Making her dreams come true, a recent graduate of The University of Toledo’s physics program is in the midst of a sky-rocketing year.

Dr. Nicole Karnath earned her Ph.D. last summer and quickly moved to California to serve as instrument scientist at the SOFIA Science Center, which is based in NASA Ames Research Center, where she flies regularly aboard the world’s largest airborne observatory.

On top of her already soaring career success, this week the Astrophysical Journal published Karnath’s research completed while she was a UToledo student, sharing her discovery that reflects a new understanding of what happens at the early stages of star formation.

She credits her student research and the support of her advisor, Dr. Tom Megeath, UToledo astronomy professor, for the job offer from NASA before she had her diploma.

“I am very happy. I enjoy the science, and I love studying the universe,” Karnath said. “Astronomy is an international, collaborative field because we’re working on telescopes all over the world and taking in huge amounts of data. The opportunities are there for students to break in. UToledo astronomy professors know so many people all over the world. Take advantage of their expertise, connections and need for help analyzing data. That’s how I ended up here.”

“Nicole made one of the most exciting discoveries to come out of our UToledo star formation group,” Megeath said. “Just as a talent agent’s biggest dream is to find the actor or actress who will become the next star, for an astronomer, the dream is to find the blob of gas that’s in the process of becoming a star. Nicole has found four such blobs — collapsing gas clouds that are in the first 6,000 years of forming what is called protostar. In ‘star years,’ this is the first 30 minutes of their lives.”

While a graduate student at UToledo, Karnath was part of an international team of astronomers who used two of the most powerful radio telescopes in the world to create more than 300 images of planet-forming disks around very young stars in the Orion molecular clouds.

Pointing both the Very Large Array (VLA) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to the region in space where many stars are born, the result is the largest survey to date of young stars, called protostars, and their protoplanetary disks, or planets born in rings of dust and gas.

Among the hundreds of survey images, four protostars looked different than the rest and caught Karnath’s attention.

“These newborn stars looked very irregular and blobby,” Karnath said. “We think that they are in one of the earliest stages of star formation and some may not even have formed into protostars yet.”

It is significant that the scientists discovered four of these objects, which Karnath estimates to be younger than 10,000 years old.

“We rarely find more than one such irregular object in one observation,” said Karnath, who used these four infant stars to propose a schematic pathway for the earliest stages of star formation.

To be defined as a typical protostar, stars should not only have a flattened rotating disk surrounding them, but also an outflow — spewing away material in opposite directions — that clears the dense cloud surrounding the stars and makes them optically visible. This outflow is important because it prevents stars from spinning out of control while they grow. But when exactly these outflows start to happen is an open question in astronomy.

One of the infant stars in this study, called HOPS 404, has an outflow velocity of only 2 kilometers per second, or 1.2 miles per second. A typical protostar outflow has a range of 10 to 100 kilometers per second, or 6 to 62 miles per second.

“It is a big puffy sun that is still gathering a lot of mass, but just started its outflow to lose angular momentum to be able to keep growing,” Karnath said. “This is one of the smallest outflows that we have seen, and it supports our theory of what the first step in forming a protostar looks like.”

“These very young protostars don’t match existing theory very well, meaning that we still have a lot to learn from future studies,” Megeath said.

Karnath’s stellar work continues in California at the SOFIA Science Center. SOFIA is a flying observatory made out of a modified Boeing 747, capable of making observations that are impossible for even the largest and highest ground-based telescopes.

SOFIA, which stands for Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, is a partnership of NASA and the German Aerospace Center and under contract with the Universities Space Research Association.

As an instrument scientist, Karnath is responsible for one of five instruments rotated on and off the telescope on the plane, depending on the type of data astronomers are looking to gather.

“I work on an instrument called FORCAST. It’s an imaging instrument and also a spectrometer,” Karnath said. “I’m up there making sure we’re getting the filters needed or the different wavelengths, or looking at a certain target for the right amount of time, and also troubleshooting issues.”

