Biologist Lauren Ponisio explores replanting fire-ravaged land with native plants as habitat for bees. Cybersecurity experts battle threats to internet traffic, cryptocurrency, and social media networks. Bala Ambati, of the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, studies gene therapy to treat Fuchs', a common eye disease. Hannah Thomas, an assistant professor of dance, launches a bachelor of fine arts in dance degree program. Also: the return of the UO Hip-Hop Jam; Anna Mueller, journalism student and mock trial specialist; Charity Woodrum, BS ’18 (physics), works with the James Webb Space Telescope; Skye Fitzgerald, MFA ’97 (speech: theater arts), Oscar-nominated filmmaker of Lifeboat and Hunger Ward; Folake Owodunni, BS ’08 (biology), improves emergency health services in Africa; and Steve Bence, BA ’75 (mathematics), MBA ’91 (general business), author of a book on Steve Prefontaine; and the launch of The Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health.
