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'Research Minute' to bring academe to the air

Research at KU is as diverse as developing treatments for Alzheimer's and cancer to finding inexpensive ways to make alternative fuels and new methods to detect autism earlier in life.

"Research Minute," a new weekly series beginning today on Kansas Public Radio, will give listeners a glimpse into KU science, engineering, humanities, education, social sciences and life sciences research.

The program will air at 2:58 p.m. Mondays, before "All Things Considered," and at 6:58 a.m. Saturdays before "Weekend Edition." University Relations research writer Brandis Griffith will host the broadcast.

"I think the 'Research Minute' is an excellent opportunity for KPR listeners to learn more about the strides KU researchers are making: different ways to improve student behavior in schools, new ways to detect autism or possible discoveries that impact brain development or cancer," Griffith said. "Research is important – not only because it can impact the lives and health of the public, but it trains students and future researchers. I hope listeners will get a taste of what's interesting and important about research, whether it comes from a laboratory, classroom or elsewhere on campus.

Griffith, who covers research for KU's Office of University Relations and the KU Center for Research Inc., was previously a television reporter in Little Rock, Ark., and Wichita Falls, Texas. She earned a master's degree in journalism at Columbia University in New York and a bachelor's degree at Dillard University in New Orleans.

Topics in the series will include science education for middle school students with learning disabilities; a discovery on the potential for weeds to develop resistance to the popular herbicide, Roundup; biorefining efforts at KU, including how one professor is aiming to find cheaper ways to make biodiesel; and why European countries are so far ahead of the U.S. in using and developing alternative energy sources.

"The 'Research Minute' affords us a unique opportunity to tell part of the university's story in the community and provide significant, informative programming for KPR listeners," said Darrell Brogdon, KPR program director.

KPR already provides other "minute" broadcasts about academic programs at KU. The "Art Minute," hosted by David Cateforis, associate professor of art history, airs four times weekly. "Postcards from Asia," hosted by Bill Tsutsui, associate professor of history, airs twice weekly.

TOPONYMS

The original Green Hall, now Lippincott Hall, was dedicated Nov. 3, 1905, and named at the insistence of students for KU's first law professor and dean, James W. Green. He fought with the Kansas Legislature for decades over money for his continually expanding faculty and for a permanent building. "Uncle Jimmy" Green served the law school for 41 years.