Mentoring undergraduate research scholars
2021 Undergraduate Research Scholars Sanjana Jayprakash, left, and Luisa Fonseca, right, with mentors Karin and Phillip Peterson. Photo provided by URVC
The Retired Faculty Mentorship project is a collaborative effort between the University’s Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and the University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC). The project provides Undergraduate Research Scholar (URS) students with opportunities to work with volunteer faculty mentors (current or retired) to develop and conduct research.
UMRA member Phillip Peterson, MD, an infectious diseases expert and professor of medicine emeritus, and his wife, Karin Peterson, JD, a retired attorney, mentored six URS awardees in 2021 on a project aimed at addressing three major crises: climate change, environmental injustice, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Peterson solicited the help of five colleagues to lecture on how their respective fields related to these crises. The project culminated with each student submitting a research paper addressing the effects of climate change on either human health or environmental injustice.
“Working with students brings new ideas and new ways of looking at things,” Peterson said. The volunteer mentoring experience was “exciting” and “intellectually stimulating.”
Germ Gems
In addition to mentoring through URVC since retiring, Peterson has combined his love of teaching with his passionate interest in germs to write and publish a weekly blog, “Germ Gems.” It’s a family affair, with grandson Anders Larson responsible for blog design and technical support. If interested, go to germgems.blog; it’s free and provides practical guidance on the microbial world for the lay reader.
For information about opportunities to mentor OUR/URS students at the U of M, please visit urvc.umn.edu and go to Projects > On Campus Projects > Retiree Faculty Mentorship to learn more.
—Deanne Magnusson, URVC vice chair and project director
News
Make your own discoveries in Portugal in 2025 on this journey to medieval monasteries, fertile vineyards and cities that are equal parts history and modern energy. Deadline to express an interest is Friday June 7, 2024.
Spend eight nights in Madrid and Barcelona in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Embrace the colorful history of the Canadian Maritime provinces for 11 nights in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Spend four nights in Québec City in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Spend 9 nights on the Douro River in Portugal in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Embrace and explore Mexico City as it showcases all facets of Mexico’s national character in 2025. Deadline to express an interest is Friday, June 7, 2024.
Bright and bold living history awaits you in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
The election of UMRA officers and new board members for 2024–25 will be conducted via an online poll from May 13 to 19, with the results to be announced at our annual meeting on May 21. Look for the ballot in your email inbox on May 13. Diane Young has been nominated to be president-elect.
“I convinced myself I could handle this problem without support groups or doing additional research, but that’s only because I didn’t want to make it any more real than it already was. Denial comes in many forms, and one is to avoid thinking about the problem any more than need be.” —Alice A. Larson
Meet UMRA member Peter Moe. He retired in 2023 after a career that spanned nearly half a century at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and is credited with developing the “Arb” into one of the few in the U.S. with world-class fruit and landscape breeding programs.
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) has welcomed two new members with valuable skills and experience to the URVC Leadership Council: Lynn Slifer and Jeanne Jacobson.
The University plans to remove retirees from the @umn.edu internet identity domain on December 7. UMRA has advocated for ensuring continued access to this identity (including email, Google Workspace, and associated services), citing University retirees’ enduring contributions to and engagement with the University. Thus far, our efforts have not prompted any change of plans.
Leading the online Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays has been a labor of love for Kris Bettin. Alas, a change in family needs has necessitated her retirement. So, JOIE is seeking a new leader to join a savvy editorial committee of five and bring fresh ideas for continued development of the UMRA-sponsored journal.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to explore your photographic interests, hone your photographic skills, and hear what other retirees are up to, the UMRA Photo Club is a great place to be. We have fun! And whatever your skill level, there is room for everybody.
Soon you will receive an email or letter inviting you to renew your UMRA membership for the 2024–25 year. Please renew before you get busy with your summer activities. Your support helps to make our programs and many other member benefits possible!
This will be a new regular column where you can find organizational tasks that need your help! We are currently looking for help researching a new UMRA Membership Database and URVC volunteer database, and a co-producer for UMRA's Zoom webinars. See more details: