Buff Bulletin Board

The Buff Bulletin Board, a listing of campus announcements, is a service of Campus Communications.

 

Participants needed for a breathing exercise and walking study

The Integrative Physiology of Aging Lab is looking for volunteers to study the potential healthy aging effects of a new type of breathing exercise (a time-efficient type of exercise), compared to brisk walking, on blood pressure and blood vessel function.

Requirements:

  • Aged 50-plus years
  • Systolic blood pressure (top number) ≥ 115 mmHg
  • Willing to exercise up to 25 minutes per day, six days a week, for a three-month period

Participants receive:

  • Detailed blood panel (cholesterol, glucose, etc.)
  • Physician-monitored exercise stress test
  • Blood pressure screening
  • Bone mineral density test
  • Monetary compensation for time

For more information, please email ipalab@colorado.edu or call 303-735-6410.

CU dad looking for kidney donation

From CU Boulder parent Bevin Trennert:

My husband Jason (57) was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a form of blood cancer) in March of this year. Upon his diagnosis he was immediately admitted to the hospital with kidney failure: a serious effect of myeloma. He recently completed seven months of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant and is now cancer-free. Throughout his illness and for the rest of his life, he will have to have dialysis treatments three to four times per week. As a result of chemotherapy, Jason has also experienced nerve damage in his legs (neuropathy) and for a few months, reduced to using a walker. Through physical therapy, we hope his mobility will return over the next year.

It has been a brutal seven months, physically for my husband and emotionally for the whole family. We feel like the rug has been pulled out from under us. Jason was at the peak of his career, presenting to clients all over the world while managing a company. In the wake of his diagnosis, he had to turn down a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity. He has always been a loving father and husband and truly the keystone of the family. It has become more apparent to us over the last few months how blessed we are to be able to rely on our Catholic faith, family and friends.

We were thrilled to learn that the doctors at the New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Kidney Transplant Program believe Jason would be able to return to an active and productive life (without dialysis) with a kidney transplant via a living donor.

Living donors

The average wait time for a kidney from a deceased donor is over five years. However, living donor kidney transplantation is considered the gold standard, with better outcomes and without a long wait. Through our participation in kidney exchange via the National Kidney Registry, I was approved and plan to donate a kidney on Jason’s behalf in a few months. Although we are not a match, the National Kidney Registry will connect my kidney to another patient while they find a compatible donor for Jason. Finding a compatible donor through friends and family is a long shot, but it would greatly accelerate the transplant process and increase the chances of post-operative success.

How you can help 

Doctors at Weill Cornell said Jason can receive an organ faster in the chain depending on the options the doctors have available to them. Asking someone to consider being a donor is difficult for us. We hate asking for favors in matters big and small. We know it’s an unusual request, however this is not a request for commitment, only an appeal to get tested. Jason has O+ blood type. Are you or a friend O+?  You don’t have to be, but that would be very helpful.

Would you or someone you know consider coming forward to be tested? Be tested as a potential donor for Jason or register as a potential donor.

This will enable the Weill Cornell living donor team to reach out to you to discuss testing and to set up some basic lab work that can be done close to home at no cost to you.  All conversations with the living donor team are confidential. There is no obligation to donate, and potential donors can back out at any time. Unless you inform us yourselves, we will not know who has been tested. 

Call the Weill Cornell Living Donor Program at 212-746-3922.

Please share Jason’s story

We are asking humbly for two things: 1) to get tested if you would consider being a donor; 2) share this story with your network. The more people who hear about this need, the higher the chances of finding a donor. We hear that donors are usually friends of friends and/or people who are seeking a “sign” or an opportunity to present itself to them.  Many people have been thinking about doing something like this for a long time.

We thank you so much for your consideration and support. We hope you consider being tested or think about any people you know who would like to learn more about organ donation.

With love,

Bevin Trennert
CU Boulder parent – Dom 2026

Write your next chapter with Retirement Ready

Life is a story, and retirement is just the next chapter. As retirement grows closer, you may be struggling with one of the hardest questions: What happens next?

Each year, Employee Services hosts Retirement Ready—a series of educational sessions designed to help faculty and staff nearing retirement age outline their next chapters and create the retirement story that suits them.

