NEWS RELEASE

Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2006

Contact: Marisa Ramirez
713.743.8152 (office)
713.204.9798 (cell)
mrcannon@uh.edu

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 university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.