Posted on by lbarron

July 29- August 4, 2024

 To see full descriptions for any item in the summary list please click on the continue reading link below the summary list. 

0. Ongoing Services – updated 5/13/24  

This Week’s Events:   

  1. CIRTL WORKSHOP: NAVIGATING THE ACADEMIC HAND-OFF: GRADUATE STUDENTS AND POSTDOCS AS SCIENTIFIC TRAINERS – Wednesday 
  2. MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT GETTING A FACULTY POSITION – Thursday 
  3. GLC ICE CREAM SOCIAL – Thursday 
  4. NO GLC CAFE THIS WEEK  – Canceled  

      Administrative Announcements: 

        1. SUBSCRIBE TO UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES RESEARCH SERVICES NEWSLETTER – 1st posting 
        2. CHANGES COMING TO CREATION OF MICROSOFT 365 SHAREPOINT SITES, TEAMS, GROUPS – 2nd posting 
        3. APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR THE FALL 2024 GPSS TRAVEL FUND PROGRAM – 2nd posting 

          Jobs: 

          1. APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR GPSS RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM CO-CHAIR POSITION FOR 2024-2025 – 3rd   posting 

          Funding Opportunities: 

          1. FULBRIGHT POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS FOR U.S. CITIZENS – DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 

          Volunteers and research participants sought: 

          1. USER CENTERED EVALUATION OF SMART THERMOSTATS (IRB #24-553) – 1st posting 
          2. OLDER ADULT PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A RESEARCH STUDY ABOUT COGNITION – 1st posting 
          3. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A RESEARCH STUDY ABOUT ARM-SUPPORT EXOSKELETONS IN MINING – 1st posting 
          4. TOUCH-RELATED PERCEPTION STUDY – 1st posting MEDIA AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS STUDY – 1st posting 
          5. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VIRTUAL REALITY USER STUDY – 2nd posting 
                  1. MIDDLE-AGED/OLDER ADULTS NEEDED FOR COMPENSATED RESEARCH STUDY (4 STUDY VISITS) – 3rd posting  

                  Upcoming Events: 

                  1. SLaM PRESENTS AUGUST LABOR MOVEMENT UPDATE – August 6 
                  2. INTRO TO EXCEL AND OPENREFINE WORKSHOP – August 15 
                  3. INTRO TO UNIX AND GIT WORKSHOP – August 16 
                  4. INTRO TO R AND RSTUDIO WORKSHOP – August 19 
                  5. INTRO TO PYTHON WORKSHOP – August 20 
                  6. GPSS WELCOME BACK BBQ PICNIC – FREE FOOD! – August 23 
                  7. GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH SKILLS WORKSHOP SERIES – August 28 

                         0. Ongoing Services – updated 05/14/24     

                        • GRADUATE SCHOOL: Graduate School summer hours: In-person advising, drop-off or pick-up of documents and materials, and a space to study and take a break! Visit 120 GLC, summer walk-in hours will be held on Monday and Thursday 9:00-4:00pm. The Graduate School offices will be open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. for the summer. Staff will be available by phone 540 231-8636 or email grads@vt.edu.  If you prefer Zoom advising: request one-on-one assistantship or academic advising by using our online request form to set-up a Zoom session. 
                        • CAREER ADVISING: Schedule career advising appointment via https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html ; GLC drop-in hours in GLC 120 will not be held in the summer and  will resume Fall 2024. 
                        • COOK COUNSELING: COOK COUNSELING: Drop-in hours for Summer: Tuesdays 10 am to 12 pm. Location: Room 49 at the GLC. For consultations by Zoom e-mail hkatie19@vt.edu. Students seeking services can schedule a triage appointment by calling 540-231-6557.  
                        • WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/ 
                        • GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at gradombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573 

                        This Week’s Events 

                        1. CIRTL WORKSHOP: NAVIGATING THE ACADEMIC HAND-OFF: GRADUATE STUDENTS AND POSTDOCS AS SCIENTIFIC TRAINERS 
                        Wednesday, July 31, 1-2:30pm, Zoom  
                        Passing down scientific knowledge is a common but often overlooked part of work for advanced graduate students and postdocs working with more junior student researchers. In this one-part online workshop, you will apply teaching and learning strategies to streamline your research training, develop training resources, and assess your trainee’s learning. Together, we’ll explore how to identify knowledge bottlenecks, how to articulate training needs and goals, and how to improve collaboration on training with the various trainees you’re guiding through these processes. Cap: 40; registration closes when capacity is reached. Register here: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEscOisrTkuGNBdTURq2ydl_llGEEFySwzr#/registration. 