Karnath also is using SOFIA to continue her own research. She submitted a proposal and was awarded observation time on SOFIA scheduled for February 2021.

The curiosity and determination that first fueled her journey as a little girl still powers this successful woman in science today.

“My dad was an amateur astronomer who had a telescope and regularly had me looking at Saturn or a meteor shower,” Karnath said. “I thought astronomy was the most fascinating subject I ever studied. In high school I enjoyed physics and learned that you could make a living off of this. I never looked back, and I’m so lucky that I still love it.”

Karnath said she couldn’t have accomplished so much so soon without the support of Megeath, the UToledo astronomy program, and past advisors at Lowell Observatory and Ohio State University.

“The best part of my job is handing over astronomical data from a cutting-edge observatory, such as the Spitzer Space Telescope, Hubble Space Telescope, ALMA, or the Lowell Discovery Telescope, to a graduate student and seeing the discoveries they make from the data. They never know exactly what they will find,” Megeath said.

“In Nicole’s case, she did an extraordinary job working with an international team spanning three continents and involving universities and institutes across the U.S., Chile and Spain. She combined data from two of the most powerful radio telescopes on Earth to discover these objects. The exciting part is that every discovery brings new mysteries to solve.”

Prior to UToledo, Karnath earned a master’s in applied physics from Northern Arizona University and a bachelor’s in physics and astronomy from Ohio State University.

UToledo is a member of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, a prestigious consortium of 47 U.S. institutions and three international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories for the National Science Foundation and NASA.

Toledo will hold its 14th annual Rockets for the Cure Saturday, Feb. 22, as the women’s basketball team entertains Western Michigan at 2 p.m. in Savage Arena.

The Mid-American Conference West Division showdown will help benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Northwest Ohio and the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center. The Rockets encourage everyone in attendance to wear pink in support of cancer research.

The goal of Rockets for the Cure is to provide cancer education to the community, provide encouragement to the survivors fighting and their families, celebrate the survivors who have won the fight, remember the ones who were less fortunate, and pack Savage Arena with 5,000 or more Rocket fans in pink.

The Rockets have raised more than $142,000 for this cause over the last decade.

Toledo is offering free admission to the game to all breast cancer survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer. To claim a free ticket, call 419.530.GOLD (4653), stop by the Ticket Office in Savage Arena, or visit the Toledo Rockets website.

In addition, 10 survivors will be recognized before the game and introduced with the starting five of each team. These survivors will receive a Rockets for the Cure T-shirt, two tickets to the Huntington suite, and additional tickets in the lower bowl for friends and family.

Commemorative Rockets for the Cure T-shirts can be purchased for $10 on the Toledo Rockets website.

From when the doors open at 12:30 p.m. until the end of halftime, fans are encouraged to take part in the silent auction in the West Concourse. Included in the auction are items from Toledo Yoga, Mud Hens tickets, signed basketballs and more.

The Rocket players again will wear special pink uniforms for the game. Guest emcee Chrys Peterson and the Rockets will hold a jersey auction immediately following the contest. All proceeds from the live auction will benefit Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio and the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center.

Last season, the Rockets raised $16,224 for cancer research, signifying their highest total since 2013. It also marked the 10th straight year they collected at least $10,000. In addition, five of the uniforms that were auctioned off after the contest went for at least $700, including a high of $3,000 for Kaayla McIntyre.

For more information, call the Rocket Ticket Office in Savage Arena at 419.530.GOLD (4653) or contact Cliff Bonner at cliff.bonner@utoledo.edu or 419.530.5433.

For tickets, go to the Toledo Rockets website, call 419.530.GOLD (4653), or stop by the UT Athletic Ticket Office in Savage Arena. UToledo employees and retirees may purchase tickets at half-price; UToledo students are admitted free with ID.

Brian Eisner, former University of Toledo men’s tennis coach, was inducted into the 2019 United States Tennis Association Midwest Section Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremony took place Jan. 31 at the Alexander in Indianapolis.

