Highlights from Purdue
January 2018
Annual open letter from President Daniels
In his annual open letter to the Purdue community, President Mitch Daniels shares that Purdue is in the midst of a period of exceptional innovation and growth in nearly every aspect of its operations — research and discovery, the way Purdue delivers and finances world-class education, and how the University is run, both academically and administratively — and outlines his goals for improving even further in 2018. More ...
Purdue announces name for new public university: Purdue University Global to serve working adults, online
Purdue on Thursday (Jan. 11) announced the name of its new online public university for working adults — Purdue University Global. The name was approved by the Executive Committee of the Purdue University Board of Trustees and the Board of Trustees of Purdue NewU. More ...
No increase again for Purdue room and board rates at WL, PNW campuses; PFW weighted average decreases
For the sixth consecutive year, students at Purdue's West Lafayette campus will see no room and board rate increase for the next academic year. The 2018-19 rates will actually be lower than those of 2012-13. In combination with a sixth consecutive year of zero tuition increase, this means that the total cost of attending Purdue will be less in 2019 than in 2012. More ...
Newest Purdue graduates receive degrees during ceremonies
Graduating students at Purdue's West Lafayette campus received their degrees in two commencement ceremonies at Elliott Hall of Music on Dec. 17. A photo gallery highlighting the ceremonies is available here. More ...
Astronaut alum Tingle launches into space
Purdue alumnus and NASA astronaut Scott Tingle on Dec. 17 embarked on a six-month mission to the International Space Station as part of Expedition 54/55. Tingle graduated from Purdue with a master's degree in mechanical engineering in 1988, specializing in fluid mechanics and propulsion. He was selected in July 2009 as one of 14 members of NASA's 20th astronaut class. More on Tingle and his preparations is available here.
Fruit fly breakthrough may help human blindness research
For decades, scientists have known that blue light will make fruit flies go blind, but it wasn't clear why. Now, a Purdue study has found how this light kills cells in the flies' eyes, and that could prove a useful model for understanding human ocular diseases such as macular degeneration. More ...
Purdue students, alums take on mission to Mars habitat simulation
A team of Purdue students and alumni began 2018 in an out-of-this-world environment as part of a two-week mission to the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah. The seven-member team was selected by the Purdue chapter of The Mars Society to take part in a simulation mission. The team, called Boilers2Mars, took over command of the research station on Dec. 30 and will pass it on to the next team on Jan. 14. More ...
Researchers solve 'four-phonon' thermal-conductivity obstacle key to tech applications
New findings have solved a longstanding obstacle in research to understand the effects of heat conduction in solid materials, a critical issue in many applications, from energy conversion to electronics cooling. More ...
Purdue's Garimella elected fellow of National Academy of Inventors
Suresh Garimella, Purdue's executive vice president for research and partnerships and the R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering, has been elected a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Fellows of the NAI are inventors on U.S. patents who have been nominated by their peers for outstanding contributions in patents and licensing, noteworthy discovery, significant effect on society, and support and enhancement of innovation. More ...
'Quantum material' has sharklike ability to detect small electrical signals
A "quantum material" that mimics a shark's ability to detect the minute electric fields of small prey has been shown to perform well in oceanlike conditions, with potential applications from defense to marine biology. More ...
Research shows why meteoroids explode before they reach Earth
Our atmosphere is a better shield from meteoroids than researchers thought, according to a new paper published in Meteoritics & Planetary Science. When a meteor comes hurtling toward Earth, the high-pressure air in front of it seeps into its pores and cracks, pushing the body of the meteor apart and causing it to explode. More ...
Purdue discovery clears way for human body to work as robust communication network for electronic devices
A group of Purdue researchers has discovered a new way in using the human body as a robust communication medium for networking electronic devices in and on the body that promises to be far more secure and low-energy than any wireless system. More ...
Purdue professor receives grants to improve gene therapy for cancer
Andrea Kasinski, assistant professor of biology, has received grants to improve microRNA therapeutics for cancer by the American Cancer Society and the National Institutes of Health. Small, non-coding RNAs, called microRNAs, are often lost during the formation of tumors and restoring critical RNAs is known to fight cancer. More ...
Purdue poultry vet receives Hovde Award for exemplary service to rural Indiana
When a deadly avian flu outbreak threatened the nation's poultry industry in 2015, Purdue's Patricia Wakenell was at the forefront of efforts to contain the spread of the disease. That critical initiative, along with many other accomplishments throughout her career, contributed to the selection of Wakenell for the 2017 Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence in Educational Service to Rural People of Indiana. More ...
Purdue Systemwide
Trustees approve restructuring measures at Fort Wayne campus
The Purdue Board of Trustees on Dec. 8 approved the establishment of three new schools within existing colleges at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. The new schools come as a result of continuing academic restructuring on campus and in preparation for the pending realignment of IPFW into Purdue University Fort Wayne and Indiana University Fort Wayne, which will take effect July 1. More ...
Taltree Arboretum & Gardens, Purdue University Northwest announce $12 million partnership
Taltree Arboretum & Gardens Foundation's board of directors; Damien and Rita Gabis, the founders of Taltree Arboretum & Gardens; and Purdue University Northwest have announced a unique partnership in which the Taltree Arboretum & Gardens Foundation and the Gabis family will donate the arboretum and its more than 300 acres to the university. More ...
Purdue in the News
Bloomberg Businessweek: Can Mitchonomics fix the broken business of higher education?
Chronicle of Higher Education: The 2017 Influence List (Access to the full article may require a subscription)
The Engineer: Small vibrating sensors help spot early signs of disease and infection
R&D Magazine: 3-D imaging animal bone cuts provides insight into early human practices
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