MURRAY — A man who was critically injured when he was hit by an SUV while working on a railway for the Utah Transit Authority last month has died "We are deeply saddened to share the loss of our colleague, Juan Madrid, a dedicated and beloved rail maintenance worker," reads a statement issued by UTA on Sunday Madrid was one of two UTA employees working on the rails near the 5900 South rail crossing early in the morning on April 24 when they were hit by an SUV traveling east Two other employees who witnessed the incident rushed to their side and started providing first aid until medics arrived on scene Both injured employees were taken to the hospital, with one in critical condition and the other in serious condition. One of the men was released from the hospital on April 26, according to a GoFundMe page organized to help pay for the men's medical bills That man is "thankfully at home recovering," UTA's statement says The driver who hit the UTA workers initially left the scene of the crash but later turned himself in to Murray police UTA is providing "counseling and benefits" for Madrid's family and offering counseling services to its employees Utah — One of the Utah Transit Authority rail workers struck by a car in an auto-pedestrian crash in April has died from his injuries In a post to Instagram, UTA identified the victim as Juan Madrid, who was one of the workers hit by a vehicle around 1:30 a.m. near 5900 South 300 West the morning of April 24. The driver, Brandon Palma, was arrested and is currently being held without bail. "The safety and well-being of UTA employees and their families is our highest priority," the post reads in part. "We are actively assisting the Murray Police Department as they conduct a thorough investigation into this incident." UTA says the second worker injured in the crash is at home, recovering. They also say the family is requesting privacy at this time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Utah Transit Authority - UTA (@rideuta) The driver of an SUV accused of hitting two UTA employees and leaving the scene has turned himself into police The crash happened near 5900 South and 300 West in Murray MURRAY, Utah (KUTV) — One of the two Utah Transit Authority employees struck in a Murray hit-and-run crash on April 24 has died from his injuries Juan Madrid died after he and another employee were hit by an Acura MDX while performing routine rail maintenance near 5900 South and 350 West Utah Trasit authorities said the driver of the vehicle failed to stop at the intersection before fleeing the scene on foot later turned himself in and was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail Both workers were taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries doctors later amputated one of the employee’s legs UTA said it is "deeply saddened" by Madrid’s death and is providing counseling and support to his family and coworkers “The safety and well-being of UTA employees and their families is our highest priority,” the agency said in a statement “We are actively assisting the Murray Police Department as they conduct a thorough investigation into this incident.” Authorities said the second employee is now recovering at home By Jennifer Cowley, president of the University of Texas at Arlington, and Richard C. Benson, president of the University of Texas at Dallas, for The Dallas Morning News University researchers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region are doing amazing work. At the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Texas at Dallas scholars play hidden roles in the cars we drive Behind just about every major technology breakthrough or industry transformation there’s often a university professor working to create the latest innovation and continued investment in their research is essential to growing our region’s role in addressing the problems faced by Americans One researcher, UT Arlington analytical chemist Daniel W. Armstrong has spent much of his professional career exploring the arrangements of atoms in molecules until you learn that roughly 75% of oral prescription medications are safer in part because of Armstrong the Food and Drug Administration in the 1990s instructed pharmaceutical companies to focus on using only the “helpful” arrangement of molecules in drugs to avoid side effects You are safer and healthier today because of this professor’s determined research Robert Rennaker and Seth Hays conceived a therapy called paired vagus nerve stimulation to rewire circuits in the brain These scientists have since refined the technique to treat a variety of disorders Food and Drug Administration approved the treatment for chronic ischemic stroke survivors increasing the effectiveness of physical rehabilitation for mobility and motor skills provides hope for a better quality of life Funding from the National Institutes of Health and additional federal government entities made these and other innovations possible at our universities Federal research funding plays a leading role in biomedical innovation we spent more than $110 million in the local economy last year on federal grants and contracts That funding translates into discoveries that lead to new products and jobs that benefit the United States We serve as presidents of two of D-FW’s Carnegie R1 universities a designation signifying the highest level of research activity and achieved by less than 5% of all universities nationwide scientists and student researchers whose work has helped propel our country’s rising standard of living and technological and military superiority A recent paper published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas found that government investments in research and development accounted for at least a fifth of U.S with implied returns of 150% to 300% for non-defense-related research funding federal investment has funded the curiosity and ingenuity of academic institutions universities have provided the expertise and research capacity to tackle complex challenges including building the next generation of energy storage advancing artificial intelligence and improving health care This model has served as the heartbeat of American innovation and a key driver of our nation’s prosperity Our ongoing research funding partnership with the federal government will ensure that innovative discoveries continue to improve the lives of Americans and people all over the world Getting to the U academic and medical campuses using public transit this summer is going to take some extra time and a fair amount of patience. On May 24, 2025, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) will begin an extended maintenance and repair project on TRAX Red Line running through August 17 Regular service is scheduled to resume on Monday UTA’s work on the Red Line will center around the Stadium Station near Rice-Eccles Stadium and at 450 East UTA said the project will replace old and worn-out parts of the Salt Lake City area railway system to ensure it continues runs effectively and safely the Red Line will not operate between Courthouse and University Medical Center Stations Red Line trains will be rerouted at Courthouse and follow the Blue Line to Salt Lake Central Station Passengers traveling to the University of Utah should plan to transfer to Routes 1 Increased bus service will be provided on these routes to accommodate TRAX Red Line riders UTA warns that significant delays up to 45 minutes can be expected so riders should plan ahead and adjust their travel as required Service on the Red Line will resume briefly from Thursday, July 3 to Saturday, July 5, 2025 for Monster Jam World Finals at Rice-Eccles Stadium FrontRunner riders who travel to destinations east of Main Street on the Red Line are encouraged to transfer to Route 2 at Salt Lake Central Station rather than transferring at Murray Central Station For construction information, visit rideuta.com/disruptions, call 833-UTA-WORK (833-882-9675) or email construction@rideuta.com Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Rasika Dias a distinguished research professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at The University of Texas at Arlington has been named a 2025 fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of chemical sciences is the world’s oldest professional society of chemists “I am honored to receive this recognition from the Royal Society of Chemistry which underscores the contributions of my research group members,” Dr He is the second chemistry faculty member to be named a Royal Society of Chemistry fellow, joining Daniel Armstrong “This is a tremendous and well-deserved honor for Dr “He has been conducting highly impactful research in inorganic and organometallic chemistry at UTA for many years He also excels in teaching and in service to the department and the University.” Related: Four UTA faculty named NAI senior members luminescent materials and reaction intermediates His research group has made several important discoveries and reported structures and properties of rare copper particularly those with small gaseous ligands such as ethylene He holds several patents and has published more than 250 articles in peer-reviewed journals Dias recently coauthored a series of papers and a patent describing the discovery of a novel class of non-porous materials that allow the separation of ethylene from ethylene-ethane mixtures to generate high-purity ethylene gas This solid materials-based olefin-paraffin separation method could serve as an alternative to the highly energy-consuming cryogenic distillation process Related: UTA chemists pioneer work to reduce carbon emissions In one of his recent collaborations, Dias coauthored a publication in Nature Communications that describes a simple path to introduce an important sulfur-containing functional group resulting in highly useful precursors for medicinal and coordination chemistry Dias has received the Wilfred T. Doherty Award of the Dallas-Fort Worth Section of the American Chemical Society (2009) and the Southwest Regional American Chemical Society Award (2009), among other honors. Most recently, he was named a 2025 senior member of the National Academy of Inventors teaching and service and is a member of the UTA Academy of Distinguished Scholars He serves or has served on the editorial advisory boards of the peer-reviewed journals Inorganic Chemistry About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond A cherished member of the Arlington community Saxe was a distinguished political scientist and a beloved professor at UTA for 53 years Some of his notable life moments included the honor of carrying the Olympic torch through Arlington a testament to his enduring spirit and dedication to his community His giving nature shone brightly as he passed the torch on symbolizing his