Oleg Zatsarinny: Expert Atomic Theorist, Kind Man

I met Oleg Zatsarinny in 2001, and he then worked with me at Western Michigan University for two years. From 2003 to 2013, we were coauthors of 15 papers on theoretical atomic physics, and maintained a friendly relationship over twenty years, meeting and socializing often at conferences. Further elaboration follows below.

Community-Wide Prevention of COVID-19: A Systematic Analysis of Hot vs. Cold Spots

Universities in five different states are collaborating on an original large-scale COVID-prevention effort by asking many of their students to complete an innovative survey that strategically asks them to identify areas on and around campus that are “hot spots” for spreading the coronavirus. These universities—Virginia Tech, Appalachian State, Western Michigan, University of Kansas, and University of Florida—are also observing mask wearing, social distancing, and other COVID prevention measures in their communities to analyze the risk management and wellness precautions taken by students, faculty, and the surrounding communities. Mapping hot-spot areas provides invaluable information for prevention and intervention creation.

Highlights of the 2019 honors session at the International Students’ Conference in Siberian Federal University, Russia

In honors education, creating a community of talented and ambitious students is a goal of primary importance. Honors sessions at international conferences contribute to globalization of the honors community and offer opportunities for starting the dialogue between honors students of different universities and diverse academic fields. The current note provides insight into the discussion at the honors session organized by SibFU Honors College at the international students’ conference “Prospect Svobodny 2019” at the premises of Siberian Federal University in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. The author describes the results of the interdisciplinary research activities presented at the session by honors students from Texas Christian University, Western Michigan University, University of New Mexico, Lamar University, and Siberian Federal University. The note reveals how the honors students’ sessions become forums for reflecting on the value of learner agency and also for exploring the areas of prospective collaboration in interdisciplinary research for honors students worldwide.