Today’s top 5 from Purdue University

The AP Newsroom (for AP members) and Purdue News YouTube channel (for all reporters) provide comments from Purdue experts on timely topics. 

Former World Bank president to join Purdue University and its Daniels School of Business

David Malpass, former president of the World Bank and one of the world’s most experienced economic leaders, will join Purdue University starting Jan. 1, 2024. Malpass will serve as the Distinguished Fellow of International Finance at the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business and as the Inaugural Fellow of Global Business and Infrastructure at Purdue@DC. He will split his Purdue engagements between Washington, D.C., and Purdue’s campuses in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Malpass is an esteemed international economist who most recently served as president of the World Bank Group from April 2019 to June 2023. 

Media contact: Derek Schultz, dcschultz@purdue.edu

IMS, Purdue partner for 2024 Total Solar Eclipse viewing experience

Purdue University is joining the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as presenting sponsor for the Total Solar Eclipse viewing event April 8, 2024, in front of a worldwide audience, further deepening the long-standing history between the two iconic organizations. The Total Solar Eclipse Event at IMS Presented by Purdue University will be one of the nation’s most prominent viewing events for the once-in-a-generation phenomenon. Chosen as one of only a few NASA broadcast sites that day, IMS will draw all eyes to Indianapolis, located in the heart of the path of totality. The exciting day of programming and festivities will feature Boilermaker experts, alumni, students and more during the in-person event and be broadcast across the world.

Media contact: Trevor Peters, peter237@purdue.edu

Purdue engineer works to improve formulation of RNA-based pharmaceuticals

A team of university and industry researchers is developing new formulations and manufacturing processes for the messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery systems used in some COVID vaccines. The mRNA-based vaccines that came out during the COVID-19 pandemic required storage at subzero temperatures. The Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccines were the first to use lipid nanoparticles to deliver mRNA, but difficulties with storage and stability have slowed bringing new therapies based on the biotechnology to market.

Media contact: Maureen Manier, mmanier@purdue.edu 

Purdue Global first-generation students create educational definitions dictionary to help navigate school

Words like “accommodation,” “accredited,” “microcredentials” and “provost” can prove to be challenging terms for first-generation adult learners. On top of the many other hurdles students face, understanding the words and terms that professors use can be an adjustment. That is why Maggie Morgan, academic department chair for Purdue Global’s Department of Human Services, led a group of first-generation students in the development of Speaking “University,” an online educational definitions dictionary, which helps students as they begin their educational journey or continue their comeback to finish their degree.

Media contact: Adam Bartels, adam.bartels@purdueglobal.edu

Purdue and leading companies chart a taxonomy of 6G technologies

Tuesday in Washington, D.C., 6G Global Roadmap: A Taxonomy was released to offer a taxonomy of technologies in the evolution from 5G — the fifth generation of cellular technology — to 6G. The document is the product of leading companies in the wireless industry, together with Purdue University, including: Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Ericsson, Intel, Nokia and Qualcomm Technologies Inc. 6G wireless networks promise not only faster speed, lower latency and better coverage, but also the connection of more devices than people and the offer of a foundational service to all sectors and across different types of networks and scenarios.

Media contact: Brian Huchel, bhuchel@purdue.edu

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About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research institution with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities and with two colleges in the top 4 in the United States, Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, with 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 12 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap, including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the new Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and Purdue Computes, at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.