January 2020
First in her family, finding her place
SMU senior Kaitlyn Contreras ’20 is a first-generation honor roll student attending the University on a full scholarship and majoring in health and society. She admits it hasn’t always been easy, but she has never shied away from hard work and big challenges. Now, with the support of her family, faculty mentors and a close-knit student community, she’s ready for her most ambitious project yet – applying to medical school.
Engineer, inventor, researcher and leader
Elizabeth Loboa, a biomedical engineer with a proven track record of building and supporting strategic partnerships, will join SMU in July as provost and vice president for academic affairs.
A torrent of file-sharing unleashes a flood of innovation
Is digital piracy good for business? New research by SMU strategy professors shows that large software firms increased their innovation efforts when file sharing technology put their products at risk of being more easily copied.
Plant-based drug could stem the spread of HTLV-1 virus
Thanks to SMU scientists, there’s hope on the horizon for the estimated 10–15 million people infected with the HTLV-1 virus, a “cousin” to HIV. While there is no cure or treatment, the new research suggests that the drug oleandrin could prevent the HTLV-1 virus from spreading.
Focal point: Laura Wilson to receive Literati Award
Friends of the SMU Libraries will celebrate its 50th year and honor photographer and author Laura Wilson with the 11th Literati Award at the annual Tables of Content fundraiser.
Good health and happiness go hand in hand
According to a study led by SMU psychologist Nathan Hudson, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that people’s overall sense of happiness is linked to physical health.