Digest -- U.Va. Top News Daily

Linda Seaman

When I grow up …
Local seventh-graders got a glimpse into what their futures could hold on Oct. 11 and 12. Students from Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Greene and Nelson county schools participated in a career expo held at U.Va.’s Newcomb Hall. Vendors from the local business community offered materials representing a variety of career options. The middle school students also learned about the basic skills required to succeed in the workplace and in school. The event was hosted by U.Va., sponsored by the Charlottesville Area School-Business Alliance in partnership with the school divisions, and co-sponsored by the Central Virginia Tech Prep Consortium. (Oct. 22-24)

Two U.Va. doctors join prestigious Institute of Medicine
Professional achievement and commitment to service earned two U.Va. doctors honorary membership into the distinguished Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, an expert in shoulder and knee surgery and international leader in biomaterials and tissue engineering research, and Dr. Edward R. Laws Jr., a world-renowned neurosurgeon and a pioneer in the field of pituitary surgery, join 13 other U.Va. faculty as members of the institute, which elected 65 new members this year. (Oct. 21)

Research dinner showcases undergraduate projects
More than 30 students presented their research from the summer science and engineering research program at a dinner at the Rotunda on Sept. 29. Sponsored by the College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, students’ experiments spanned a variety of topics, including: studies of flies on cocaine, an examination of how plants age and an exploration of the changes in the writing of Thomas Jefferson during the years. (Oct. 11)