Research: Finding keys on the piano by touch

Paid participants are needed for a study investigating tactile and spatial awareness of the piano keyboard, conducted by Alejandro Cremaschi and Luca Pompilio in the College of Music and Mélanie Henry in Integrative Physiology. This study involves a 40-minute session where participants will be asked to reproduce hand spans by memory and to find keys on the piano "by touch" without looking. 

The 40-minute sessions are scheduled at your convenience in the Ramalay Integrative Physiology Lab. To participate you must be 18 years old or older and familiar with note names. Ideally, we would like participants with three or more years of formal piano lessons. Payment is $20 in the form of an Amazon gift card.

If you are interested in participating, contact alejandro.cremaschi@colorado.edu.

Join paid study on mood and bipolar disorder in young adults

Hello world

Join the Young Emerging Adult Research Study (YEARS) study at CU Boulder and CU Anschutz (IRB# 23-2067) to understand emotions.

Earn $25 per hour (up to approximately $400 total) for up to three study session phases (one hour and 45 minutes). Must be 18–25 years, be able to attend in-person sessions, and have a personal history of bipolar disorder or no mental health history.

New Venture Challenge registration closes Feb. 6

person pitching the NVC

There's still time to register for the 2026 New Venture Challenge (NVC), where you can build your network, collaborate with mentors to refine your ideas and form your startup team to pitch for a share of $220,000 in funding at the NVC finals!

NVC is a signature program of CU Boulder's Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative. During this multi-round, multi-event entrepreneurial competition, teams develop impactful ventures through entrepreneurial events and programming, community support, mentorship and—ultimately—the chance to win cash  and pitch to a live audience at the Boulder Theater! 

NVC is open to venture teams founded by current CU Boulder students, faculty, staff or recent graduates. Application deadline is Feb. 6.

Go all in! Sko Serve applications due Feb. 5

Sko Serve sends teams of college students to engage in meaningful service during their breaks from school. This weeklong journey over spring break allows students to explore the United States while making a difference through service, reflecting upon their experience and creating long-lasting connections with others.

Learn more about spring 2026 programs and apply by Feb. 5.

Call for SPIKE Faculty Fellows—apply by March 2

CU Boulder has resources and support for faculty who are critical to the university's emerging global leadership in sustainability education. The founding of the new SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education (SCSE) is critical to this success.

The theme for the inaugural cohort of SPIKE Faculty Fellows will be information integrity and sustainability education. It includes research on climate change and environmental relations that intersect with building societal trust, fostering healthy public spheres of engagements, mis-/disinformation campaigns and transparency of data. 

If interested in joining, please review this PDF to learn more about the program. Submit all application materials by noon to spikecenter@colorado.edu. Decisions will be announced by March 13.

Apply for the CU Public Interest Internship Experience (PIIE)

The CU Public Interest Internship Experience (PIIE) connects students who care about making a difference with paid summer internships at nonprofits and government agencies. Since launching in 2006, PIIE has helped more than 200 students gain hands‑on experience while working in areas such as animal welfare, education, health, law, sustainability and more.

Applications for summer 2026 are open Jan. 19–Feb. 8. If you’re interested in civic engagement and want meaningful, paid experience, PIIE could be for you—apply now!

Scholarships available for student leaders and UMC student employees

Scholarships are available for student leaders and UMC student employees. The UMC Board awards scholarships of up to $1,000 each year.

The James E. Schafer Scholarship is for CU student leaders who currently involved in a Center for Student Involvement-recognized student group or organization.

The Carlos García UMC Director’s Scholarship is for students currently employed by the Basic Needs Center, Center for Student Involvement, CU Book Store, CU Collegiate Recovery Community, Cultural Events Board, Distinguished Speakers Board, Environmental Center, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Ink Spot, Off-Campus Life, Radio 1190, Service Learning & Impact in Community Engagement, Starbucks or the University Memorial Center.

Applications are due by Sunday, Feb. 15, at 11:59 p.m.

Submit events for history and heritage months

If your department is planning a program for any history or heritage month, submit your event to be part of our campuswide celebration. The Division of Student Life will include submitted events from campus departments in marketing and promotional materials.