UIRIS routing form required for all external funding proposals

The Graduate College and the Division of Sponsored Programs (DSP) are working toward obtaining more accurate information concerning graduate students who receive funding from sources outside the university. This information will make it possible for the Graduate College and the Division of Sponsored Programs to improve the services we provide to the students and help us give due recognition to our student award winners. In order to accomplish our goal, we need your assistance.

Graduate students should note that every external (source outside the university) funding application must be accompanied by a University of Iowa electronic routing form accessed through Sponsored Programs UI Research Information System (UIRIS). Whether you applied for funding online or sent hard copies by mail, you still need to complete the routing form on UIRIS for each funding proposal they send to an external funder. If you sent out any applications for external funding during Fall Semester 2006, and did not complete the UIRIS form, you should make arrangements to do so as soon as possible.

There are several reasons why this routing form is crucial:

• UIRIS is the means for the university to assure that the student has the necessary permissions and agreements for each funding proposal.
   
• UIRIS routing forms are used by DSP to create a file for the submitted grant. When the student receives an award, it is used to create a grant account which enables the students to access the funds and provide assistance managing the funds.
   
• UIRIS electronic files are the required first step for making qualified awards eligible for the Graduate College’s Graduate Incentive Fellowship (GIF).
   
• UIRIS records assure recognition and prestige for the graduate student.
   
• UIRIS records offer the Graduate College a clear picture of graduate funding activity in order to properly plan future resources, funding, and support services for graduate students.
   
• UIRIS provides accurate records for departments, which can improve planning, mentoring, and recruitment activities.

A note to DGSs:
If your department has no staff trained in UIRIS, you can refer your students to Diane Crosby, dsp-grant1@uiowa.edu, or 335-3597, in the Division of Sponsored Programs. If you would like your staff trained in the use of UIRIS, please contact
Gina Crosheck at gina-crosheck@uiowa.edu or by phone: 319-335-3203.

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Upcoming Thesis Defense Dates

        Click here for a list of upcoming thesis defenses.

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UI Graduate College Awards Dissertation Prizes

The University of Iowa Graduate College has awarded its most prestigious dissertation prizes, the D.C. Spriestersbach Dissertation Prize, the Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award, and the L.B. Sims Outstanding Master's Thesis Award.

Five scholars were formally recognized for their research accomplishments as graduate students at a ceremony on the UI campus on March 30, 2007. The event was held in conjunction with the James F. Jakobsen Graduate Research Conference organized by the Graduate Student Senate.

Four award recipients were honored for exemplary doctoral research. Katherine Boris Dernbach (anthropology) and Marius Vasile Ionescu (mathematics) received top doctoral honors with the D.C. Spriestersbach Dissertation Prize. Each received $2500 along with a Graduate College award certificate. The dissertations of Phyllis L. F. Rippeyoung (sociology) and Lijing Gou (chemical and biochemical engineering) were honored with the Graduate College Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award.

One award recipient received honors for exemplary master's research. Chandramouli Krishnan (physical therapy and rehabilitation science) garnered top master's honors with the L.B. Sims Outstanding Master's Thesis Award. He received a $500 honorarium and a certificate from the Graduate College.

For the complete press release, visit:
http://news-releases.uiowa.edu/2007/march/033007dissertation-awards.html

For more information about current and past dissertations award winners, as well as information about recognition for excellence in graduate education at the UI, visit: http://www.grad.uiowa.edu/Awards

For details on the Jakobsen Research Conference, visit: http://www.uiowa.edu/~gss/conference/index.html

Dean Sandra Barkan Leaving the UI

After over 20 years of outstanding service, Sandra Barkan will leave The University of Iowa for Washington, D.C. this coming summer.

Currently Associate Dean in the Graduate College, Dean Barkan also serves as a member of the UI faculty in the Department of Cinema and Comparative Literature. During her time at Iowa, she was the Interim Director of the International Writing Program and served as the Executive Director of the Honors Program.

In addition to these accomplishments at Iowa, Dean Barkan has been a devoted mentor for students pursuing national and international scholarships and fellowships, including several successful applications for Rhodes Scholarships and Fulbright Fellowships.

UI students, alumni, and colleagues comment on Dr. Barkan’s vision, focus, and integrity in serving UI scholars. Her mentoring is marked by generosity, as she quietly gives students of her time, undivided attention, and resources. Many remark on her ability to find and nurture scholars who go on to fulfilling careers that enrich the lives of others.

On behalf of The University of Iowa, the entire Graduate College expresses gratitude to Dr. Barkan for her years of excellent service and sends many well wishes for her future.

More highlights of Barkan's UI career...
 

Interdisciplinary PhD Scholars Sweep Research Week Awards

Each year, the Carver College of Medicine, College of Public Health, and VA Hospital sponsor Research Week. This year, Graduate College Interdisciplinary PhD students were the recipients of all 3 poster awards given in the Graduate & Medical Student Poster Session:

Carmen Halabi
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics
Medical Scientist Training Program
"Impaired vascular function in transgenic mice with smooth muscle cell specific dominant negative hPPARγ expression."
Mentor: Curt Sigmund, PhD (Internal Medicine)

Belinda Pinto
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular & Cellular Biology
"LEM domain proteins and nuclear lamina function: Loss of Drosophila MAN1 causes tissue-specific defects."
Mentor: Pam Geyer, PhD (Biochemistry)

Brett Winborn
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular & Cellular Biology
“K63-linked and mixed linkage ubiquitin editing activity of the neurodegenerative disease protein Ataxin-3”
Mentor: Hank Paulson, MD/PhD (Neurology)

 

      

Johnathan Gajdos wins Hancher Finkbine Medallion

The University of Iowa will honor several students, faculty, and alumni this month at the annual Finkbine Dinner for Representative Student Leaders, one of the University’s most prestigious award ceremonies.

Johnathan Gajdos, Graduate Student Senate President, will receive the Medallion for his service in graduate student government.

Last year's Medallion was won by former GSS President Sarah Vigmostad.

The Hancher-Finkbine medallions, given in recognition of outstanding leadership, learning, and loyalty, are named after 1880 UI law graduate and Des Moines businessman William O. Finkbine and Virgil M. Hancher, president of the University from 1940 to 1964.

The Finkbine Dinner was first held in 1917 to honor campus leaders and give them an opportunity to meet administrators, faculty, fellow students, and alumni. The tradition of awarding Hancher-Finkbine medallions began in 1964.

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Click here for a full list of 2006-07 Graduate Council members

Click here for Meetings and Agendas (August 2006-Current meeting agenda)

Upcoming meetings: April 5, 19

                         
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• Graduate College monthly newsletter archive
• Graduate College News—Spring 2007 issue
• Graduate College News—Spring 2006 issue
• Graduate College News—Archive