A native of Ann Arbor, Mich., Eisner coached at the Division I level for 37 years, coaching through 755 matches for a combined win-loss record of 523-231-1.

Eisner coached at The University of Toledo from 1963 to 1969 and led the Rockets to four consecutive Mid-American Conference Championships from 1965 to 1969. He also led Rockets to 12 individual and nine doubles titles at the MAC Championships. Eisner’s dual-meet record at Toledo was 74-30-1.

Following his tenure at Toledo, Eisner coached at the University of Michigan for 31 seasons, winning 18 Big Ten Conference Championships, including a streak of 16 consecutive titles. Eisner also was named Big Ten Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year four times and coached six Big Ten Players of the Year and 12 collegiate All-Americans.

Eisner played collegiate tennis at Michigan State University, where he was a finalist in the 1960 Big Ten singles championship and was a team captain in 1961 and 1962.

He is a member of The University of Toledo’s Varsity T Hall of Fame, as well as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men’s College Tennis Hall of Fame and Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor.

The University of Toledo and Life Connection of Ohio will hold their fourth annual Rockets for Life game to promote awareness for organ donation. The men’s basketball team will host Buffalo in Savage Arena Friday, Feb. 14, in a 6:30 p.m. tipoff that will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.

Before and during the game, Savage Arena will be flooded with Donate Life messages, including videos, announcements, on-court features and promotions. Fans are encouraged to join Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tod Kowalczyk, UToledo staff and Life Connection of Ohio volunteers by wearing neon green and navy to show their support for the cause.

Life Connection will give away green pom-poms and glowsticks to all fans and Rockets For Life PopSockets to students. Tom Doerger, who is the father of Rocket football player Luke Doerger, also will be recognized during the game. Doerger received a life-saving liver transplant last fall.

“Life Connection of Ohio is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with University of Toledo Athletics and Coach Kowalczyk for our fourth annual Rockets for Life event,” said Kara Steele, Life Connection of Ohio’s director of community services. “The goal of Rockets for Life is to raise awareness about the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. There are countless people touched by organ, eye and tissue donation in our community, and we look forward to honoring those who gave the gift of life and celebrating with those who received a second chance at life through this event.”

Organ donation is something that has touched Kowalczyk personally. One of his best friends, Trey Schwab, received 12 additional years of life because of a double lung transplant. Trey, who coached at the college, Continental Basketball Association and National Basketball Association levels, passed away in 2016 waiting for another transplant.

“A 19-year-old young man and his family gave Trey and 14 other people an opportunity to live and that’s why this is such an important cause for me,” Kowalczyk said. “We have been fortunate to play on national television the last three years on this special night and that’s been great to showcase the work Life Connection of Ohio is doing. I think it’s vital that we spread the word for people to become organ donors. I certainly am a donor, and my family and all our players are as well.”

An awareness event like Rockets for Life couldn’t come at a more crucial time. Currently, there are more than 112,000 people on the national transplant waiting list; this includes 3,100 Ohioans. The organ shortage continues to grow at a staggering rate, as another person is added to the waiting list every 10 minutes. Sadly, 20 people die every day waiting for an organ transplant. The good news: One person has the power to save up to eight lives through organ donation and heal 125 more through tissue donation.

Life Connection of Ohio is the nonprofit organization that has promoted and facilitated organ donation in northwest and west central Ohio for more than 25 years. Last year, Life Connection of Ohio coordinated the recovery of organs from 93 donors, providing 310 life-saving transplants. For more information or to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor, visit Life Connection of Ohio’s website.

Tickets for the game are available for the special price of $14 and $10 if purchased prior to game day with the promo code RFL. For tickets, visit the Toledo Men’s Basketball Ticket Central website, call 419.530.GOLD (4653), or stop by the Rocket Ticket Office.

Love is in the air with the Rocket Romance campaign, which launched Feb. 1 and runs through Saturday, Feb. 29.

All month long, the University is celebrating love for UToledo and the many Rocket romances that have bloomed on campus throughout the years.

