improvement and commercialization of superconducting wire for applications in energy. Both parties believe this research will
allow superconductivity products to move into the industry faster. “The award will be used to build new capabilities in applied research,” chemistry professor Allan Jacobson said. “In the field of energy, the main area is to develop high-temperature superconductor wires that can be used for the transmission of electricity.” see GRANT, page 12
Program aids foreign students with taxes By Jessica Traylor THE DAILY COUGAR The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program has been offered to the University’s international students since 1998 when the school was approved as a VITA site and will help them again this semester with their taxes. The program provides free assistance to international students who are required to file an income tax return. “This is an extremely valuable service to our foreign national community,” Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Administration Diane Murphy said. UH Tax Director Keith Gernold said UH has the 24th-largest national community in all of the U.S., and students have greatly benefited from the program. Every Saturday, beginning Feb. 27 and continuing through April 10, students can make an appointment in the Bayou City Room (No. 202) in the University Center. Appointment times will be available between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Gernold said most of the people helping in the VITA program are volunteers. Some of them will come from the C.T. Bauer College
of Business and some from the Houston CPA Society, which works closely with the Internal Revenue Service. All volunteers will be trained under the guidance of certified public accountants. Rhett Buck, a Houston CPA and tax attorney, will coordinate them. “(Last year), 59 volunteers helped individuals in preparing over 236 tax returns, as well as reviewing over 60 tax returns,” Gernold said. Gernold said they expect more people to take advantage of the program this year. He also said international students from other universities have been known to take advantage of UH’s VITA program. This may be because UH is the only tax assistance site inside the city limits that is able to do tax returns for international students solely. Students need to bring their passport, any records of income and expenses and immigration documents such as forms I-20 or DS2019. If W-2, 1042-S or 1099 forms are applicable, those will also be needed. The VITA program, which is sponsored by the Houston Asset Building Coalition, works in partnership with the Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office.
NEWTON LIU THE DAILY COUGAR
Students stuffin’ love
O
n Wednesday, students had an opportunity to make a stuffed animal for themselves, or one for their valentine, courtesy of The Student Publication Board. SPB provided the supplies free of charge for students who presented their student IDs. Psychology post-baccalaureate student Alicia Whitmire took advantage of the event to make a new friend.
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Biology professor earns peers’ honor, praise By Jessica Traylor THE DAILY COUGAR Biology Department Chairman Stuart Dryer is one of 531 people who have received the distinction of fellow from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. “For me, it’s a significant career milestone,” Dryer said. “Everyone likes to get an award, and it’s nice
to know that there is someone out there reading your stuff.” Dryer’s contributions to biology will be honored at a forum on Feb. 20 during the annual AAAS meeting in San Diego. He is the fifth UH faculty member recognized to date. “It’s really important for me to say that no professor can be successful if you don’t have good students and post docs,” Dryer said. “Without them, none of this
could be done. “I do writing, get grants, work on experimental designs, analyze data, but without the skills of students and post docs, none of this work could happen. I’ve been very fortunate to have a good run of skilled motivated students, which is true now more than ever.” Dryer, who has served as chairman of the Biology Department for the last seven years,
believes the attention the honor brings to UH is more important than his success. “I would be just as happy if anyone in the Biology Department won this award,” he said. “To me, this award means you can be successful at this school if you’re a student or faculty.” Founded in 1848, AAAS is an organization of scientists from across the country who’ve teamed
up to advance modern science. According to the group’s Web site, fellows are recognized for their meritorious efforts to move science and its application forward. To become a fellow, one must first be nominated by members of AAAS or its chief executive officer. Stanley Appel, chairman of the Department of Neurology see HONOR, page 10