DECK THE HALLS: HOLIDAY STORY IDEAS FROM
THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
Experts from the University of Houston are ready to offer insight
on a variety of subjects, including protection from identity theft,
eradicating airline delays, choosing the right wine and, of course,
keeping off the holiday pounds. As you craft your holiday stories,
please consider these tips from UH faculty.
WHO AM I?
As the holidays approach and shoppers are out in full swing, identity
theft is a practical concern for consumers trying to keep track
of countless paper receipts and Internet purchases. Ioannis Kakadiaris,
a computer science professor, can discuss new technology that could
eradicate identity theft. Kakadiaris’ research takes advantage
of cutting-edge hardware to combine 3D snapshots with infrared images
of a person’s face that may eliminate the need for dozens
of passwords and PIN numbers that are inconvenient to memorize and
impractical to safeguard. He can be reached at 713-743-1255 or ioannisk@uh.edu.
FLIGHT STATUS: ON TIME
With gridlock on airport runways at an all-time high during the
holidays, making connections and getting to one’s final destination
on time is always a challenge. Fazle Hussain, a mechanical engineering
professor, has embarked upon ways of reducing airport delays by
speeding the transition of vortices to turbulence in order to save
time between aircrafts during takeoffs and during landings. In doing
so, Hussain may be able to make runways usable more quickly to significantly
reduce delay times, a traveler’s nightmare during the holidays.
For further scientific details, he can be reached at 713-743-4545
or fhussain@uh.edu.
NETWORKING AROUND THE HOLIDAY TABLE
If you’re looking for work, take in a few holiday parties.
Jamie K. Belinne, executive director of the Rockwell Career Center
at the Bauer College of Business, says holiday parties are an easy
place to network, talk about the type of work you’ve been
doing and the kinds of new opportunities you’d like to try.
Hiring typically slows down during the holiday season, but the good
news is that networking picks up. When hiring increases after the
New Year, you’ll be well-positioned to take advantage of these
opportunities. For more information, contact Belinne at 713-743-4590
or jbelinne@uh.edu.
VISIONS OF EXTRA POUNDS
Water gulping and salsa dancing can be great weapons in the battle
against the holiday bulge. Norma Olvera, associate professor at
the UH Department of Health and Human Performance, has innovative
ways to avoid the effects of overindulgence. For more information
contact Olvera at 713-743-9848 or nolvera@uh.edu
CHILL OUT
Family visits, holiday dinners and shopping—December can be
a breeding ground for stress. Robert McPherson, professor and associate
dean of the UH College of Education, shows us the way to have a
mentally healthy and happy holiday season. For more information
contact McPherson at 713-743-5003 or bmcph@uh.edu
WINE GIFT-GIVING 101
Chardonnay or Merlot? Australian or Argentinean? When it comes to
choosing the right wine for a gift or holiday dinner, many of us
are just not sommeliers. Kevin Simon, professor and director of
the Fred Parks Wine Cellar at the University of Houston Conrad N.
Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, knows his grapes.
Reach him at 713.743.2459 or ksimon@uh.edu
HANG THE MISTLETOE — VERY HIGH
It’s OK to stand underneath the mistletoe, but don’t
be tempted to take a bite. Many ornamental plants commonly found
in homes and stores during the holiday season are toxic to humans
and pets. Mistletoe berries, poinsettias and Jerusalem cherries
are only a few of the seasonal plants with varying degrees of toxicity
that can cause such minor irritations as abdominal pain and nausea
to more serious conditions, including fever and respiratory distress.
To learn more about ornamental plant toxicity, contact Julianna
Szilagyi, associate professor in the department of pharmacological
and pharmaceutical sciences, at 713-743-1216 or jszilagyi@uh.edu.
THAT’S NOT CANDY
With the arrival of children and grandparents for holiday visits,
hosts need to ensure that all medications are out of the reach of
kids, particularly as they explore the unfamiliar environment or
play with other young relatives. Children also should be taught
the difference between candy and medication, some of which is produced
in a variety of shapes and colors that could be mistaken for tasty
holiday treats. Contact Nancy Ordonez, clinical assistant professor
in the College of Pharmacy, at 713-795-8366 or nordonez@uh.edu.
NOT SHAKEN OR STIRRED
The holiday high you’re feeling may be an adverse reaction
to mixing alcoholic beverages with medications. Regardless of whether
a drug is being taken for a chronic or more recent illness, the
side effects of many medications can be multiplied (such as dizziness)
or diminished (as with antibiotics) when mixed with alcohol. Even
smokers looking to kick the habit should be aware of the side effects
of prescription or over-the-counter remedies. Contact Rosa Yeh,
assistant professor and clinical pharmacist, at 713-795-8367 or
rfyeh@uh.edu.
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research
and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university
in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students.
For more information about UH visit the universitys Newsroom at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.
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