Brittany Seigneur Kupresanin and Marshall Kupresanin were members of Blue Crew when they met in 2008. They married in 2017 and welcomed a new little Rocket, Oliver, in November.[/caption]More than 70 couples spanning from their 20s to their 90s are featured in a multi-channel fundraising campaign to help Rockets fall in love with UToledo all over again.

“The campaign is a great way to reignite your passion for the University while sharing your love stories,” said Heather Slough, director of annual giving and leadership engagement. “Help inspire others to give and create the next chapter for future generations of Rockets.”

Fueling futures and love — that’s The University of Toledo. Blue Crew members Triplicious and Mr. Business met when they were freshmen in 2008.

“We were friends for two years before we started dating,” Brittany Seigneur Kupresanin, success coach in the Center for Success Coaching, said. “We spent so much time together traveling to games and events.”

So when Marshall Kupresanin decided to pop the question in 2016, he engineered a surprise on campus.

“He proposed to me at the exact spot on campus where we met. We’re still involved with Blue Crew as alumni, and he said there was an initiation ceremony on campus for a new Blue Crew member,” Seigneur Kupresanin recalled. “As we turned the corner to enter the east courtyard by University Hall, I see all these people, and Blue Crew members held up signs that said, ‘Will you marry me?’ And Marshall got down on one knee. It was very sweet, especially because our family and friends were there.”

The two married in 2017. Brittany received a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering in 2013 and a master’s degree in counselor education in 2015, and Marshall graduated with bachelor’s degrees in history and theatre in 2012, and a law degree in 2015.

Falling in love on campus runs in the family. Seigneur Kupresanin’s parents met while students. Mark Harris, a 1981 UToledo alumnus, met Ann Seigneur Harris at a Sigma Phi Epsilon party in 1980.

And the family welcomed a new member, Oliver, who was born in November. Coincidentally, Brittany went into labor exactly 11 years to the date she and Marshall met on campus.

“We all hope Oliver is a future Rocket,” said Seigneur Kupresanin, who just returned from maternity leave to work at her alma mater.

This month, UToledo alumni, employees, students and fans are asked to ignite the flame in others and show they care. Make gifts to the Rocket to Rocket Fund to provide emergency assistance for students in need, to the Rocket Fund to provide unrestricted support for Rocket athletics, or to the UT Foundation General Scholarship. Then spread the love and post or tweet favorite love stories or photos on social media with #RocketRomance to celebrate.

All gifts to the campaign are tax-deductible, and there are a variety of payment options available; these include installments and payroll deduction for UToledo employees.

“Whether you give $5 or $5,000, every gift is valued and appreciated, regardless of amount,” Slough said.

“Because we’re sharing the love, too, all donors to this campaign will receive a special gift,” Slough added.

For more information or to make a pledge, visit the Rocket Romance campaign website.

The U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage five years ago in its landmark Obergefell v. Hodges case.

This week the named parties on opposing sides of one of the most important Supreme Court rulings in recent history will be at The University of Toledo to discuss the case and their resulting friendship.

Jim Obergefell, the plaintiff who sued the state of Ohio for refusing to recognize his marriage on his husband’s death certificate, and Rick Hodges, the defendant and UToledo alumnus who served as director of the Ohio Department of Health at the time of the case, will take the stage for “Finding Friendship in a Contentious Place: A Conversation With Obergefell and Hodges From the Landmark U.S. Supreme Court Case on Same-Sex Marriage” Thursday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. in Doermann Theatre.

D. Benjamin Barros, dean of the College of Law, will moderate the free, public event presented by The University of Toledo Law Review.

Rob Salem, professor and dean for diversity and inclusion at the College of Law, will provide legal commentary of the challenges same-sex couples still face five years after the decision.

“We’re honored to host these guest speakers not just because of their prominent role in a landmark Supreme Court case, but because they embody the spirit of civility and celebration of differences,” Salem said.