lifelong commitment to helping others UTA Softball's home turf of Allan Saxe Field is named in honor of Dr with the facility undergoing renovations for the first time in 1993 The complex was originally built in 1974 as the Arlington Athletic Center Thanks for visiting On May 3, 2025, the Utah Transit Authority will begin performing planned maintenance and repairs on TRAX Red Line (among others) at the rail crossing on 500 South a bus bridge will be put in operation for the Red Line between the Ballpark Trax Station and the Library Station Riders should expect 15- to 30-minute delays while using the bus bridge UTA advises riders to plan their transit usage accordingly to avoid extended delays in their travel Crews will replace the grade crossing at 500 South to repair broken rail and worn components that are nearing the end of their useful life Maintaining the rail allows for continued reliable operations while in use Regular maintenance is meant to minimize future construction impacts and improve service quality one of the nation’s leading research universities Paul Peters as the new executive director of the Applied Medical & Engineering (AM&E) Lab Peters brings over 30 years of military leadership experience The Intramural Sports Pass is completely FREE during the summer students at the University of Utah Asia Campus gathered on their Incheon campus for the “Love U Letterman Jacket Bash.” Newton will officially step into her role as the new director of MCVP as of May 15 If you are a maker of handmade gifts and mementos this is a great opportunity to showcase and sell your wares The University of Utah Staff Excellence program recognizes superior service and ongoing contributions by both full-time and part-time staff members This effort reflects the university’s deep and ongoing commitment to public engagement mutually beneficial community partnerships and advancing societal impact across teaching The next Academic Senate meeting is Monday The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation and Loews Hotels & Co have made a gift to support students pursuing a career in hospitality management at The University of Texas at Arlington Located in the heart of North Texas between Dallas and Fort Worth UT Arlington is strategically positioned to advance the region’s thriving hospitality industry With the DFW Metroplex attracting more than 75 million visitors annually there is a growing need for highly skilled professionals in hospitality the UTA College of Business is launching its first hospitality management program The Texas Rangers and Loews Hotels & Co Endowed Scholarship in Hospitality Management will provide scholarship assistance to students majoring in hospitality “We are thrilled to partner with The University of Texas at Arlington to educate the next generation of hospitality professionals,” the Texas Rangers Foundation and Loews Hotels & Co said in a joint statement “We hope to inspire and empower students to achieve their dreams and contribute to the vibrant North Texas hospitality industry sector.” Related: UTA launches two new hospitality management degrees The program will feature a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Business Administration and between 300 and 500 internship hours in the industry that will prepare future leaders in restaurants “We’re grateful to both organizations for their leadership in supporting UTA helping to create the momentum we need to build a premier hospitality management program in the DFW-area and Texas,” said Michael E director of hospitality management in UTA’s College of Business About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex A new University of Texas at Arlington student organization is leading the charge in energy innovation by building a solar-battery hybrid race car to go head-to-head against teams from around the world in the collegiate solar car competition The Blaze Raycers consists of about 15 engineering students, but is open to all majors, said Chris Boyer, the Raycers’ advisor and a director in UT Arlington’s Resource and Energy Engineering program. “We’re excited to launch this initiative and empower students to push the boundaries of optimizing an energy system through collection “Our team is passionate about building the car and driving efficient use of energy sources.” The team is designing its first car and building it from scratch. The students plan to compete in the 2026 Formula Sun Grand Prix, a race held on a closed course, and the American Solar Challenge build and drive solar-powered cars over a 1,500-2,000-mile course across multiple cities These solar cars can reach a speed of up to 55 mph.  Related: Engines roar at UTA’s autocross weekend “Our team’s goal is to give members real-world hands-on experience in engineering,” said William Bourgeois a resource and energy engineering major who serves as president and project manager of the Blaze Raycers “Anyone can read a textbook and memorize formulas but applying those concepts in a practical setting is a whole different skill we’re not just building a car; we’re building a team legacy at UT Arlington.” He said the team’s goal for next year is to finish in the top half of the field The plan is to build a car that prioritizes reliability and efficiency over speed or weight the Blaze Raycers can position UTA as a leader in innovation a resource and energy engineering major and the operations lead and treasurer of the Raycers said he never imagined he’d be building a race car from the ground up—or helping to launch such a forward-thinking organization Related: Next-level transport could be coming for 2026 World Cup “I want to have fun taking on this engineering challenge,” Ponce said “It is a pleasure to work alongside great students and advisors to make this dream come to life Bourgeois said the team has restored an old terrain vehicle—now nicknamed E-Buggy—to explore suspension setups braking systems and electric drivetrain integration The students are also working on a solar-powered cart to gain insights into energy storage system monitoring and solar array management but the most important thing is that we are learning along the way,” said Jordan Nalepka a resource and energy engineering major and vice president of the Raycers I hope to have gained practical experience and learned lessons in problem-solving and overcoming design challenges.” Having hands-on experience building a car is invaluable as students graduate and look for jobs an aerospace engineering major and the aero lead for the team “I love building and learning about all things mechanical,” Asaolu said “This project has been more than I could dream.” UTAis the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university There’s no easy place to start the story of John Shirley a 60-year-old Navy veteran now just days away from graduating with two degrees from The University of Texas at Arlington Shirley grew up in Henderson, Kentucky, a small town along the Ohio River in the tristate area where Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois meet. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for eight years, including three on active duty in the late 1980s aboard the USS Cochrane Shirley spent the next couple of decades working a variety of jobs while also facing serious medical challenges Following six surgeries and with his cancer in remission Shirley made a bold decision in November 2021 In his mid-50s and with no close family or strong ties keeping him in Kentucky He briefly stayed at a homeless shelter in South Dallas He believed a college degree was the key to a better life he took a major step and enrolled at UT Arlington he will walk across the graduation stage at Globe Life Field in Arlington as a double major earning bachelor’s degrees in real estate and finance.  I’ll be the first one in my family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree “It’s a major life accomplishment Education is always a pathway to a better life Being around younger students helps me feel young again It’s encouraging to see others pushing through similar struggles My message to anyone considering going back to college—if I can make it Related: Gift empowers UTA students overcoming hardship Shirley is more focused on the future than the past He is exploring opportunities with major financial institutions and even considering starting his own real estate company Those ambitions became possible through UTA “UTA has been great,” Shirley said. “I’ve really enjoyed talking with the professors who genuinely want to help students succeed. I also appreciate the support from Military and Veteran Services—they provide solid guidance I’d recommend UTA to anyone looking to earn a degree—not just veterans Shirley found the support and resources that helped him thrive he became a well-known and respected figure on campus Related: UTA named top public university for veterans in Texas “John Shirley is a one-in-a-thousand student, but those students are why you come back to teach,” said Steve Isbell a senior lecturer in UTA’s Department of Finance and Real Estate “The fact that John is an adult learner coming back to college and overcoming tremendous obstacles—and being a veteran—doing what he did at our age is hard it was just an honor to have him in my class Isbell added that teaching veterans like Shirley is particularly rewarding “Most of the time—if not always—a veteran in my class will stand out simply because they have a maturity and they also have a desire,” he said “They just come into it more serious It doesn’t matter what branch they’re from.” Related: UTA earns gold for supporting military students UTA is home to more than 5,000 military-connected students including 3,000 military children or spouses It earned a 2025-26 Military Friendly® School Gold Level ranking and is consistently ranked in the Military Times’ Best for Vets colleges list Many veterans such as Shirley—a former gunner’s mate missile technician aboard the 440-foot USS Cochrane a guided missile destroyer that sailed the South China Sea during his active duty days—find community through UTA’s Military and Veteran Services office they connect over shared military experiences and support one another through the challenges of college life “I like having other veterans around—it makes you feel like you’re always on the same level,” Shirley said but having other veterans to talk to makes a difference.” About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)  Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex Imagine trying to tell identical twins apart just by looking at their fingerprints That’s how challenging it can be for scientists to distinguish the tiny powdery pollen grains produced by fir But a new artificial intelligence system developed by researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington the University of Nevada and Virginia Tech is making that task a lot easier—and potentially bringing big relief to allergy sufferers “This is especially important in high-traffic areas like schools Health services could also use this information to better time allergy alerts public health messaging and treatment recommendations during peak pollen seasons.” Pollen analysis is a powerful method for reconstructing historical ecosystems Preserved pollen grains in lakebeds and peat bogs offer detailed records of past plant communities Since plant distribution is tightly linked to environmental factors such as temperature identifying the types of pollen present in different layers of sediment can reveal how ecosystems have responded to natural climate fluctuations over time and how they might react in the future “Even with high-resolution microscopes the differences between pollens are very subtle,” Dr “Our study shows deep-learning tools can significantly enhance the speed and accuracy of pollen classification That opens the door to large-scale environmental monitoring and more detailed reconstructions of ecological change It also holds promise for improving allergen tracking by identifying exactly which species are releasing pollen and when.” Related: The impact of climate change on food production Balmaki adds that the research could also benefit agriculture “Pollen is a strong indicator of ecosystem health,” she said “Shifts in pollen composition can signal changes in vegetation moisture levels and even past fire activity Farmers could use this information to track long-term environmental trends that affect crop viability soil conditions or regional climate patterns It’s also useful for wildlife and pollinator conservation including insects like bees and butterflies rely on specific plants for food and habitat By identifying which plant species are present or declining in an area we can better understand how these changes impact the entire food web and take steps to protect critical relationships between plants and pollinators.” Related: Harmful microplastics infiltrating drinking water the team examined historical samples of fir spruce and pine trees preserved by the University of Nevada’s Museum of National History They tested those samples using nine different AI models demonstrating the technology’s strong potential to identify pollen with impressive speed and accuracy “This shows that deep learning can successfully support and even exceed traditional identification methods in both speed and accuracy,” Balmaki said “But it also confirms how essential human expertise still is You need well-prepared samples and a strong understanding of ecological context This isn’t just about machines—it’s a collaboration between technology and science.” Balmaki and her collaborators plan to expand their research to include a wider range of plant species Their goal is to develop a comprehensive pollen identification system that can be applied across different regions of the United States to better understand how plant communities may shift in response to extreme weather events actor and author Ice-T will share stories from his extraordinary life and a career that made him into a cultural icon as the featured guest in The University of Texas at Arlington’s next Maverick Speakers Series event on April 16 Titled “Overcoming Adversity: From the Streets to Stardom,” Ice-T’s talk will reflect on the challenges he’s faced and how he built a career that spans music The sold-out event begins at 7:30 p.m. at UT Arlington’s Texas Hall (701 W. Nedderman Dr., Arlington). Standby tickets are available at utatickets.com. Before his talk Ice-T will teach a “master class” to a group of UTA students Ice-T’s background has made him a powerful voice for young people he lost his parents before age 11 and was sent to Los Angeles to live with an aunt who struggled with alcoholism Related: John Quiñones kicks off UTA’s Maverick Speakers Series Ice-T broke into the entertainment industry pioneering the West Coast “gangsta” rap style with songs like “6 in the Mornin’” and “New Jack Hustler.” He went on to build a successful acting career in film and television and he currently stars as Detective Odafin Tutuola in NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” The show is the longest-running TV drama in history he has served as a spokesperson for major brands including Tide He’s also the author of four books and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023 Related: Festival of Ideas celebrates UTA’s legacy and future UTA’s Maverick Speakers Series is celebrating its 17th season For more information on Ice-T’s Maverick Speaker Series appearance, visit www.uta.edu/maverickspeakers Jamila Thomas loves bringing her 11-year-old daughter Jaidence to The University of Texas at Arlington’s Little Mavs Movement Academy now in its 13th year of helping children with motor or developmental disabilities build everyday skills like buttoning a shirt Jaidence literally runs inside,” Thomas said “To have a community that is specifically for her where she can have some fun and be herself and hang out with mentors It’s really a blessing since there sometimes aren’t a lot of resources available.” As National Autism Acceptance Month and World Autism Month conclude and interest remains high in understanding autism UT Arlington remains a leader in providing essential support for neurodivergent children The Motor Development Lab at UT Arlington offers programs such as the Little Mavs Movement Academy and a variety of campus resources to promote long-term success for eligible individuals with neurodivergent conditions associate professor of kinesiology in UTA’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation the cost of a comprehensive evaluation by a professional can range between $1,000 and $5,000 and scheduling an evaluation can be challenging because of long wait times and limited availability of specialists UTA’s Little Mavs Movement Academy provides a rare opportunity for families with children who have neurodivergent conditions to gather with others facing similar challenges in a fun and supportive environment about 30 children ages 4-13 and their parents attend 10 one-hour sessions once a week some driving up to 90 minutes to reach campus Families such as the Thomases see firsthand the care and support of the UTA community “It really is an awakening to what UTA is all about,” Thomas said “It’s wonderful what the University is doing across the board.” Along with the Little Mavs Movement Academy Tamplain directs the Motor Development Lab at UT Arlington which serves primarily to investigate the development of motor behavior in children and adolescents by exploring screening and diagnostic tools related to motor coordination disorders in children training and rehabilitation protocols that can improve those difficulties “Parents tell me all the time that they’re worried about their child’s motor skills,” Tamplain said ‘I used to have to walk around with wipes to clean his face at age 10.’ That was really striking to me There’s a huge need to develop adequate motor skills in these children It’s kind of the missing puzzle piece in the autism profile.” UTA’s comprehensive infrastructure to support children with neurodivergent conditions extends to its own students. The Learning Access Center provides a welcoming environment for students diagnosed with autism offering support and resources aimed to help neurodivergent students navigate life on campus and succeed in the classroom providing her a unique perspective when working with the children and families who attend the Little Mavs Movement Academy Alvarez wasn’t diagnosed until her 30s but said she grew up knowing something was off with her motor skills Her experiences as a volunteer at Little Mavs convinced her to change her career path to focus on helping children with neurodivergent conditions “When I started working with these kids volunteering as a motor skills interventionist I really found my purpose,” Alvarez said “The research and work really healed a little piece of me as a neurodivergent person in understanding why I was so clumsy growing up—why I still am so clumsy.” Tamplain and Alvarez are among the few researchers in the nation studying motor behavior in autistic children Tamplain said emphasis is often placed on improving the social and communication skills of neurodivergent children rather than their daily motor skills even though data shows that 90% of autistic children struggle with motor difficulties Alvarez personally knows the benefits that are provided through UTA’s Learning Access Center “Our students are incredibly capable and have so much to offer the world,” said Misty Hogg “Our role is to ensure they reach their fullest potential.” The Little Mavs Movement Academy is accepting applications for the fall 2025 semester. Families interested in applying should visit littlemavs.uta.edu. Current students interested in learning more about the Learning Access Center should visit https://www.uta.edu/student-affairs/sarcenter/learning-access-center Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System The University of Texas at Arlington is launching two new degree programs to prepare students for leadership roles in the expanding hospitality industry across North Texas and beyond students can pursue either a Bachelor of Business Administration or a Bachelor of Science in hospitality management through UT Arlington’s College of Business Both programs are designed to meet the region’s growing workforce needs and offer a strong foundation in business management and leadership Courses will cover topics such as hotel and restaurant management “Hospitality a global industry and is projected to be one of the fastest growing fields over the next 10 years,” said Michael Nalley “When a student gets a bachelor’s degree in hospitality From hotels and restaurants to theme parks and entertainment venues any facet of the industry is available to them.” Hospitality management spans a wide range of industries UTA’s curriculum will connect students with hospitality-focused companies and organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth region offering valuable hands-on learning experiences “We’re preparing students not just to navigate customer service but also to manage and deliver results,” Dr “We’re lucky to be in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth because we have so many partners to offer our students internships and learning opportunities to ensure they meet industry needs and excel upon graduation.” Designed to prepare students for careers with both major hospitality brands and small businesses the new degrees will offer UTA students a wide range of professional opportunities “These programs really speak