                        2. MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT GETTING A FACULTY POSITION  
                        Thursday, August 1, 12-1pm Zoom 
                        Join K. Paul Rezaizadeh, Ph.D., Health Program Specialist in the Office of Training and Workforce Development at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) within the National Institutes of Health for this online session where he will discuss findings from a paper published by the NINDS team: Myths and facts about getting an academic faculty position in neuroscience. Register here: 

                        https://www.research.vt.edu/about/postdoctoral-associates/postdoctoral-events-programs/2024/myths-and-facts-about-getting-a-faculty-position.html

                        3. GLC ICE CREAM SOCIAL 
                        Thursday, August 1, 3:30-5pm, GLC Lobby and Lawn 
                        Summer is flying by! Stop by the GLC lobby for an ice cream social. Enjoy ice cream bars, fruit bars, ice cream sandwiches, lemonade and coffee. Pick up your frozen treat in the lobby and head out to the GLC Lawn to enjoy and play lawn games. The Ice Cream Social will be held in place of the GLC Café. Register here to help us plan how many frozen treats we will need: https://forms.office.com/r/J0rfccWPqV 

                        4. NO GLC CAFE THIS WEEK  
                        Thursday, August 1, 3:30-5pm. GLC Reading Room 
                        Please join us for the ice cream social held in place of the GLC Cafe this week only! 

                        Administrative Announcements 

                        5. SUBSCRIBE TO UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES RESEARCH SERVICES NEWSLETTER – 1st posting 
                        Beyond traditional collections, today’s University Libraries at Virginia Tech provides in-depth services that directly support successful grant applications, research, and scholarship. This fall, University Libraries is launching a monthly research services newsletter that informs Virginia Tech researchers about library resources, workshops, and expertise in research-related services. Topics include data management and curation, publishing, scholarly repositories, evidence synthesis, and research impact and intelligence. Graduate student and faculty researchers across the university are encouraged to subscribe to the University Libraries research services newsletter to stay connected and informed about all the resources, services, and expertise available for their success. Subscribe to the University Libraries research services newsletter: https://t.send.vt.edu/lp/ulrs-subscribe  

                        6. CHANGES COMING TO CREATION OF MICROSOFT 365 SHAREPOINT SITES, TEAMS, GROUPS – 2nd  posting 
                        In response to Microsoft’s license model changes, Virginia Tech will be modifying procedures regarding the creation of collaborative spaces within Microsoft 365. Beginning Aug. 16, only employees will be able to request and create new SharePoint Sites, Teams, or groups. Students will no longer be able to create new Microsoft365 collaborative spaces but may be added to these spaces by an employee. Existing SharePoint sites, Teams, and groups are not affected at this time and may continue to be used. Please contact 4Help at 4help.vt.edu or by phone at 540-231-4357 with questions. https://news.vt.edu/notices/2024/07/it-ccs-microsoft-collaborative-spaces-require-approval.html   

                        7. APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR THE FALL 2024 GPSS TRAVEL FUND PROGRAM – 2nd posting 
                        Graduate students presenting research conducted at Virginia Tech are eligible to apply for the Fall 2024 Travel Fund Program! Grants may cover registration, lodging, meals, abstract fees, and other costs of presenting at an in-person or virtual conference with a start date from Oct. 1- Dec. 31. Students from all disciplines are invited to apply, even if your conference abstract has not been officially accepted. Be sure to carefully read the instructions. Applications are due August 19th at 11:59 PM. Please e-mail Julia Shapiro at juliams22@vt.edu with any questions and visit https://gpss.vt.edu/programs/tfp.html for full details and instructions.  

                        Jobs 

                        8. APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR GPSS RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM CO-CHAIR POSITION FOR 2024-2025 – 3rd posting 
                        Prior to the event, held in the last week of March, co-chairs will work together to hire a speaker for the event, handle the bulk of necessary planning, and coordinate the event. Planning will include coordinating the keynote speaker, providing food for attendees, collecting abstracts, finding judges, and marketing the event. Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate education program and able to complete work over two semesters: Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, the period of appointment runs September 15- April 1. Applicants must be able to attend the Graduate Research Symposium (last week of March). This position is not an assistantship but does offer a stipend. To apply: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hGiVYK0Q-kCGPU8yweOjeqI0_MNCpRNGsmooGXbKsw9UQlZaOTAxQjZQRllTVVNLRzQ5NUtDVTBDMi4u  

                        Funding Opportunities 

                        Funding opportunities sponsored by the graduate school can be found here: 
                        https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/funding-sponsored-by-the-graduate-school.html 
                        All external funding opportunities that we are aware of can be found here: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/scholarships-and-fellowships.html. 

