Graduate Studies student events offer fun, outreach

Graduate students have taken part in several fun activities these past few months, including one that was “PhUn.”

Alicia Schiller, Ph.D., a Graduate Studies alum and instructor in the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, led a visit to Andersen Middle School as part of Physiology Understanding (PhUn) Week. PhUn Week is an annual K-12 outreach event coordinated by The American Physiological Society.

The purpose of the week is to bring hands-on activities to students at local schools to introduce them to physiology concepts and increase teacher recognition of physiology in their standards-based science curriculum. Two Ph.D. students volunteered to help reach out to the middle school students.

Meanwhile, in April, the International Student Association hosted the Holi Festival of Colors on the Ruth and Bill Scott Student Plaza green space.

Holi is a Hindu spring festival, celebrated in India and becoming popular internationally. It symbolizes rejuvenation and optimism, celebrating the arrival of spring after winter and signifies the victory of good over evil. For many, it is a festive day to meet others, play, laugh, forgive and forget, and repair broken relationships. Many Ph.D. students took part.

And, the Graduate Student Association celebrated March 14 — “Pi Day” (get it?) — by serving pies to fellow Ph.D. students.

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