KU News Release

KPR’s new ‘Research Minute’ highlights diversity of KU projects

LAWRENCE — Research at the University of Kansas is as diverse as developing treatments for Alzheimer’s and cancer to finding inexpensive ways to make alternative fuels and new methods to detect autism earlier in life.

“Research Minute,” a new weekly series beginning Nov. 6 on Kansas Public Radio, will give KPR listeners a glimpse into KU science, engineering, humanities, education, social sciences and life sciences research.

The program will air at 2:58 p.m. Mondays, right before “All Things Considered,” and at 6:58 a.m. Saturdays before “Weekend Edition.” KU research writer Brandis Griffith will host the broadcast.

“I think the ‘Research Minute’ is an excellent opportunity for KPR listeners to learn more about the strides that KU researchers are making: different ways to improve student behavior in schools, new ways to detect autism or possible discoveries that impact brain development or cancer,” Griffith said. “Research is important — not only because it can impact the lives and health of the public, but it trains students, future researchers.

“I hope KPR listeners will get a taste of what’s interesting and important about research, whether it comes from a laboratory, a classroom or the monarch butterfly garden. But I also think listeners will pick up some useful information for themselves along the way.”

Griffith, who covers research for KU’s Office of University Relations and the KU Center for Research Inc., was previously a television reporter in Little Rock, Ark., and Wichita Falls, Texas. She earned a master’s degree in journalism at Columbia University in New York and a bachelor’s degree at Dillard University in New Orleans.

Topics in the series will include science education for middle school students with learning disabilities; a discovery on the potential for weeds to develop resistance to the popular herbicide, Roundup; biorefining efforts at KU, including how one professor is aiming to find cheaper ways to make biodiesel; and why European countries are so far ahead of the U.S. in using and developing alternative energy sources.

“The ‘Research Minute’ affords us a unique opportunity to tell part of the university’s story in the community and provide significant, informative programming for KPR listeners,” said Darrell Brogdon, KPR program director.

KPR already provides other “minute” broadcasts about academic programs at KU. The “Art Minute,” hosted by David Cateforis, associate professor of art history, airs four times weekly. “Postcards from Asia,” hosted by Bill Tsutsui, associate professor of history, airs twice weekly. KPR also broadcasts the minute-long astronomy program “StarDate” from the McDonald Observatory at the University of Texas.

KPR, licensed to KU, broadcasts on KANU 91.5 FM in Lawrence, KANH 89.7 FM in Emporia, KANV 91.3 FM in Olsburg-Junction City and K210CR 89.9 FM in Atchison. KPR can be heard on the Internet at kpr.ku.edu. KPR also operates KPR-2, a news-talk channel on HD Radio. Those broadcasts can be heard on an HD receiver or on KPR’s Web site.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.