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Lifeline Online Spring 2009 Issue 102  FEATURED A recent study by two LSI investigators in the journal Development Psychobiology recently reported that pupil size in the eyes of children may be used to identify those with Autism Spectrum Disorders earlier than the typical three years of age. Read the full story. A new scientific society devoted to oromotor development in premature infants was officially created at a recent meeting at KU under the leadership of LSI investigator Steven Barlow. Read the full story. The new three-story 72,000-square foot Children’s Campus in Kansas City, Kan., is starting to take shape on the corner of 5th and Minnesota Avenue. Read the full story. IN THE NEWS A story in the Boston Globe about how we are learning more about the brains of babies quoted LSI Director John Colombo. Read the full story. When U.S. News and World Report needed an expert for a story on the employability of teenagers with autism, they turned to LSI’s Wendy Parent. Read the full story. RESEARCH IN ACTION Judy Carta and Charles Greenwood, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project, are collaborating with colleagues in Australia on the use of a website measurement tool developed by JGCP researchers. Read the full story. LSI at Parsons helped organize an electronic recycling event for residents of a five-county area that saved tons of stuff from going to landfills. Read the full story. ADMINISTRATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS LSI centers may now have their own “signatures” for stationery, websites and print materials. Read the full story. HONORS Two former KU doctoral students who worked with LSI-affiliated scientists received top honors at the annual meeting of the Council for Exceptional Children. Read the full story. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT NEWS Six recent awards and 52 proposals submitted in the last few months explain, in part, why LSI researchers and central office staff have been burning the midnight oil. See the complete list. |
MILESTONES Pat White retires from LSI at Parsons 
Pat White Pat, who retired in December, began her career when Parsons was known as the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center. Colleagues said she would have probably called herself “just a secretary” when in fact she was an essential Jill-of-all-Trades. She served as editor of the LSI-Parsons newsletter, manuscript editor and proofreader, APA expert, label maker, event organizer, office manager, travel agent and general go-to person. When the research building basement flooded in 2004, Pat organized the clean up efforts and restoration of the staff library. She leaves a lasting legacy for her colleagues in the form of the LSI at Parsons archives, a wealth of information recounting the history of the center, much of which Pat witnessed herself. “Pat White is one of the most decent and caring individuals you would ever want to know,” said David Lindeman, director of LSI at Parsons. “ Her dedicated work made the work of all around her much better. When something needed to get done, Pat would see that it got done.” In retirement, Pat plans to participate in a Kansas Humanities Council oral history grant focusing on the impact of the New Deal programs of the 1930s on Southeast Kansas farm life. Zamarippa recognized for service to KU
 According to LSI Director John Colombo, Ed has been a constant at LSI for the last 40 years. “He's seen four different directors through their tenure here, guiding the institute with a steady hand through both good times and bad. In addition to being honored several times by KU for his work, Ed has garnered national recognition for his excellence as a financial administrator." Congratulations, Ed. New investigators join LSI Two KU researchers recently become affiliated with the Life Span Institute.
Welcome to these new investigators. The Work Group for Community Health and Development, a WHO Collaborating Centre at the University of Kansas, announces two promotions Jomella Watson-Thompson, Ph.D., was promoted to associate director for community research. Beginning fall 2009, Watson-Thompson will balance a full-time appointment within the Department of Applied Behavior Sciences with directing numerous community research projects at the Work Group. Christina Holt, M.A., has been named associate director for Community Tool Box services. Christina oversees development of the global Community Tool Box resource as well as related services, including the Online Documentation and Support System, the Community Tool Box training curriculum, and customized online platforms known as Community WorkStations. Please join us in welcoming our colleagues into their new roles at the Work Group. |
Marianne Berry
Nancy Muma