to students who have a passion for service leadership for those looking at an entrepreneurial path,” Nalley said “They are for students who want to be a part of something or start something bigger than they are It’s for those who want to make a difference not only regionally To learn more about the new degree programs, email Michael Nalley at michael.nalley@uta.edu The University of Texas at Arlington is proud to announce that it is partnering with HKS, an award-winning global architecture firm, and Hensel Phelps, a leading national general contractor and design-builder, to design and build the initial facility and related infrastructure for UTA West This collaboration marks a bold step forward for the new campus which will be located in west Fort Worth and dedicated to fostering economic development and meeting the future educational needs of one of the fastest growing areas in the country renowned for its cutting-edge designs and transformative projects will bring its world-class expertise to transform UTA West into a dynamic which has worked extensively with the UT System “The boldest dreams need a visionary and ambitious team if they are to be realized,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said the team we have assembled will ensure UTA West’s development aligns with our strategic plan supporting our mission of excellence in education This partnership is a result of a competitive selection process that the University undertook to identify the best team to bring UTA West to life Both firms specialize in the type of sustainable innovative design and construction that align perfectly with UTA’s mission to create spaces that empower students and strengthen community connections They have built and designed iconic and impactful educational spaces across the country “It was extremely important to appoint a design-build team that will respect the natural beauty of the site establish design standards that will guide future development of UTA West and bring proven experience to execute the program and construction documents successfully,” said John Hall UTA vice president for administration and economic development “HKS and Hensel Phelps is certainly that team We look forward to continuing to collaborate and partner with the Fort Worth and Parker County communities to offer access to a tier one higher education experience that develops the region’s future workforce,” Hall added The firms will soon begin the first phase of the UTA West design It will focus on creating a primary identity for the campus by envisioning a landmark building and a public space where students can connect and innovate HKS will look to create a campus that embraces its environment drawing inspiration from nature in and around Parker County to develop a unique space for UTA West “The needs of students and faculty are shifting at an ever-accelerating pace,” said Leonardo Gonzalez Sangri “Preparing for careers that we can’t yet fully anticipate demands a careful and purposeful approach We are excited to bring decades of expertise a passion for innovation and our evidence-based and research-informed approach to collaborate with The University of Texas at Arlington in creating a new campus that meets this challenge and sets a standard for the future of education.” “As a Building Design + Construction-designated top-ranked university contractor with over $5 billion in successfully delivered higher education projects Hensel Phelps embraces these challenges while focusing on safety schedule and budget control,” said Michael Orlowski “Our years of higher education experience combined with this attention to client satisfaction have helped us establish best practices related to campus safety and communication meeting schedules to align with campus events and engaging multiple stakeholders.” On April 3, UTA officials and community and industry leaders celebrated an important milestone in the development of UTA West with a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony The University expects to begin welcoming students at the new campus as early as fall 2028 with infrastructure installation starting later this year and development beginning in 2026 UTA West will be advantageously positioned at the intersection of I-30 and I-20 at the western gateway of Fort Worth within the Walsh Ranch development and will be a part of a multi-year plan to serve more than 10,000 students Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex HKS is an interdisciplinary global design firm of 1,500 architects The firm partners with clients to design and develop elegant solutions to complex challenges From iconic gathering places to healing environments HKS designs enhance experiences and elevate outcomes for all stakeholders The firm’s work is inspired by curiosity driven by research and technology and informed by a deep understanding of human and environmental needs HKS is proud to be a carbon neutral firm since 2023 Founded in 1937, Hensel Phelps is a leading general contractor and design-builder specializing in building development As one of the largest employee-owned companies in the U.S. Hensel Phelps takes a comprehensive approach to turning clients’ visions into reality 8 design-build firm by Engineering News-Record and No 16 in university work by Building Design + Construction in 2024 the company has delivered over $9.5 billion and more than 21 million square feet in the sector Hensel Phelps has worked extensively with The University of Texas System over the last 40 years providing design-build and construction manager-at-risk services at multiple campuses Hensel Phelps has delivered 46 projects worth over $3 billion spanning more than 12 million square feet for the System The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) broke ground Thursday morning on UTA West, its highly anticipated campus to be located on the western edge of Fort Worth, during a ceremonial event that marked a major step in the University’s expansion Situated on a 51-acre site within the Walsh Ranch development on the border of west Fort Worth and Parker County near Aledo UTA West will feature cutting-edge academic and research facilities that will bring together students faculty and industry leaders to drive innovation and workforce development By fostering collaboration in high-demand fields the campus will play a crucial role in supplying a highly skilled homegrown workforce to support the region’s continued growth UTA West’s strategic location near the intersection of interstates 20 and 30 positions it as a key educational and research hub for the expanding North Texas economy "We’re standing, literally, at the border of the second-fastest-growing major city in the country. This area is growing fast, and so is the need for access to a top-tier university,” said UTA President Jennifer Cowley emphasizing the importance of this development “We know the people of Fort Worth and Parker County want a national research university to provide workforce development and R&D support to area businesses—and to keep their great students close by.” Milliken were scheduled to attend the ceremony Eltife emphasized the significance of the UTA West campus in expanding access and opportunity “That includes growing our UT institutions to meet the needs of a booming region,” Eltife said “The regents and I are especially grateful to President Cowley and the leadership of Fort Worth and Parker County for setting UTA West in motion.” Chancellor Milliken added that “At its founding Fort Worth sat on the physical frontier of a fast-growing young state and country and today it stands as an epicenter of economic development and prosperity We are honored to have UT Arlington play a leadership role in opening new fields of opportunity and development of the region." UTA West is projected to welcome its inaugural class in fall 2028 The campus is designed to expand in step with regional population growth which is expected to continue well into the next decade Parker County’s population increased 19.4% making it the third-fastest-growing county in Texas while Fort Worth remains one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation “UTA West will be an economic powerhouse to this region,” said John Hall the campus is projected to generate over $200 million in economic impact The campus will serve as a hub for innovation industry partnerships and workforce development all key drivers of progress in Fort Worth and North Texas.” opportunities and quality urban development “UTA’s decision to join Walsh is transformative,” Dickerson said “It is going to make where you're standing today—all of this space—an incredible place to be UTA ranks among the top 5% of research universities in the United States The establishment of UTA West reflects its commitment to increasing access to high-quality education while driving economic development in the region To facilitate community engagement and provide information about the new campus UTA will open an office later this spring in Willow Park Prospective students and their families will be able to visit this location to learn about admissions financial aid and other essential services “Our Arlington campus started 130 years ago in a small wood-frame building The scene probably looked a little like this,” Dr becoming a national research university and an engine for growth—academically and economically That’s our shared vision for UTA West.” Cowley acknowledged the vital role of UTA’s civic partners in Fort Worth and Tarrant and Parker counties in making UTA West a reality She also recognized the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership and Weatherford chambers for their support in expanding educational opportunities in the region “The desire for a top-tier research university in this region is undeniable,” Cowley said The new UTA campus expands the University’s decades-long partnership with Fort Worth In 1986, the UTA Research Institute was established in east Fort Worth the facility conducts $16 million annually in research focused on advanced controls and sensors biomedical technologies and predictive performance In 2007, the UTA Fort Worth Center opened in downtown Fort Worth focused on serving working professionals by connecting education with careers offers high-quality academic programs that meet the needs of students and the 21st-century workforce the principal research center for the College of Architecture The Institute’s mandated mission is to conduct research and provide technical assistance to city and county governments and nonprofit organizations and to offer education and teaching opportunities to individuals either already in or contemplating public service careers the University is poised to build on its legacy of research excellence and educational access strengthening North Texas’ future