Campus Connection: Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023

Featured Stories

WSU Innovation Campus wins Emerging Research Park Award

The Association of University Research Parks (AURP) has awarded Wichita State’s Innovation Campus with the 2023 Emerging Research Park Award at its annual international conference held this week.

Each year AURP recognizes a research park or innovation district that, within 10 years, has created an exceptional ecosystem which brings technology from inception to market, creates high-paying jobs, and contributes to the economic health of its region.

In 2012, WSU had a bold vision of what the Innovation Campus could be. And now — as the Innovation Campus nears its 10th anniversary — an underutilized area of campus has been transformed into 120 acres of state-of-the-art research facilities, collaborative partnerships and educational opportunities with more than 50 partner businesses to date.

Presentations and Talks

CHP presents nationally recognized cardiac surgeons discussing medicine in age of AI, digital transformation

The College of Health Professions is pleased to host Drs. Brett Grizzell and Bassem Chehab with Ascension Via Christi for the presentation "Medicine in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation" at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 at the CAC Theater. The event is open to everyone at no additional charge.

The College of Health Professions is pleased to host Drs. Brett Grizzell and Bassem Chehab with Ascension Via Christi for the presentation “Medicine in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation” at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 at the CAC Theater. The event is open to everyone at no additional charge.

Drs. Grizzell and Chehab are nationally renowned experts in heart surgery and are founding members of the Structural Heart program at Ascension Via Christi. Learn more about the exciting new technologies that are transforming medicine and healthcare.

Brett Grizzell, MD, with Wichita Surgical Specialists, is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, skilled in minimally invasive surgery and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). He is a founding member of the nearly 10-year-old Structural Heart team at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, where he also serves as medical director of its Lung Cancer Screening program. Dr. Grizzell was raised in Wichita and in 2004 received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where he did his residency in general surgery. He completed his fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Medical Center in 2011.

Bassem Chehab, MD, with Cardiovascular Consultants of Kansas, is board-certified in internal and cardiovascular medicine and specializes in complex coronary interventions and structural cardiology interventions. Dr. Chehab received his medical degree from Lebanon University in Beirut. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine; in 2012, he completed his fellowship in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. During his training, he developed an extensive background in research, having worked on multiple pivotal clinical trials and research projects and being involved in pioneering work on TAVR and other minimally invasive procedures. Dr. Chehab was recruited to Wichita by CCK and Ascension Via Christi to join Dr. Grizzell in the development of a multidisciplinary Structural Heart program at St. Francis, where he now serves as medical director for the hospital’s Heart Valve Clinic and Structural Heart program.

Yeni Silva-Renteria will speak about the International Rescue Committee

In conjunction with “Where We Belong: Refugee Stories from Wichita,” Yeni Silva-Renteria, executive director of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Kansas, will speak at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24 in the Beren Gallery at the Ulrich Museum of Art. A reception will be held starting at 5:30 p.m.

Silva-Renteria will discuss the IRC’s refugee resettlement efforts in Wichita and the larger context of such efforts in the U.S. today.

Dr. Isaac Rutel, OU Health Sciences Center, to speak at next physics seminar

Join the Department of Physics for its next physics seminar at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25 in 226 Jabara Hall.

The seminar features Dr. Isaac Rutel from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and his talk, “Medical Physics as a Career Path for Researchers: Some Work Peri and Post Clinic.” There will also be a discussion in 042 Jabara Hall for students following the seminar.

Learn more and find the Zoom link

Watkins Visiting Professor to discuss mitochondria and disease

Vamsi Mootha, M.D., professor of systems biology and medicine at Harvard Medical School, is the second featured speaker in the Watkins Visiting Professor series. Join Fairmount College for his public seminar, “Mitochondria and oxygen: from evolutionary origins to human disease,” at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26 in 208 Hubbard Hall.

His separate scientific seminar, “Mitochondrial parts, pathways, and pathogenesis” will be presented at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 in 224 McKinley Hall.

The Watkins Visiting Professorship was created in 1974 by the Watkins Foundation. The grant is now provided through the Watkins fund, a part of the Wichita State Foundation and Alumni Engagement’s endowment. For more information about the lecture series, contact Dr. David Eichhorn at 316-978-6659.

Events

Join Mental Health and Movement Class at Steve Clark YMCA Oct. 24

Join the launch of the new Mental Health and Movement Class starting at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 24 in the Steve Clark YMCA Studio, where participants will explore what makes practicing movement feel so hard, the benefits of moving and how to use the resources at the YMCA.

The four-week class is open to anyone at no additional charge and sponsored by the YMCA and HOPE Services. Participants will practice basic breathing exercises.

Campus community invited to faculty panel discussion on German universities, humanities under the Nazis

There will be a faculty panel discussion on “German Universities Under the Nazis and the Betrayal of the Humanities” from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25 Marcus Welcome Center.

Panelists from the history, philosophy and anthropology departments will examine how their respective disciplines navigated the Nazi era, and there will be open discussion of the topic’s relevance for universities today.

A reception will follow the discussion, and the event is open to the public at no additional charge.

Learn about volunteering for the International Rescue Committee

The Ulrich Museum of Art will host International Rescue Committee (IRC) staff from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26 in the Beren Gallery.

Those interested in learning ways to help refugees who are coming to Wichita can learn more about volunteering and internship opportunities with the IRC at the drop-in informational session.

Spread the word about WSU’s Expanding Your Horizons STEM workshop

The 11th annual Expanding Your Horizons workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 in Hubbard Hall. Geared towards middle school girls, the event offers a unique opportunity to delve into the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Attendees get hands-on workshops, lunch, a T-shirt and a WSU bag with their $15 entry fee, and they will have the chance to explore various STEM fields, connect with passionate instructors and gain insights into potential careers. Additionally, parents can join an optional session covering college preparation and financing while considering an engaging WSU campus tour. Help spread the word and empower the next generation of STEM leaders.

Learn more about Expanding Your Horizons

Join Shocker Rowing for its Class Race, Fun Row events

Come down to the Arkansas River from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 at the RiverVista Boathouse, 150 N. McLean Blvd. with Shocker Rowing for the Class Race and Fun Row events.

The Class Races will start off the event with a competition between the freshmen and seniors, and ticket paying attendees will have the opportunity to learn to row on the water starting around 3:30 p.m.

Learn more and purchase tickets for Learn 2 Row