Obergefell works as an LGBTQA+ activist and serves on the Board of Directors for Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders, the oldest and largest national nonprofit organization that advocates for and provides services for LGBTQA+ older Americans. Obergefell co-authored the book “Love Wins” with Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Debbie Cenziper.

Hodges is an executive in residence and visiting professor at Ohio University. He also is the director of the Ohio Alliance for Innovation in Population Health. Hodges is a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives. He earned his master’s degree in public administration from UToledo in 1991.

For those unable to attend, the event will stream live on the UToledo Alumni Association website.

Do you know an outstanding teacher or advisor at The University of Toledo?

The deadline to nominate someone for the 2020 Outstanding Teacher Award and the 2020 Outstanding Advisor Award is 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17.

The Outstanding Teacher Award recognizes outstanding UToledo faculty members who have made a positive impact by inspiring, motivating and challenging their students.

A maximum of six full-time faculty members will receive the award — a $1,500 cash stipend and a certificate of recognition.

All full-time faculty at the University are eligible for the award, with the exception of past recipients. Winners will be selected by the Outstanding Teacher Committee based on an evaluation of nominations submitted by students, faculty and alumni.

The Outstanding Advisor Award is for academic advisors who have gone above and beyond to help empower their students.

Nominees should demonstrate strong interpersonal skills; educate and empower students to make informed academic decisions; prioritize their commitments to maximize academic success; and be knowledgeable of UToledo policies and resources.

There will be two recipients of the Outstanding Advisor Award, each receiving $1,500. Any full-time advisor is eligible, with the exception of previous award recipients.

Students, alumni, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit nominations.

The online nomination forms for both awards may be found on the Office of the Provost website.

Past recipients of the awards are not eligible; lists of winners are online with the nomination forms.

Winners of these honors will be recognized at the UToledo Outstanding Awards Reception Monday, April 27, at 5:30 p.m. in the Thompson Student Union Auditorium.

At that event, the University also will recognize recipients of the Outstanding Research and Scholarship Award and the Edith Rathbun Outreach and Engagement Award, as well as Distinguished University Lecturers and Distinguished University Professors. And a new UToledo Faculty Mentoring Award also will be presented.

For the fourth consecutive year, volunteers will gather in shifts and give back at The University of Toledo as they assemble nearly a quarter of a million meals to feed families around the globe.

The two-day mobile pack, part of the Feed My Starving Children program, will take place Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7 and 8, in the Health Education Building on Main Campus. Shifts will be from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, and from 9 to 11 a.m. and from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The event is organized by 100 UToledo students who are members of the Klar Leadership Academy in the College of Business and Innovation. The academy was founded in 2015 with the support of Steven Klar, a 1971 UToledo business alumnus and a New York City builder and real estate developer.

More than 1,100 UToledo students, employees and alumni, as well as teams from local companies, will invest some of their free time to assemble nutritious rice meals with vegetable blend, vitamins and minerals. The meals are scientifically formulated for undernourished children.

The organizers raised $48,000 and have a goal to build more than 208,000 meals. Last year, volunteers packed 202,000 meals.

“The University of Toledo has a global impact, and the students are the driving force behind this incredible initiative to fight hunger worldwide,” said Dr. Clint Longenecker, Distinguished University Professor in the UToledo College of Business and Innovation. “This is a very compelling feel-good story of Toledoans coming together to positively impact the lives of those in destitute third world countries.”

The overarching goals of the Klar Leadership Academy are to provide its student participants with a transformational learning experience to build on their UToledo education to enable them to better lead themselves, others, teams, organizations and communities, and change the world for good.

The University of Toledo Department of Theatre and Film will present Annie Baker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, “The Flick.” It will be directed by theatre student Justin Petty, a senior who will graduate in May.

Performances will take place Friday through Sunday, Feb. 7-9 and 14-16, in the Center for Performing Arts Center Theatre. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Sunday shows are at 2 p.m.

“The Flick” follows three underpaid employees in a run-down movie theater who attend to one of the last 35mm film projections in the state — a hilarious and heart-rending cry for authenticity in a fast-changing world.