for generations to come The Drum caught up with Julian Jacobs at Possible to hear how culture commerce and storytelling are converging – and what that means for CMOs Julian Jacobs started in the mail room at UTA he’s helping the world’s biggest brands write themselves into the script of modern culture Now heading up UTA’s entertainment marketing practice with co-head David Anderson – an 80-strong team spanning LA London and Atlanta – Jacobs sits at the epicenter of a rapidly evolving ecosystem where advertisers “We’ve doubled the size of the team in two years Our client base has nearly tripled,” he told The Drum at Possible in Miami “That’s a signal of where this is all going.” Forget the cliches about shoving a soft drink into a movie scene Jacobs says UTA’s value lies in its privileged view of what’s coming next – across streaming and studio is working on from the earliest stages,” he said but it was the first time a platform partnered with a brand not around a single title but its entire universe,” Jacobs explained EVs featured in every Netflix original – and a 7% bump in GM’s stock price the next day following the announcement of the partnership.” CMOs are increasingly waking up to the fact that attention doesn’t live in ad breaks you’ve got to be in it for the long haul,” said Jacobs UTA’s work with Eli Lilly offers a telling example “We helped them commission research with the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative which showed how conditions like Alzheimer’s and obesity were either misrepresented or invisible on screen,” he explained That led to a wave of storytelling initiatives – pairing the pharma giant with production houses like Imagine Entertainment – to reshape how audiences see illness But for brands serious about long-term resonance One fast-moving trend Jacobs highlighted is the rise of premium long-form storytelling built specifically for social platforms “You’re seeing brands and creators skip the tag-and-post stuff and make proper shows Jacobs believes this could be the next evolution of influencer marketing “The platforms like YouTube Red and TikTok’s creator fund came and went brands are the ones funding these stories.” UTA doesn’t just represent brands – it represents talent regardless of whether they’re repped by UTA,” he said The bespoke nature of this work makes it hard to systemize – but not impossible Jacobs points to virtual product placement as one area seeing rapid growth which uses AI to insert brands into films post-production,” he said “It’s not just future content – it’s stuff already in the library That blend of creativity and scale could be a holy grail for CMOs “You can start to look at some of this like a CPM,” he said “But a lot of it still comes down to finding the right idea Catch up on the most important stories of the day Stay up to date with a curated digest of the most important marketing stories and expert insights from our global team Learn how to pitch to our editors and get published on The Drum but its structure is increasingly ecosystemic Alongside its talent representation engine and last year acquired Ziad Ahmed’s Gen Z agency which now curates sessions on youth culture UTA is becoming the connector-in-chief for marketers navigating this complex cultural terrain they don’t just know what’s trending – they know what’s coming “Before Live Nation even starts talking to sponsors Utah transit officials are warning TRAX riders to prepare for a week of major delays on all three of its lines as crews carry out maintenance work along a critical section of the track in Salt Lake City Construction work to repair the rail crossing by Main Street and 500 South is scheduled to begin on Saturday causing large impacts to the full TRAX system as the Blue Green and Red lines all share that section of the line Delays of up to 15-45 minutes across all lines are possible until service returns to normal on Saturday bus bridges will be set up for all three lines: The agency set up signs at all the stations posted about it on social media and even put warnings on its online schedule to get the word out before the closure Although rail maintenance projects are common there’s a larger focus on this one because it’s a rail section used by all three lines the fact that it’s going to affect all three lines it’s triply important to get the word out and let people know what to expect,” he said We’ll still be able to get people from A to B.” The rail section has reached the end of its service life which causes all sorts of trouble if it’s not repaired Repairs aim to protect the service life of the trains while improving the quality for riders riders traveling from one end of the bus bridge to the other will likely experience the longest delays Crews will be working around the clock to get the line operational again but that also means residents could deal with noise dust and vibration impacts at all times during the closure The construction is also expected to impact traffic at the Main Street intersection with 500 South Lane shifts and work zones are planned during the TRAX closure although there will still be access in and out of businesses like the Grand America and Little America hotels More information can be found on UTA’s website environmental monitoring and national defense Sun is a trailblazer in multidisciplinary research whose transformative advancements have significantly impacted devices we rely on every day to diagnose and treat disease communicate with others and allow our military to keep us safe,” said Kate C vice president of research and innovation at UT Arlington The Academy of Distinguished Researchers, previously called the Academy of Distinguished Scholars is the most prestigious research and scholarship award at UT Arlington It is reserved for faculty who have made substantial contributions to research and have achieved significant recognition in their respective fields “I’m humbled to receive this award,” said Sun in biomedical engineering from the University of Michigan and completed her postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health “I am grateful to my multidisciplinary colleagues and wonderful students at UTA over the years who have helped me conduct so much exciting research.” Sun has secured more than $8 million in external research funding from premier organizations including the National Science Foundation (NSF) Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research This sustained support showcases her ability to deliver high-impact research aligned with the missions of these competitive agencies NSF has supported her work consistently for more than a decade—a testament to the strength and innovation of her ideas “The Academy exemplifies UTA’s commitment to exemplary research and creative activity Sun’s outstanding research accomplishments as well as her commitment to her colleagues at UTA,” Dr “As she continues her groundbreaking academic career Sun’s work promises to redefine industries and influence technologies shaping health care sustainability and defense for years to come.” highlighting its real-world relevance and innovation Related: Four UTA faculty named National Academy of Inventors senior members Sun is a dedicated educator who has mentored eight doctoral and 17 undergraduate students many of whom have earned accolades in their respective fields She has also developed new courses at UTA in areas such as nanotechnology and photonics consistently receiving exceptional student evaluations and demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing engineering education Her contributions have earned numerous honors, including the NSF CAREER Award, UTA’s University Award for Outstanding Research Achievement and Creative Accomplishment, and the College of Engineering Lawrence Stephens Award for Outstanding Research Her leadership roles extend beyond UTA to the broader scientific community participating in international conferences that promote global collaboration Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex Three University of Texas at Arlington faculty members were recognized for their research and creative contributions as part of the faculty research honors received the University Award for Outstanding Research or Creative Accomplishment Jones and Liu have dedicated their careers to helping UT Arlington students learn and prepare for their future careers while they have been making invaluable contributions to their scholarly fields,” said Beth Wright professor of art history and chair of the UTA Academy of Distinguished Researchers that oversees the faculty research honors program “They serve as exemplars of creative and impactful research scholarship Their work is recognized and celebrated nationally and internationally representing UT Arlington with distinction and honor.” The trio received their awards during a ceremony at UTA on April 22 Nominated by UTA’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Brown’s interdisciplinary research focuses on the social and structural factors that shape reproductive and cardiac health among women She established the Black Maternal and Reproductive Health Summit at UTA the only academic conference of its kind in North Texas focused on exploring solutions for optimal maternal health outcomes Related: Sun earns UTA’s highest research honor In addition, she created the Maternal and Reproductive Health Equity Research Lab at UTA to research and create community-driven health solutions for women Brown has mentored more than 35 undergraduate and graduate researchers and mentored 11 faculty members She currently has five funded research grants totaling $4.4 million "I am deeply honored to receive this award and extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this possible,” Brown said “This recognition is a testament to the collaborative spirit and dedication of my colleagues supporters and patients who inspire me daily.” Nominated by UTA’s College of Science, Jones’ research focuses on studying neutrinos one of the most abundant particles with mass in the universe Scientists believe that understanding neutrinos can help explain mysteries of the universe Jones has been at the forefront of creating new tools to help measure these elusive particles using interdisciplinary techniques from optics Jones’ research has received $5 million in federal research grants from the Department of Energy He has also authored more than 450 research papers “It’s an honor to receive this award from my colleagues at UTA,” Jones said “I want to thank the talented graduate and undergraduate students who have collaborated with me on research through the years This award is really a recognition of the whole team.” Related: UTA undergraduate researcher receives national honors The College of Science also nominated J. Ping Liu, recognizing his