Genre-jumping Fulbright scholar takes a novel path

Aspiring scientist Ariel Djanikian, MFA ’04, read the writing on the lab wall when she found herself prioritizing creative writing over her latest experiment. Her fascinating and often tragic family history informs a recurring theme in both of her novels: the obliteration of one group of people for the convenience of another.
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Sensors for bat-inspired spy plane under development
A six-inch robotic spy plane modeled after a bat would gather data from sights, sounds and smells in urban combat zones and transmit information back to a soldier in real time. That’s the Army’s concept, and it has awarded the University of Michigan College of Engineering a five-year, $10-million grant to help make it happen.
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Video: U-M 'ballast-free ship' could cut costs while blocking aquatic invaders
University of Michigan researchers are investigating a radical new design for cargo ships that would eliminate ballast tanks, the water-filled compartments that enable non-native creatures to sneak into the Great Lakes from overseas.
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A piece of history
Our first U-M History column tells the story of one of our crown jewels: the Clements Library
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JFK at the Union
On the anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s ‘Peace Corps’ speech, we look back at how U-M students picked up his challenge to change the world.
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Pigskin
The spread offense isn’t the only thing that’s changed in football. So have the words.
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Medicine and ministry
Dr. Oveta Fuller is a respected researcher in microbiology and immunology, an expert on viral infections. But her most vital work takes place outside the lab, when she combines her scientific knowledge with faith. Turns out that one of her most effective weapons against AIDS is the fact that she’s not only a scientist, but a pastor.
Columns
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President's Message
Renewing our commitment
President Santa J. Ono encourages the U-M community to unite in creating a brighter world of peace. -
Editor's Blog
Make the world go away
Has anyone seen the reset button? Methinks the humans need a do-over. -
Climate Blue
Adding fuel to the fire
Ricky Rood gives Jimi Hendrix a run for his money in this assessment of fire, the wild kind. -
Health Yourself
What’s the dope on psychedelic science? Part 2
Vic Katch concludes his two-part series about the expanding field of scientific research into 'psychedelics' as medicine.