TJ Otzelberger at podium during news conference

UNLV Newsmakers 2019: Spring

A collection of stories highlighting UNLV students and faculty who've made news thus far in 2019.

Research breakthroughs, student successes, impactful campus event, and the hiring of men's basketball head coach T.J. Otzelberger (pictured) highlight a busy spring semester at UNLV. (Josh Hawkins/UNLV Creative Services)

Spring. It brings many things: Warmer temperatures, longer days, and — in the case of UNLV staff and students — headlines about groundbreaking research and incredible accomplishments.

Below are news stories that highlight some of many at UNLV who made an impact during the first quarter of 2019.

New Runnin’ Rebel Basketball Coach T.J. Otzelberger

UNLV is excited to have T.J. Otzelberger as the new head coach of Runnin’ Rebel basketball. One of the bright young stars in college coaching, Otzelberger comes to UNLV from South Dakota State University, where he led the Jackrabbits to two NCAA Tournaments and one NIT appearance in his three years at the helm.

Freshman Team Brings Home First Place at Hackathon

The semester started with a buzz for freshman computer science and mechanical engineering students Matias Allietti, Yuria Mann, Kristine Monsada, Ricardo Rodriguez and Serrano. The team, named the Radio Heads, received first place at CES along with $5,000 in January as part of Beasley Media Group’s Media Innovation Hackathon. They studied how the conversion of radio waves into electrical energy could be harnessed to charge wireless devices like cell phones.

Film Students Finalists in Coca-Cola Regal Films Contest

UNLV proved to be stiff competition against film powerhouses such as NYU, UCLA, and SCAD. Film students Nicolle Peterson and Lily Campisi’s 30-second commercial titled “The Big Wish” was one of five finalists out of 800 submissions in the national Coca-Cola Regal Films Contest. While UNLV’s team did take home the top prize, its film was popular and racked up more than 16,000 YouTube views, the second-highest tally among finalists and nearly 11,000 views ahead of the closest competitor.

U.S. Senator Harry Reid Discusses Anti-Semitism in America

Former U.S. Senator Harry Reid joined historian/author Deborah Lipstadt and journalist Jonathan Weisman to discuss the rise of anti-Semitism and bigotry nationwide. The event was presented by Senator Reid, UNLV Boyd School of Law, and the Nevada System of Higher Education in collaboration with the College of Southern Nevada and Nevada State College.

A Diet Based on your Genes?

The saying “You are what you eat” really is true, according to UNLV’s Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine (NIPM). In January, professor and NIPM director Dr. Martin Schiller publicly launched the startup “Food Genes and Me” alongside a team of researchers and students. Food Genes and Me is a free service that scans your DNA to find out what medical problems you are susceptible to developing, and how you can change your diet to keep yourself healthy long-term.

Screening for Perinatal Depression

Perinatal depression is defined as the major or minor depressive episode during pregnancy or up to 12 months after childbirth. This pregnancy complication effects as many as one in seven women. Marcia Clevesy, assistant professor of nursing at UNLV, implemented a project that increased screening rates at a local clinic from 56 percent to almost 93 percent — a phenomenon that has considerable regional and national implications

Postpartum Depression in Fathers?

Although most people think of postpartum depression (PPD) as something that occurs in mothers post childbirth, UNLV Couple and Family Therapy professor Brandon Eddy led a study that explores in depth new fathers’ experiences with PPD. Eddy and his research team searched forums, chat rooms, blogs, and websites for first-hand accounts of mens’ barriers to diagnosis and treatment.

The Dollar Store Diet

Looking to save some cash and still eat healthy meals? Well, it might be time to consider dollar-discount stores as a pit stop for your grocery needs, according to professor Courtney Coughenour from UNLV’s School of Public Health. She led a study which compared the quality of produce at dollar-discount stores versus regular grocery stores, and concluded that both are essentially the same.

UNLV Experts Give Insight to National News

Media from all over the country reach out to professors daily to provide their expertise on a wide variety of topics. From politics to health, UNLV professors offer their expertise to help people better understand the world around them.

  • Vogue: Deirdre Clemente on the Serena Williams sportswear controversy

  • Los Angeles Times: Michael Green on mobsters and Las Vegas real estate

  • FOX News: Anthony Lucas on the U.S.-China trade war’s impact on casinos

  • AP: David Damore on public land discussions during election season

  • The Washington Post: David Orentlicher on funding surrounding religious adoption agencies and LGBTQ couples

  • CNN: Stephen Bates on the Mueller report

  • Psychology Today: Brad Donahue on mental wellness in sports

  • The Wall Street Journal: Anthony Cabot on Sheldon Adelson and online gambling

  • Men’s Health: Bo Berhnard and Michael Easter on sports betting during March Madness

  • The Hill: Ben Edwards on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

  • PBS: Brenda Buck on asbestos use in the U.S.

  • Vice: Benjamin Burroughs on the political and pop culture significance of memes

  • Business Insider: Francine Lipman on tax law changes

Topics:

newsmakers

Campus Units:

Couple and Family Therapy Program,  Department of Film,  College of Fine Arts,  Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies,  William S. Boyd School of Law,  School of Public Health,  Greenspun College of Urban Affairs,  Intercollegiate Athletics,  Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine

Related Experts:

Courtney Coughenour ,  Brandon Eddy ,  David Orentlicher ,  Martin Schiller

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