1. Electric Vehicles – Can Michigan Lead The Way?

    Mark Rivett posted November 30, 2021

    Friday, January 21, 2022

    10:00am – 11:30pm

    View the recording here

    The future of mobility is dynamic – new advancements are happening every day. Increasing funding and emphasis on electric vehicles will have a direct impact on the State’s economy by expanding much needed educational infrastructure to engage, reskill/upskill and educate more students at all levels, while also supporting innovation in essential areas: advancing the state-of-the-art for range and charging; transforming the capabilities for future battery packs through research on new materials, manufacturing methodologies; etc. The University of Michigan has a robust track record of collaboration and partnership that lead to high value outcomes. A strategic investment is critical for positioning the State of Michigan as the leader in EV related research and workforce development, and ensuring the State’s competitiveness and leadership position in the future of mobility for the near- and long-term.

    The Challenge We Face

    Almost fifty years ago Michigan’s auto industry faced a serious challenge, as demand increased for smaller, imported vehicles. It hasn’t been easy and it has taken a long time, but with research and innovation, strategic partnerships, engineering and talent, today’s auto industry is strong. Michigan is now facing another inflection point, a key moment in time. Vehicle electrification represents another generational shift in the mobility industry. Michigan’s existing auto industry is vulnerable. The state is at a critical crossroads that will need to educate nearly 15 percent of the workforce, re-purpose our manufacturing sector while enhancing our research infrastructure.

    Panelists

    Jeff Sakamoto
    Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Macromolecular Science and Engineering

    As a materials scientist and engineer with an interest in synthesis, processing, and functionalization of ceramics and hydrogels, his research is highly interdisciplinary guided by the fields of energy storage/conversion and biomedicine.

    Greg Less
    Director of the University of Michigan Battery Lab

    Greg Less is the Senior Laboratory Manager at the UMEI Battery Fabrication and Characterization User Facility, responsible for the day-to-day operation of the laboratory. Less received a doctorate in Chemistry from the University of Michigan. Prior to joining UMEI, he was a research scientist with battery companies T/J Technologies and A123 Systems.

    Wolverine Caucus members are University of Michigan alumni including legislators, lobbyists, staff, and advisors working in and around the State of Michigan government. They meet with U-M experts on timely, relevant public policy subjects during the legislative session. Our mission is to provide diverse forums at which U-M friends can meet one another, enjoy fellowship, exchange views and learn from the world-class talents of U-M faculty and administrators.


  2. Wolverine Caucus: Moms and their Kids – Identifying disparities in care and Supporting Better outcomes

    Mark Rivett posted March 10, 2021

    Wednesday, March 24, 2021

    9:30am – 11:00am

    View Recording here

    Discussion on the critical periods from pregnancy through early childhood is an especially sensitive time for mitigating the multi-generational effects of inequity, trauma, and adversity and promoting mental health. A collaboration across the University of Michigan and the State of Michigan communities to outline a portfolio of research, treatment, training, and advocacy initiatives.

    Panelists

    Vanessa Dalton
    Vanessa Dalton, M.D., M.P.H. Reproductive health services and family planning

    Dr. Dalton’s research interests include family planning and contraception, access to care, healthcare utilization, and human rights. She is Associate Chair of Research in U-M’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the director of the Program on Women’s Health Care Effectiveness Research (PWHER), and Co-Director of the Ryan Residency Training Program. She previously served as Director of the International Family Planning Fellowship in Ghana. Dr. Dalton provides research support and mentorship to numerous faculty, fellows, and students involved in domestic and global health research.

    Maria Muzik MD, MSc
    Associate Professor, UM Department of Psychiatry and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Co-Director, Women and Infants Mental Health Program (WIMHP)

    Dr. Muzik has held a faculty appointment at the University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry since 2006. Her expertise is in women’s mental health, focusing on pregnancy and postpartum, and she conducts cutting-edge research, directs patient care services, and oversees educational programming in these areas.

    Amy Zaagman
    Executive Director, Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health

    Amy Zaagman is the Executive Director of the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health, an organization of diverse partners comprised of hospital systems, statewide organizations, local public health advocates and individuals with an interest in shaping and influencing state policy that promotes the health and well-being of women, children and families in Michigan since 1983.

    Lynette Beiry
    Strategic Director, Zero to Thrive

    Lynette Biery , PA-C, MSc Lynette Biery is the Director of the Bureau of Family Health Services , with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services where she provides administrative direction and oversight of the Division of Immunization, the Division of Maternal and Infant Health, and the Division of Child and Adolescent Health. She also serves as the Maternal Child Health Director for Michigan. Lynette has extensive experience in clinical care delivery, research, evaluation, program management and administration. She was Project Manager at the MSU Institute for Health Policy where she worked on a variety of research, policy analysis, and quality improvement projects for both public and private sector organizations, covering a range of maternal child health issues.

    What is the Wolverine Caucus?
    Wolverine Caucus members are University of Michigan alumni including legislators, lobbyists, staff, and advisors working in and around State of Michigan government. They meet with U-M experts on timely, relevant public policy subjects during the legislative session. Our mission is to provide diverse forums at which U-M friends can meet one another, enjoy fellowship, exchange views and learn from the world- class talents of U-M faculty and administrators.

    View Recording here

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  3. Wolverine Caucus: Loneliness Among Older Adults

    Mark Rivett posted February 16, 2021

    Friday, February 26, 2021

    10:00am – 11:30am

    Please RSVP for this virtual event here.

    The National Poll on Aging taps into the perspectives of adults age 50-80 from throughout the United States and communicates the public’s voice on a variety of topics, including loneliness, that affect the health and well-being of older Americans and their families. The COVID-19 Coping Study reviews the estimated prevalence of loneliness among US older adults during the early phase of the pandemic, and identifies key sociodemographic characteristics, employment factors, living circumstances, and health-related factors that are associated with loneliness.

    Panelists

    Dr. Preeti Malani
    UM Chief Health Officer and Director of the National Poll on Health Aging

    Dr. Malani is a graduate of the University of Michigan. She received her MD degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine. Prior to medical school, she completed a Masters in Journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She completed her Internal Medicine residency and Infectious Diseases fellowship at the University of Michigan where she also received a Master’s Degree in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis. Dr. Malani completed fellowship training in Geriatric Medicine at the Oregon Health and Science University. Dr. Malani’s clinical and research interests include infection control and prevention and infections in older adults.

    Dr. Lindsay Kobayashi
    Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Principal Investigator of the COVID-19 Coping Study

    Dr. Kobayashi studies the social epidemiology of cognitive aging and health equity among low-income older populations. Her current research focuses on life course determinants of cognitive aging in rural South Africa and the population health implications of improving cancer survival rates in the U.S.

    Area Agency on Aging Representative

    Area Agency on Aging (AAA) working to Support Seniors, Caregivers and People with Disabilities. Established in 1974, the Area Agency on Aging is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization with a rich history of supporting older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers in southeast Michigan. AAA helps people access the services and programs they need to remain living independently and with dignity in their own home or with family caregivers. They provide direct care programs for seniors, along with funding and support for many programs provided by our community partner organizations.

    What is the Wolverine Caucus?

    Wolverine Caucus members are University of Michigan alumni including legislators, lobbyists, staff, and advisors working in and around State of Michigan government. They meet with U-M experts on timely, relevant public policy subjects during the legislative session. Our mission is to provide diverse forums at which U-M friends can meet one another, enjoy fellowship, exchange views and learn from the world- class talents of U-M faculty and administrators.