Bartlett STEM academy discussed

Bartlett High in the Memphis area may launch a STEM academy within its borders, part of the statewide STEM emphasis. The CA reports.

Hemlock drives new Austin Peay degree

A new associate degree in chemical-engineering technology at Austin Peay State University was spurred by Hemlock Semiconductor's plans for $1.2BN plant nearby. Student interest has been high, in that it'll prepare workers for up to 800 new jobs at Hemlock. The Leaf-Chronicle reports it.

ORNL studies stay rates for ex-U.S. PhDs

Oak Ridge National Lab economist Mike Finn reports that foreign-born Ph.D. students are a bit more likely these days to stay longer in the U.S. after completing their studies here. The KNS' Frank Munger reports it. Finn's report is here.

UT-ORNL fellowships

UT and ORNL are teaming to offer graduate-student fellowships in materials science, computational science, nuclear science and neutron science with coursework through UT’s College of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences. $30K annual stipends are offered. The KNS reports.

TNBIO stakeholders unite

Grad-school scientists, future lawyers, engineers and MBA-wielding execs statewide are being invited into a relaunching Tennessee Biotechnology Association Graduate Alliance. Industry executives will convene with TBA-GA members, Dec. 7. The story's here.

GE hiring engineers by dozens

Louisville's Business Journal reports GE Consumer and Industrial is hiring more than 40 engineers, and searches of job sites indicates many of those are in software fields, as well as industrial.

Where are top STEM grads?

Ed Dodds tweeted this paper on the mysterious evaporation of top-ranked Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics grads, leaving a growing pool of less talented degree-holders.

VU Engineer draws accolades from Obama Administration

[Updated 4:42 p.m.] he White House announced today Vanderbilt University School of Engineering (VUSE) Assistant Professor Sharon Weiss (at left), an engineer, is among recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on "young professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers." Weiss is an assistant professor of electrical engineering and physics. The awards -- and five-year research grants of unspecified amounts -- go annually to 100 distinguished scientists and engineers, and are awarded by the incumbent President, with the program coordinated by the President's office of science and technology policy. President Barack Obama said in a statement on the occasion today, "These extraordinarily gifted young scientists and engineers represent the best in our country... With their talent, creativity, and dedication, I am confident that they will lead their fields in new breakthroughs and discoveries and help us use science and technology to lift up our nation and our world." Previously, Weiss received a prestigious National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program Award, which came, the University said at the time, "with $400,000 over five years to support her efforts to achieve faster and more accurate detection of biological and chemical materials by using portable porous silicon waveguides. Her work has impact in medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring and homeland security." Weiss' interests span photonics, biosensing, optical properties of materials and optoelectronic devices, according to one of her webpages.

ORNL interships prep students for Nuclear Engineering

If Sen. Lamar Alexander and other advocates have their way, the nation will be needing tens of thousands of new engineers with nuclear experience. This 7-year-old Oak Ridge National Lab program now has 50 undergrads participating. Related WTVC story.