Story Ideas:
UTEP Researcher to Evaluate Benefits of Culturally Adapted Intervention in Latino Heavy Drinkers
• Craig Field, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, has been awarded $1.9 million by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to evaluate the potential benefits of a culturally adapted motivational intervention to reduce heavy drinking among Latinos.
The study will look at how to reduce alcohol problems and increase help-seeking and treatment in an underserved population. Dr. Field proposes that if a patient interventions is modified so it integrates cultural values and addresses the stress of balancing two cultures, then the intervention might be more effective.
UTEP Researchers Help Map Brain
• Researchers at UTEP and Stanford University have joined efforts to start mapping the brain’s hypothalamus with the help of a new cutting-edge technique developed at Stanford called CLARITY, which is a method to make brain tissue transparent. The hypothalamus is the almond-sized region at the base of the brain that helps control a multitude of bodily functions, such as body temperature, hunger, blood pressure and hormone levels.
Arshad M. Khan, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and director of the Systems Neuroscience Laboratory at UTEP, Sudip Bajpeyi, Ph.D., assistant professor of kinesiology and director of the Skeletal Muscle Metabolism Laboratory in the College of Health Sciences, and Eric MacDonald, Ph.D., associate director of the W. M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation in the College of Engineering, will collaborate with Luis de Lecea, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University on the new project, which is made possible by a $20,000 grant from the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP) at UTEP.
Their collaboration stems from President Barack Obama’s BRAIN Initiative (which stands for Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies), a bold new research effort announced last year that is expected to revolutionize the understanding of the human mind and help researchers find new ways to treat, cure and prevent brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and traumatic brain injury.
The team plans to leverage their initial research findings to apply for larger grants through the BRAIN Initiative’s funding agencies.
Press Events/Photo Opportunities On Campus:
Wednesday, July 2 – Thursday, July 3
6 p.m. (both days)
Sun Bowl Stadium
Chivas vs. Cruzeiro natural grass installation
UTEP’s Sun Bowl stadium will soon be filled with soccer fans, but first natural grass will be installed on the field. The grass, provided by Gardner Turf in Santa Teresa, N.M., will arrive Wednesday, July 2. Installation will begin that evening, as well as the evening of Thursday, July 3. The 90,000-square-feet of grass will be 1.5 inches thick. Thirty trucks will haul in the grass and take about 24 hours to install.
Media is invited to get video and photographs at 6 p.m. both evenings.
Thursday, July 3
8:30 p.m.
Kidd Field, UTEP Campus
Movies on the Lawn — Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Returning for the program’s fourth season, Movies on the Lawn will show “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 3 at Kidd Field.
In celebration of the Centennial Year, organizers will distribute giveaways to the first 100 people to arrive at each showing, offer contests on the UTEP Union Services Facebook page and set up a school supply drive for students in the community. The drive will collect school supplies such as paper, markers, crayons, glue, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, erasers and pencils. A collection area will be set up at each Movies on the Lawn showing. The school supplies will be disseminated to community students in need after the last show.
Two movies have been added to the usual eight-movie summer lineup in response to community member requests.
All films are free to the public and shown on an 18-foot inflatable screen.
The Movies on the Lawn series has been growing in popularity since it began in 2011. This year, the total attendance for the summer series is expected to reach about 5,000. In 2013, the total attendance was more than 2,500, which included four cancelled showings due to inclement weather.
At the concession stand, guests can purchase a $5 combo, which includes a 12 oz. can of soda, popcorn and a hot dog. Guests may also purchase a Centennial popcorn cup for $2.50. Popcorn refills are $1.50 for the rest of the season.
No alcohol or glass containers are allowed inside Kidd Field.
Kidd Field is located on the north end of campus adjacent to the intersection of Randolph Drive and Robinson Avenue.
The venue is ADA accessible and all films will have closed captioning.
For visitors to the UTEP campus, parking is available at the UTEP Sun Bowl Parking Garage or in the P-8, P-9, P-10, P-11 and P-12 parking lots. For a complete listing of all on-campus parking options, see the “Visitor Parking” section at parking.utep.edu.
For more information, call Union Services at 915-747-5711 or visit https://www.facebook.com/UTEPUnion.
All films begin at approximately 8:30 p.m. or as determined by sunset.
Friday, July 4
The University will be closed in observance of Independence Day.
Sunday, July 6
8 p.m.
Sun Bowl Stadium
International soccer exhibition: Chivas vs. Cruzeiro
Club Deportivo Guadalajara, one of the most historic soccer clubs in Mexico affectionately known as Chivas, in conjunction with Soccer United Marketing (SUM), announced its U.S. ninth annual tour in the United States, including The University of Texas at El Paso’s Sun Bowl Stadium at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 6.
One of the most historic and successful clubs in Mexico, Chivas has captured 11 first division titles in and has raised two Copa México trophies. Additionally, the 108-year-old team is the only club in Mexico to exclusively field Mexican players, a concept that has made Chivas a steady contributor of players to the Mexican National Team. Standout players include former Sporting Kansas City forward Omar Bravo, Aldo DeNigris, the 2012 Olympic gold medalists Jorge Enriquez and Antonio Rodriguez, as well as the FIFA Under-17 world champions Carlos Fierro and Patricio Araujo.
Ticket information: 1-800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com
Campus Spotlights:
3rd Annual Alumni PICK-NIC
• The green hues of Memorial Park will get an orange makeover when generations of UTEP alumni meet from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 12, to share old memories and create new ones at the third annual UTEP Alumni PICK-NIC.
Miner alumni – and there are about 40,000 in the El Paso area – are invited to spread out their blankets, lawn chairs and ice chests at the park, 3200 Copper Ave. (between San Marcial and Luna streets) and be part of this special Miner tradition. The event is one of more than 20 scheduled July 12 around the world where people will celebrate being Miners with food and fun.
These parties on the second Saturday in July will build alumni camaraderie and strengthen the foundation for future alumni growth as the Miner Nation continues its Centennial Celebration this year.
Picnickers are asked to wear their Miner gear and take plenty of photos and videos. Prizes will be awarded. Participants also should come ready to belt out their rendition of UTEP’s fight song, “Miner Fight.”
The Alumni Association will provide the hamburgers and hot dogs, and participants are encouraged to bring sides, salads and desserts as well as their own drinks.
UTEP PICK-NICs in the U.S. include Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Orange County, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, and San Francisco. Internationally, picnics will be held south of the border in Juárez and Zapopan, Mexico; as well as half a world away in Thimphu, Bhutan.
Information or to RSVP for a picnic: http://alumni.utep.edu or 915-747-8600.