Features
Summer Months See In-Person Student Research Return and Flourish on Campus
After a year of most in-person student research being placed on pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic—or students and faculty having to collaborate over Zoom—many labs are back open as in-person research has resumed.
Four Villanovans Head to Tokyo as University Celebrates Latest Chapter of Olympic Tradition
A longstanding tradition continues this week when the latest chapter of Villanova's incredible Olympic story begins in Tokyo, Japan. Three former Wildcats will represent their countries in the Olympics – triathlete Summer Rappaport (United States) along with track & field athletes Siofra Cleirigh Buttner (Ireland) and Patrick Tiernan (Australia). In addition, Villanova men's basketball head coach Jay Wright is an assistant coach for Team USA. Tiernan will be competing in his second straight Olympics while the other three Villanovans are each Olympians for the first time.
Career Compass Recognized with 2021 ABET Innovation Award
In fall 2016, with the input of industry leaders, engineering alumni, faculty and students, Villanova University’s College of Engineering launched Career Compass, a required, credit-bearing professional development program for undergraduates.
Villanova Engineering Professor Identifies Chemical Compounds to Inhibit COVID-19 Related Enzyme
According to Chemical and Biological Engineering Associate Professor Dr. Zuyi “Jacky” Huang, “If effective inhibitors can be identified against the protein targets that may be highly conserved in future coronaviruses, these inhibitors may provide a quick solution to cure people infected with the new viruses.” In his Biological & Environmental Systems Engineering Laboratory, Dr. Huang and his team developed a computational platform that has accelerated the discovery of chemical compound inhibitors against 3CLPro, a protease that is essential for the replication of COVID-19.
Biology Professor Aaron Bauer Makes More Major Breakthroughs Studying Geckos
Dr. Aaron Bauer collaborated on two breakthrough discoveries regarding geckos that were recently announced: many species exhibit sticky tail pads in addition to their sticky toe pads, and a species previously misidentified as the world’s smallest dinosaur is actually a lizard.
Not Your Average Marine Ecology Class
With a background in coral reef science, postdoctoral fellow Tory Chase, PhD, also has a keen interest in science communication. According to him, it is a very important skill for any scientist to have.
Villanova Creates Public Space to Memorialize COVID Losses
The silver, white and gold ribbons seen shimmering above the Augustinian cemetery on Main Campus are a public remembrance of the losses mourned by members of the Villanova community due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Villanova Student Researches How Caffeine is Entering Our Ecosystem – and What We Can Do About It
Caffeine is found in products we consume every day, from coffee and tea to chocolate, energy drinks and supplements to name a few. But that extra boost of caffeine to start our day or to stay more alert can have some negative impacts on our environment.
Villanova Student Hits a Grand Slam in Bringing MLB Fashion and Culture to Instagram
Alex Tantum felt inspired to bring the excitement of Major League Baseball (MLB) and its players to Instagram—through their fashion, culture and personality. In late 2019, he launched an Instagram account called MLBFITS. Tantum wanted MLBFITS to appeal to a younger fanbase and to be a platform where players could express themselves through their fashion.
Villanova Global Medical Brigades Chapter Continue to Assist Central American Communities Despite the Pandemic
Many colleges and universities have chapters with Global Medical Brigades, a program to promote global health and sustainable development. They also promote sustainable volunteering, which is a more ethical approach to helping communities.