                        9. FULBRIGHT POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS FOR U.S. CITIZENS – DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 
                        Fellowships are open to researchers in all academic disciplines and support research programs in Israel for up to 20 months (two academic years). These are the primary benefits of the fellowship: $95,000 scholarship ($47,500 per academic year).  Basic health insurance for the grant, Reimbursement of up to $1,700 for airfare expenses for Fulbright fellows (and spouses), Partial reimbursement of education expenses for children.  Visit the program page: https://fulbright.org.il/USPostdoc. For further information or inquiries, please contact: Noa Turgeman, USprograms@fulbright.org.il. 

                        Volunteers and Research Participants Sought 

                        10.  USER CENTERED EVALUATION OF SMART THERMOSTATS (IRB #24-553) – 1st posting 
                        Our research team at Myers-Lawson School of Construction is collaborating with Carleton University to conduct two consecutive eye-tracking studies to improve the user interface of internet-connected residential thermostats. Please consider participating in one or both of the following studies. 1. Must be at least 18 years old. 2. Do not require corrective eyeglasses for using digital devices (e.g., digital thermostats and laptops) or have significant visual impairments that could affect eye movement. Compensation: A $15 gift card (for the first study lasting 45-60 minutes) + $15 cash (for the second study lasting 25-40 minutes). To participate, please contact: Simin Kianpourrad  siminkianpour@vt.edu  

                        11. OLDER ADULT PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A RESEARCH STUDY ABOUT COGNITION – 1st posting 
                        The MEM lab (Williams Hall) is recruiting participants for a 2-session study of older adult cognition. Eligible participants should be able to quickly read visually presented English words and are between the ages of 60 to 80. Participants will be compensated $10 for the first session (30-45 min) and $25 for the second session (1 hour). Please contact vtmemorylab@gmail.com or call and leave your name and number at (540) 231 – 9538 to learn more. Biomedical Research Alliance of New York Institutional Review Board (BRANY) Protocol #VT18-1077-568. For more information email Erica Shafer at vtmemorylab@gmail.com.  

                        12. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A RESEARCH STUDY ABOUT ARM-SUPPORT EXOSKELETONS IN MINING – 1st posting 
                        Mining workers often suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Arm-supported exoskeletons (ASEs) are an emerging technology that may reduce these risks. Our study aims to evaluate the benefits and possible adverse effects of ASEs through lab-based simulations of mining tasks. You will participate in a 1-hour training session to learn overhead drilling, cable hanging/installation, corebox lifting, and overhead wire mesh screen installation. The 3.5-hour experiment session will involve evaluating two arm-support exoskeletons while performing these tasks. An optional 2.5-hour session will evaluate two additional exoskeletons. You qualify if you are between 18 and 60 years old, have no musculoskeletal injuries within the past 12 months, and meet specific height and waist restrictions (less than 6’6″ tall and waist less than 46″) due to exoskeleton sizing requirements. Compensation: $15/hour for all sessions.  Please contact Utkarsha Mohan at utkarsham@vt.edu for scheduling and more information. 
                         

                        13. TOUCH-RELATED PERCEPTION STUDY – 1st posting 
                        The Virginia Tech Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics is conducting a research study investigating how we feel about objects with which we interact. Participants will be asked if they can detect when a non-painful electrical pulse is delivered to their fingertip and elbow. Participants will be compensated for their time and may have their transportation costs covered. Participant qualifications: Ages 65+; Right Hand Dominant; No History of Chemotherapy, No Musculoskeletal or Neurological Disorders, No Diagnosis of Diabetes, No Major Injury or Pain in Either Arm, No Implanted Electrical Devices (i.e., Cardiac Pacemaker). Compensation: $20/hr. For more information, please contact Emily Tirrell at emilytirrell@vt.edu. 

                        14. MEDIA AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS STUDY – 1st posting 
                        We are looking for children ages 3 to 5 years who speak English and their parents to participate in a Virginia Tech Media and Executive Functions Study (IRB #23-666). Study participation involves two 30-minute visits to either your home or our lab on the Blacksburg campus of Virginia Tech. Participants will be compensated with a $20 USD electronic gift card upon completion of both the visit and the online survey. Details are below. Fill out this interest form to learn more: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/t/AVJAmZ1hAI  

                        15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VIRTUAL REALITY USER STUDY – 2nd posting 
                        The 3D Interaction Group is looking for eligible participants for a research study with virtual reality (VR) technologies. Our team is investigating the influence of interactivity in guided tours in immersive virtual environments. The study will make use of VR technologies. Participants need to be proficient in reading and writing in English, at least 18 years old, able to walk and stand for extended periods, and have normal or corrected vision. Fill out the screening questionnaire here: https://forms.gle/aiMTZoQDPkFDAkqHA.     