long career at UTA. Liu is a well-recognized leader in the field of critical and rare earth materials and magnetism—items critical to everyday technological devices like laptops "Receiving this award is a moment of great pride and humility after working at UTA for 23 years,” Liu said “I am humbled and grateful to my family friends and colleagues who have supported and helped me in the past decades." The University of Texas at Arlington has been recognized as one of the nation’s top universities for expanding access to higher education and helping graduates earn competitive wages, according to newly updated Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education released Thursday by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching which is designed to assess how well institutions provide students with pathways to competitive wages and long-term success UTA scored in the highest quotient for both Among the 31 public institutions in Texas that award baccalaureate degrees and above and are included in the Student Access and Earnings Classification UTA is just one of three to rank in the top 10 for both categories—No Within the UT System’s nine academic institutions “As we mark 130 years of impact, this recognition serves as a powerful reminder of who we are and why we do this work,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said “UTA has long been committed to providing an education that transforms lives and strengthens our communities and to be ranked among the top institutions for both student access and earnings affirms our mission to serve students and help them build lives of purpose Related: UTA retains top-tier U.S. research status UTA is among 479 institutions designated as Opportunity Colleges and Universities institutions that serve as models for how campuses can advance student success UTA is newly classified as a “Professions-Focused Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate Large” institution reflecting its emphasis on professional fields such as business UTA also offer a wide range of liberal arts disciplines and provides more than 180 degree programs in nine colleges and schools graduates gain access to a wide range of industries UTA's location in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth region—one of the fastest-growing areas in the U.S and home to 24 Fortune 500 companies—enables a high percentage of alumni to remain in North Texas and contribute to UTA’s annual economic impact of $28.8 billion to the state Related: UTA’s 23 patents strengthen UT System’s No. 3 ranking The Carnegie Classification earnings ratio ranks UTA alumni among the highest earners eight years post-enrollment among graduates from those 31 public Texas institutions included in the classification UTA is one of just four whose graduates earn over $60,000 eight years post-enrollment “Carnegie’s revised classification system recognizes our efforts to meet the diverse needs of our students,” UTA Provost Tamara L “These efforts are central to the Maverick Promise which is our commitment to supporting students in remaining enrolled graduating in a timely fashion and entering the workforce prepared to excel UTA’s high rankings in student access and earnings reflect our commitment to deliver unique solutions to Maverick students.” Related: UTA advances in national ranking which fully covers their tuition and mandatory fees Of UTA’s nearly 30,000 undergraduate students The Pell Grant is a federal grant that provides financial aid to eligible undergraduate students with exceptional financial need that does not have to be repaid “The majority of students apply to college with the hope it is a path to opportunity and the job they’ve dreamt about,” said Timothy F.C “This work is about ensuring that institutions are recognized when they empower students to reach their goals and succeed.” Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex ABC4 Utah A Utah Transit Authority rail maintenance worker has passed away after being struck by a vehicle while working in Murray late April We kicked off the work week with soggy weather and lingering moisture will spell a few more showers today before things start clearing out Whether it's a domesticated animal or a wild animal it's important to know what to do when seeing either one out in the wild The West Valley City Police Department (WVCPD) has arrested a woman on allegations of child abuse after a 5-year-old child was found with blood on their face and soaked with water George has agreed to move a new power substation to a different plot of land in the city preserving an excavation site right across the street from the St UDOT crews have been working for weeks to clear Guardsman Pass to get it ready for the summer season Could grizzly bears cross Utah’s border soon What to keep in mind to stay safe during spring runoff Barbershop hosting free haircuts in honor of Sgt Progress on preparing Guardsman Pass to reopen the department lost its first officer in the line of duty when Sgt Bill Hooser was struck and killed by a suspect in a semi-truck during a traffic stop the friends he made on the force are remembering him as one of the most dedicated officers who took work seriously but also made an emphasis to build relationships A low-pressure system is working its way through the region and will settle over the Four Corners more compact low drops in on the west side of the main low Genevieve Graaf spent years as a mental health social worker specializing in children and youth with complex behavioral health needs. Many had to travel to other states or hundreds of miles from family to access adequate medical care. Drawing on her experience, Dr. Graaf an assistant professor of social work at The University of Texas at Arlington has continuously sought ways to improve community-based support programs and ease the burden on families She will build on that work with her latest research through UT Arlington’s Center for Innovation in Health Informatics (CIHI) which recently received funding from the Raj Nooyi Endowed Research Award Fund Graaf’s project was one of two selected for inaugural seed grants from the award The other project, led by Salman Sohrabi an assistant professor of bioengineering at UTA The seed grants were made possible by a $5 million gift from Raj Nooyi (’78 MS to position UTA at the forefront of the growing health informatics field Related: Raj and Indra Nooyi make $5 million gift to UTA “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Raj Nooyi for his generous support,” said Marion Ball executive director for CIHI and the Raj and Indra Nooyi Endowed Distinguished Chair in Bioengineering “His funding for a seed grant initiative was instrumental in encouraging our researchers to refine their ideas and submit impactful proposals to national funding agencies and foundations Graaf’s project will examine four distinct populations of children—those with physical disabilities intellectual or developmental disabilities complex behavioral health needs and complex medical needs the study will assess and compare child and family characteristics; health care and support service needs; and the social community and educational challenges each group faces “Our study will aid state policymakers and administrators in monitoring performance evaluating programs and designing more responsive community-support initiatives for these children and their families,” Graaf said Sohrabi will lead a study on healthy aging focusing “not merely on prolonging life “I am passionate about translating discoveries in aging biology into meaningful interventions that improve health and quality of life,” Sohrabi said “My work focuses on extending reproductive longevity preventing neurodegeneration in conditions such as Alzheimer’s By targeting the underlying mechanisms of age-related decline I aim to promote healthier aging.”  To uncover the molecular basis of healthy aging Sohrabi said researchers must continuously and quantitatively study the progressive decline of various biological functions over time The most effective way to do this is through short-lived millimeter-sized model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans (C elegans)—a tiny transparent worm often used in research to study genetics aging and disease—that allow real-time monitoring of age-related changes over just a few weeks “Our research aims to uncover the mechanisms that either compromise health or extend the health span by developing a novel approach to quantifying quality of life independently of lifespan,” Sohrabi said Utah — The driver who allegedly struck and injured two Utah Transit Authority employees in Murray before fleeing the scene has turned himself in could face charges of failure to remain at an accident involving serious injury According to court documents obtained by FOX 13 News four UTA maintenance employees had just gotten off the tracks near 5900 South and 300 West at approximately 1:30 a.m when two of the workers went to raise the rail wheels on their vehicle they were both hit by a white SUV while in the crosswalk First responders transported two of the workers to the hospital and was put on a ventilator to receive oxygen making the service better and safer and here this unfortunate situation where two of them were hit by a hit and run driver Work family is a phrase that gets tossed around a lot but it certainly applies here," shared UTA spokesperson Gavin Gustafson which investigators were able to connect to Brandon Palma Detectives say that the description of Palma given by the witness matched identifiers returned by a statewide database search for Brandon Murray detectives were then able to use license plate reader data for the history on the Acura which showed it had been parked at an apartment complex near the crash they found Palma's girlfriend and her mother They showed officers text messages from Palma's mother speaking about the crash and how he didn't want it reported Palma called detectives from his mother's phone and told officers that he wanted to turn himself in officers took him to the hospital to be evaluated before being transported to the Salt Lake County Jail Thanks for visiting The University of Texas at Arlington’s Maverick Stadium typically reserved for high school football games and other sporting events transformed into a high-tech flight arena last weekend as engineering students from Texas and across the southeastern United States maneuvered custom-built drones in a competition of precision and innovation The fifth annual Autonomous Vehicle Competition featured university drone teams from Texas The competitors designed and operated drones capable of performing complex tasks target identification and precise payload delivery “This has been an incredible experience allowing me to not only build and fly a drone