A familiar face on the lunar surface, commonly called the “man in the Moon,” has inspired superstition and myth for generations on Earth, but scientists have concerned themselves more with theories about the geological origins of the large lava beds that form the vague image.

Continuing its commitment to education at the University of Houston, ConocoPhillips is donating $1 million to UH’s growing Energy Research Park (ERP) and $125,000 to various engineering, science and business programs.

The University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering has named recent graduate Jennifer Ngo and junior Ethan Pedneau the Outstanding Students for the 2010-11 academic year.

Ngo and Pedneau were chosen from a pool of 13 students selected from the college's seven undergraduate programs (not including petroleum). They were honored, along with other outstanding students from the area, at a recognition lunch during National Engineers Week (Feb. 13-19).

Two University of Houston professors are helping to keep your heart beating stronger, longer simply by monitoring the temperature of your fingertip.

VENDYS, a device mechanical engineering professors Stanley Kleis and Ralph Metcalfe helped to develop, is allowing doctors to monitor how changes in blood flow affect finger temperature to measure an individual’s risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Ralph W. Metcalfe, professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering and mathematics, was recently appointed chair of the National Institutes of Health Cardiovascular Devices Study Section.

The study section’s scientific review administrator selected Metcalfe, who has served on the section since June 2004, for the position.

The American Society of Artificial Internal Organs (ASAIO) awarded a $500 fellowship to University of Houston biomedical engineering junior Hassan Khalil at their 51st Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. last weekend. The ten awards offered by ASAIO are separated into two categories—one for undergraduate students and another for graduate students and professional engineers. Khalil was awarded a fellowship from the latter group.