                        16. MIDDLE-AGED/OLDER ADULTS NEEDED FOR COMPENSATED RESEARCH STUDY (4 STUDY VISITS) – 3rd  posting 
                        Researchers are seeking participants 40 years or older to participate in a study (IRB Protocol # 22-507) to learn if consuming artificial sweeteners has any impact on glucose levels in middle-aged/older adults. If you qualify, you will be compensated up to $75 upon successful completion of all study visits. This study involves 4 visits to the Virginia Tech Campus, over 3 weeks. Total time commitment will be about 10 hours. The study will include a screening visit to determine eligibility, and 3 visits where you will eat breakfast and undergo a blood draw. For more information, please contact us at NNS_Study_2-g@vt.edu or fill out the screening survey here: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/acuteNNS  

                        Upcoming Events 

                        17. SLaM PRESENTS AUGUST LABOR MOVEMENT UPDATE 
                        Tuesday, August 6, 4-5pm, GLC room C 
                        Students for the Labor Movement (SLaM) will be holding a meeting to discuss current events in the labor movement at the local and national levels as well as to plan events for the Fall. All members of the VT community are welcome to participate. Pizza will be served. For questions and/or accommodation, please contact Andrew Gunsch at andrewg20@vt.edu.  

                        18. INTRO TO EXCEL AND OPENREFINE WORKSHOP 
                        Thursday, August 15, 9am-5pm, University Mall 2104 or Zoom 
                        Clean up messy real-world data in Excel spreadsheets and level up your skills with the power of OpenRefine. This free hands-on workshop covers cleaning, standardizing, and combining spreadsheets in Excel and OpenRefine, plus tools to improve initial Excel data entry quality and APIs to enhance data with external sources in OpenRefine. You do not need any experience with the software to participate but you will need access to a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. Lunch and refreshments will be provided for in-person participants. Instructions for accessing course material and installing software will be sent in advance. For questions, contact Data Education Coordinator Nathaniel Porter (ndporter@vt.edu). Register here: https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/browse/researchdiscovery/courses/lib167-081524  

                        19. INTRO TO UNIX AND GIT WORKSHOP 
                        Friday, August 16, 9am-5pm, University Mall 2104 or Zoom  
                        Learn how to automate repetitive research tasks by working at the Unix command line and track your personal and collaborative work with Git. This hands-on workshop is open to anyone and based on lessons from Software Carpentry. You do not need any experience with the software to participate but you will need access to a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. Lunch and refreshments will be provided for in-person participants. Instructions for accessing course material and installing software will be sent in advance. For questions, contact Data Education Coordinator Nathaniel Porter (ndporter@vt.edu). Register here: https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/browse/researchdiscovery/courses/lib166-081624. 

                        20. INTRO TO R AND RSTUDIO WORKSHOP  
                        Monday, August 19, 9am-5pm, University Mall 2104 (Blacksburg) or Zoom 
                        Learn how to work with data hands on in R and RStudio, whether or not you have any experience with coding or data analysis. You do not need any experience with the software to participate but you will need access to a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. Lunch and refreshments will be provided for in-person participants. Instructions for accessing course material and installing software will be sent in advance. For questions, contact Data Education Coordinator Nathaniel Porter (ndporter@vt.edu). Register here:  https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/browse/researchdiscovery/courses/lib165-081924.

                        21. INTRO TO PYTHON WORKSHOP 
                        Tuesday, August 20, 9am-5pm, University Mall 2104 (Blacksburg) or Zoom 
                        Learn the basics of Python hands-on using the JupyterLab interface, including coding and working with data. You do not need any experience with the software to participate but you will need access to a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. Lunch and refreshments will be provided for in-person participants. Instructions for accessing course material and installing software will be sent in advance. For questions, contact Data Education Coordinator Nathaniel Porter (ndporter@vt.edu). Register here: https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/browse/researchdiscovery/courses/lib164-082024 

                        22. GPSS WELCOME BACK BBQ PICNIC – FREE FOOD!  
                        Friday, August 23, 5-7pm, GLC Lawn 
                        Welcome and Welcome Back, Y’all! The Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) of Virginia Tech will be hosting our 2024 annual Welcome Back BBQ Picnic on August 23, from 5-7pm on the GLC Lawn. All VT graduate and professional students are invited! Enjoy free catered BBQ dinner from On-Site Culinary and lawn games++ with your fellow graduate students. Come hang out, make new friends, catch up with old ones, and have a blast before the semester begins! Kindly be aware that food will be served on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Submit your RSVP today at https://forms.office.com/r/sYczKEk2QB. Please email gpss@vt.edu  if you have any accessibility needs. We look forward to seeing you at the event! 

                        23. GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH SKILLS WORKSHOP SERIES 
                        Wednesday, August 28, 2:30-3:15pm, Zoom  
                        Series of individual workshops which will run Aug. 28 – Oct. 9. All graduate student researchers will benefit from refreshers on literature reviews, research data management, citation management with EndNote, Mendeley, and Zotero, and the ins and outs of academic publishing. Learn more and register for the individual workshops here: https://guides.lib.vt.edu/gradworkshops