but also experience working within a large team to meet a goal,” said Alex Andonov a UT Arlington senior engineering student and the lead on UT Arlington’s electrical engineering team “I learned so much about autonomous vehicles and applied my classroom knowledge to this project.” The competition featured two main challenges: First each drone had to scout the football field to identify the correct payload delivery zone it had to accurately deliver the payload there Related: UTA to build netted drone facility in Fort Worth UTA’s drone team finished second overall It debuted an innovative new drone design built for both performance and resiliency UTA students used carbon plating in the frame crash-resistant drone that better protects its internal components “We started work on this drone and its new tech in August and we’ve had 13 design iterations before settling on this,” said Arian Tashakori a UTA mechanical engineering senior and member of the mechanical engineering team collaborating with teammates from other disciplines was a valuable learning experience I don’t know much about mechanical engineering or computer science,” Boone said Related: Outdoor drone facility takes flight The UTA drone team includes 15 students from across the College of Engineering professor of electrical engineering and the team’s faculty advisor said the competition gives the students a unique opportunity to solve real-world problems in a team environment “This industry-sponsored competition allows our students to work through engineering challenges they’ll face after graduation,” Dr “Many of the teams are multidisciplinary so it involves working with people from other disciplines and learning how to communicate those needs and requirements.” Four University of Texas at Arlington faculty members have been named Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors for their outstanding achievements in innovation National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Senior Members are active faculty scientists and administrators who have demonstrated success in patents licensing and commercialization—and whose innovations have made a tangible impact on society “UTA has a strong legacy of innovation Shiakolas and Yuan recognized for their outstanding research discoveries,” said Kate Miller UTA’s vice president for research and innovation “Their work exemplifies the University’s commitment to fostering groundbreaking discoveries that make an economic and societal impact.” Related: UTA faculty named National Academy of Inventors Senior Members (2024) Related: UTA researcher named National Academy of Inventors fellow Meet UTA’s newest NAI Senior Members: They hold two patents related to oral hygiene “I am grateful to my peers and collaborators who have long inspired a spirit of creativity and emphasized the value of innovation,” Cameron said Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Dias focuses on homogeneous catalysis, ethylene chemistry He holds several patents and has published more than 250 peer-reviewed articles “This acknowledgment serves as a testament to the exceptional quality of the many remarkable students and scientists I have had the pleasure of working with on our research team over the years,” Dias said His focus includes micro-devices for medical diagnostics human-robot interaction for assistive robotics and prosthetics and additive manufacturing He also works to advance STEM education as director of UTA’s Manufacturing Medical Automation and Robotic Systems Lab “My research success would not be possible without the contributions from mentors and mentees I’ve worked with throughout my career,” Shiakolas said “I share this award with them.” Yuan has developed innovative cancer imaging and treatment technologies using optical and ultrasound techniques His work includes high-resolution imaging for deep tissue and ultrasound-mediated methods for detecting small tumors in hard-to-reach areas of the body “Innovation is at the heart of my research and this recognition reinforces my commitment to developing cutting-edge biomedical imaging technologies that push the boundaries of science and health care,” Yuan said.” Game Recap: Softball | 4/27/2025 3:40:00 PM Utah - The UT Arlington Mavericks struggled on Sunday falling to the Southern Utah Thunderbirds by a final score of 8-3 Freshman Jaycee Knighton (1-2) took the loss in the circle for UT Arlington (23-22 At the plate, the Mavericks were paced by Mia McNulty, who went 1-3 on the day with a home run and two RBI. Camila Spriggs put together a standout performance at the dish as well The Mavericks got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning. UT Arlington plated two runs when McNulty left the yard with Dee McClarity aboard The Mavericks lost the lead they built in the first but got back on the board in the seventh trailing 8-2 UT Arlington scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Spriggs which brought the score to 8-3 in favor of the Thunderbirds The ballgame ended with that seventh inning rally falling short Thanks for visiting rural Texans face significant barriers to health care that their urban counterparts do not More than a quarter of the state’s 172 rural counties lack a hospital and those with at least one hospital often struggle with a shortage of qualified health care personnel The University of Texas at Arlington introduced its new Mobile Simulation Lab on Friday It’s the first in Texas dedicated solely to rural training This educational milestone was celebrated at a launch party at UTA’s School of Social Work and Smart Hospital building “Today we’re not just unveiling a new resource—we’re making history,” Dr “It’s a perfect reflection of what UTA 2030: Shared Dreams Related: UTA nursing is nation's first to use VR immersion room Ross described the Mobile Simulation Lab’s mission as a “game-changer” for enhancing access to quality health care in the state’s rural communities is equipped with three simulation bays and three advanced patient manikins including cesarean sections and other obstetric emergencies A lack of obstetrical services is one of the more pressing health care challenges in rural counties of the state Fewer than half of Texas’ rural hospitals provide maternity care leaving many rural residents without essential services “When it comes to obstetric or delivery emergencies rural patients are at higher risk for poorer outcomes than their urban counterparts,” said Jennifer Roye the assistant dean of simulation and technology at the College of Nursing and Health Innovation “That is all the more reason to train those nurses out there on how to take care of emergency situations to save moms and save babies.” Texas’ rural counties had 300 hospitals The past decade alone has seen more than 20 rural hospitals shut their doors By bringing advanced training directly to rural areas UTA’s Mobile Simulation Lab will help local health care providers expand their expertise enabling them to deliver essential care within their communities and reducing the need for costly travel to distant training centers Expanding the nursing workforce in rural areas is vital to improving the health of Texans statewide Rural communities face higher rates of chronic illness and limited access to care chronic lower respiratory disease and stroke among the leading causes of death according to the Centers for Disease Control “Investing in rural nursing education is an investment in the health and longevity of entire communities,” said Aspen Drude, manager for the Center for Rural Health and Nursing “By equipping local providers and our UTA students with advanced skills we not only improve patient outcomes but also strengthen the rural health care infrastructure that so many Texans rely on.” and which friends you keep affect how you age is the focus of a new study from The University of Texas at Arlington Researchers are enrolling volunteers for the Arlington Study of Healthy Aging (ASHA) and remote monitoring to investigate age-related health decline The goal is to help individuals and health care practitioners better prevent the impact of disease on older adults where the imaging studies will be conducted “Other studies tend to focus on very specific parts of the body But we are taking a fully encompassing approach—looking across the entire body from head to toe.” The team aims to enroll 600 volunteers between the ages of 50 and 80 to participate in the program Each person will participate in two days of testing at UTA the team will study how the blood vessels are functioning “We are so grateful for everyone who volunteers their time and effort,” Dr “In addition to helping to advance science volunteering for a study like this is a great way to learn about your health and wellness.” The study also emphasizes community engagement It will take four years to enroll and evaluate all 600 participants. Afterwards, faculty, staff and students from across campus will begin reviewing the data, including using UTA’s next-generation gene sequencer “What’s really exciting about this project is that it provides a vehicle for cross-disciplinary collaboration,” Dr “While our core investigative team is made up of members from multiple departments on campus we expect broad participation from across UTA with partnerships forming in fields like math The study will generate thousands of anonymized data points providing valuable insights for future researchers for decades to come “In addition to the volunteers who donate their time to the project the long-term success of ASHA will be due to the hard work and dedication of all the co-investigators and undergraduate research assistants,” Nelson said “It truly takes a village to put together a project of this scale.” For more information on ASHA or to become a volunteer, visit https://asha-study.uta.edu/ UT Arlington’s approximately 270,000 alumni occupy leadership positions at many of the 21 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas and contribute to the University’s $28.8 billion annual economic impact on Texas Game Recap: Softball | 4/26/2025 8:30:00 PM Hoelscher (8-5) got the win for UT Arlington (23-20 supplementing her two home runs with five RBIs Neises added to McNulty's awesome power-hitting performance by going 2-4 with a home run and an RBI The Mavericks got the scoring started early putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning Neises put UT Arlington on the board with a one-out solo home run off E The Thunderbirds then rallied to score two runs and take a 2-1 lead before the Mavericks got back on the board in the second The UT Arlington offense exploded for five runs highlighted by a two-run home run off the bat of McNulty and a two-run single from McClarity which brought the score to 5-2 in favor of the Mavericks UT Arlington kept Southern