“We’re committed to our students having the experiences that prepare them for entering the professional community once they graduate. We try to bring student designers, technicians and performers to positions of leadership and responsibility inside our departmental season pretty quick during their time here at the University,” said Dr. Matt Foss, UToledo assistant professor of theatre and an advisor on the project. “The opportunity for Justin to be an artist leader on this collaboration was one we were excited to make happen for him and the team involved on the project.”

“The University has helped me foster a new outlook on theatre-making. It has helped me become more precise and helped me understand how to make and find stories that not only represent but highlight the struggles of being a minority,” Petty said.

When choosing “The Flick,” Petty said, “I’m glad I came about this play when I did. It really speaks truthfully on being a youth in our society today, while also highlighting the microaggressions that happen on a scale that everyone can relate to.”

He added he is glad that UToledo allowed him to take a risk with the play and really trust and challenge him with this production.

Petty has directed a number of smaller shows, but this is his first time leading a project of this scale. He served as the assistant director on “Proof” at The University of Toledo and as the assistant director of “Northern Aggression” for Tipping Point Theatre, a professional company in Northville, Mich.

He has several UToledo theatre credits, including “The Pillowman,” “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Arcadia,” “The Internationalist” and “The King and the Clown.”

Petty also has studied abroad at the Moscow Art Theatre in Russia with The University of Toledo and Wayne State University.

“The Flick” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.

The cast features Gillian Martin, senior majoring in media communication with a theatre minor; Jackson Howard, anthropology major with a minor in theatre; Carlos Washington Jr., junior majoring in theatre; and Seth Mansu, sophomore majoring in media communication with a theatre minor.

Members of the design team are Dr. Edmund Lingan, professor and chair of the Department of Theatre and Film, producer; Frankie Teuber, adjunct professor of theatre and 2011 UToledo alumna, scenic designer/props master; Faith Pegus, junior majoring in visual arts, assistant scenic designer; Kelly McBane, lecturer in theatre, costume designer and costume shop manager; Stephen Sakowski, assistant professor of theatre, lighting designer and sound designer; Morgan Cunningham, sophomore majoring in theatre, assistant lighting designer; Mekayla Shellenbarger, senior majoring in music and communication, assistant sound designer; Nathaniel White, assistant lecturer in theatre, technical director and scene shop manager; Grace Mulinix, freshman majoring in theatre, wardrobe head; Natalie Rice, sophomore majoring in media communication and theatre, stage manager; Jacob Prokup, freshman majoring in theatre, assistant stage manager; and Christopher M. Montpetit, lecturer in theatre, theatre/production manager.

Tickets are $10 for students; $12 for UToledo faculty, staff and alumni, and military members and seniors; and $18 for the general public. Call 419.530.ARTS (2787) or go to the School of Visual and Performing Arts’ website. Tickets also will be available at the door.

The University of Toledo will produce and air the 2020 Rocket Football Signing Day Show on ESPN3 Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 2 p.m.

Brent Balbinot, the voice of the Rockets, will host the one-hour studio show along with Toledo Head Coach Jason Candle and the Rocket coaching staff.

The coaches will review the Rockets’ 2020 recruiting class and show video highlights of each signee.

Feb. 5 is the first day of the second signing period in which high school seniors are allowed to sign national letters of intent. The Rockets signed 18 recruits during the early signing period Dec. 18.

The Rockets will open the 2020 season at Tulsa Saturday, Sept. 5. The home season includes six games, including the home Saturday, Sept. 12, vs. San Diego State and a matchup with archrival Bowling Green on a date to be announced.

Full-time UToledo employees and retirees may purchase two tickets at half-price. UToledo students are admitted to home games free with ID.

To purchase season tickets, stop by the UToledo Athletic Ticket Office, located in the Sullivan Athletic Complex at Savage Arena, go to the Toledo Football Ticket Central website or call 419.530.GOLD (4653).