Utah without a run before building their lead to 11-2 the following inning The Mavericks hit two home runs in the inning on the way to scoring six runs closing the gap to 11-3 until UT Arlington added some insurance in the fifth The Mavericks pushed two runs across on a two-run double off the bat of McDonnell that brought home Spriggs and McNulty bringing the score to 13-3 in favor of UT Arlington McDonnell (3-4) came out of the bullpen for UT Arlington (23-21 The Mavericks lost despite scoring in six different innings in the ballgame last holding the lead in the eighth inning at 19-17 UT Arlington's biggest output came in its eight-run fifth inning The big hit for the Mavericks in the inning was a three-run double off the bat of Sailor Thanks for visiting Game Recap: Baseball | 5/4/2025 3:04:00 PM Texas --Five UT Arlington players recorded multiple hits to help lead the Mavericks over the Utah Valley Wolverines 7-4 Sunday Senior Rhys Stevens (2-4) got the win out of the bullpen for UT Arlington (17-27, 9-9). The right-hander went 0.2 shutout innings, giving up one hit, one walk and striking out one. Senior Caden Noah also pitched well going three shutout innings while allowing two hits The Mavericks were trailing 3-0 in the fourth inning when they first put runs on the board. UT Arlington plated two runs when sophomore Xander McAfee left the yard with senior Tyce Armstrong aboard The Wolverines expanded their lead to 4-2 before the Mavericks offense got back to work, taking the lead in the sixth. UT Arlington scored three runs in the frame, buoyed by a two-RBI double from sophomore Caylon Dygert UT Arlington held Utah Valley scoreless before expanding their lead to 7-4 the following inning. The Mavericks got run-scoring doubles from senior Tate Bethel and Dygert to pick up a couple of runs The score remained 7-4 for the rest of the game Thanks for visiting The University of Texas at Arlington, with 23 patents granted in 2024, helped propel The University of Texas System to No. 3 in the National Academy of Inventors’ prestigious top 100 ranking of U.S The UT System’s 14 institutions are collectively ranked as a single entity in the National Academy of Inventors’ (NAI) annual report UT Arlington’s 23 patents is a 15% jump from the previous year “We proudly acknowledge the vital contributions that our talented faculty students and staff have made in transforming groundbreaking university research into everyday innovations,” said Kate C vice president for research and innovation at UTA the smartphones that connect us and the medical innovations that keep us healthy.” Related: UTA inventors recognized worldwide for innovations Only the University of California system and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology earned more U.S university pioneers have been the driving force behind nearly every groundbreaking technological innovation and industry transformation setting the stage for commercial success,” Dr we work hard to create a culture where visionaries innovators and leaders can propel progress across all sectors." “In the ever-evolving innovation landscape is remaining competitive and at the forefront of today’s emerging research and technologies,” said NAI President Paul R “Ensuring the security of intellectual property through patenting is a crucial component to this and allows those innovations to be effectively moved to market where they can create valuable societal and economic impact universities and their inventive staff and faculty for their dedication in ensuring their innovations and IP are protected.” the NAI has published the Top 100 Worldwide Universities list Universities list to provide a more focused view of the innovation landscape and highlight the contributions of domestic academic institutions “Global competition in science and technology is intense,” said U.S National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan “To continue to keep our nation secure we must invest in accelerating breakthrough technologies transitioning these technologies to the market and preparing Americans for better-quality The University of Texas at Arlington has once again earned the prestigious R1 designation from the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education signifying the highest level of research activity UTA is among just 187 institutions—4.7% nationwide—earning the R1 designation in 2025 UTA has maintained this classification through reaffirmations in 2018 as part of Carnegie’s three-year review cycle With research expenditures reaching $155 million in FY 2024—a 5% increase over FY23—UTA continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and academic excellence R1 classification signals that an institution has achieved the highest level of research activity and is considered a top-tier research university with a significant commitment to producing groundbreaking research attracting top faculty and securing substantial research funding—essentially placing it among the most prestigious research institutions in the country “What sets UT Arlington apart from other institutions is our ability to pursue and produce scientific research that is on the leading edge of forefront and discovery,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said “We are advancing critical research—from semiconductor technology and battery storage to energy grids and personalized medicine—across our nine colleges and schools right here in Arlington.” UTA partners with the National Science Foundation Commerce and Energy to address state and national challenges The University also collaborates with state agencies including the Texas Department of Transportation and the Tarrant Regional Water District to strengthen Texas’ infrastructure reflecting UTA’s commitment to foster innovation research and entrepreneurship that drives societal progress “The dynamic research coming from UT Arlington is strategically focused on solutions that transform lives,” said Kate C vice president for research and innovation “It’s gratifying to see leading research organizations like Carnegie recognizing the exceptional talent of UTA’s faculty staff and students—both in driving discoveries with immediate benefits to society and advancing long-term initiatives that pave the way for future discoveries.” which is enrolling volunteers to investigate the mechanisms behind functional decline In October, UTA enhanced its research capabilities with the installation of a state-of-the-art gene sequencer at the North Texas Genome Center— the only machine of its kind in North Texas The next-generation sequencer will enable researchers to analyze rare genetic variants with greater precision paving the way for groundbreaking discovering in health care UTA in the midst of constructing a cutting-edge outdoor netted drone facility at the UT Arlington Research Institute in Fort Worth allowing researchers to conduct experiments free from FAA drone restrictions the Maverick Autonomous Vehicle Research Center (MAVRC) will unite university government and community partners to develop autonomous and intelligent mobility systems military technology and emergency response tools will focus on ensuring reliability and safety MAVRC is expected to attract industry partnerships create high-value jobs and fuel economic growth aligning with legislative priorities for technological advancement and economic development Related: UT Arlington Research Institute: A hidden gem solving real-world problems Launched in 2024, the Recruiting Innovative Scholars for Excellence initiative—RISE 100—aims to recruit leading faculty to amplify UTA’s research capabilities and establish UTA as a leader in key areas critical to Texas “RISE 100 supports a key strategic initiative of UTA 2030: Research and innovation,” UTA Provost Tamara L “Expanding our research programs reflects UTA’s commitment to meaningful faculty growth and inspiring the next generation of leaders.” Revolutionizing Semiconductor Laser Technology: UTA researchers, backed by a U.S. Department of Defense grant, are pioneering advancements in semiconductor laser technology Applications include advances in autonomous vehicles offering transformative potential across multiple industries significantly reducing its environmental impact including a program that provides training and technical assistance for local governments on road and bridge maintenance Learn more about UTA’s recent research achievements by exploring UTA’s annual research magazine, Inquiry. You can also sign up to receive periodic updates on UTA research Match Recap: Women's Tennis | 4/18/2025 8:45:00 PM | Todd Cruff Thanks for visiting As part of its yearlong 130th anniversary celebration, The University of Texas at Arlington sought the artistic help of students in creating a unique and commemorative tartan design that captured the spirit of the milestone anniversary through a Student Tartan Design Competition selected by the Department of Art and Art History carefully reviewed all the eligible entries and selected Rachel Chen’s as the winning tartan design “This has been an exciting way to celebrate 130 years of UTA bringing our community together to showcase our depth of talent tradition and school pride,” said President Jennifer Cowley “All of the entries were incredibly creative and thoughtful but the winning design was a true standout—a distinctive and lasting tribute to our legacy I appreciate the Art and Art History Department for lending its expertise in selecting a design that truly represents the University and I’m grateful to everyone who took part in this special celebration.” said she was immediately drawn to the idea that a simple pattern of lines and squares could unite people and foster a strong sense of community “This strongly influenced my own approach when I thought about my design and expressing the spirit of UTA and its 130th anniversary visually through the blues and oranges,” she said “I feel very grateful to have been chosen as the winner and have the opportunity to express the passion I have for design It fascinates me how the tradition of the tartan can be traced so far back yet students like me are still actively participating in it by designing a tartan pattern that and it was great to see such student interest in helping to celebrate UTA's 130th anniversary through designing a limited-edition commemorative tartan,” said August Davis chair of the Department of Art and Art History “There was a wide range of interpretations about what a tartan can look like; the strongest designs found ways to bring traditionalism and modernism together in the pattern.” The winning design will be used on a range of University merchandise that will be sold in the UTA Bookstore later this year For more information on UTA’s 130th anniversary celebration and events, please visit uta.edu/130