Alexander G. Rabchevsky, associate professor of physiology for the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center at the University of Kentucky, presents “Plasticity of Both Visceral Afferents and Propriospinal Neurons Is Associated with Manifestation of Autonomic Dysreflexia after Complete Spinal Cord Injury” on Monday, June 8 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Lois Pope LIFE Center Apex Auditorium, seventh-floor. For more information, visit www.themiamiproject.org/Lectures or call 305-243-7108.

The Bachelor of General Studies program is a part-time program designed specifically for the working adult. Individuals who have delayed or interrupted their education should take advantage of this outstanding opportunity to enhance a career.

Attend this information session at the Bachelor of General Studies Information Session at Allen Hall, room 101 on  Thursday, June 25 at 6 p.m., and learn about the many features of this adult-friendly UM degree, which also offers the option of completing the last 45 credits through Saturday classes, leaving weeknights and lunch hours free. Refreshments will be served. RSVP for the session early by calling 305-284-2727 or visiting www.miami.edu/bgsdegree.

The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine is hosting the Third Annual Research Day on Friday, June 19. Leighton Chan, chief of the Rehabilitation Medicine Department at the National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, will be the keynote speaker and will present “The Epidemiology of Epidural Steroid Injections for Back Pain.” The event will be held at the Clinical Research Building, ninth-floor, room 988A. The event occurs from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Chan will present from 9 to 10 a.m. For more information, call 305-585-1431 or e-mail [email protected].

Register now for “Taking Action Against Racism,” presented by the School of Education and The Dunspaugh-Dalton Community and Educational Well-Being Research Center on Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27. The seminar provides two days of didactic and experiential exercises designed to provide participants with concrete strategies and tools to tackle racism in their educational settings. Attendees will have opportunities to share and learn from each other and to apply best practices for intervening in their own educational settings. The seminar will be held at the Merrick and Learning Center buildings on the Coral Gables campus from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.  The cost is $200.00. For more information, call 305-284-6119 or e-mail [email protected].

What may have seemed like science fiction–surgery without an incision–is now a reality that is making lives better for patients suffering from chronic acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Jose Martinez, surgeon and co-director of laparoscopic surgery, bariatric surgery, and surgical endoscopy at the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery at the Miller School of Medicine is the first in Miami to offer the TIF (transoral incisionless fundoplication) procedure for the treatment of GERD.

Attend a seminar on the new incisionless surgery for chronic acid reflux on Wednesday, May 13 or Tuesday, June 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Conference Room, 1301 To RSVP or for more information on the procedures available, call 305-243-2424.

Spring has returned and nature beckons discovery and exploration—even in art form. The annual two-part UM Student/Master of Fine Arts Exhibitions are viewable at the Lowe Art Museum. Also on view: UM’s Faculty Exhibition, featuring Carsten Meier’s Naturell. A preview and reception for the juried student exhibition and Naturell will be held Friday, April 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. The evening will be highlighted with a special lecture by Meier. A preview reception for the MFA exhibition, on view from May 14-June 14, will be held Wednesday, May 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. Both receptions are free and open to the public. Regular admission to the Lowe (not including special events) is $10; $5 for seniors and non-UM students; and free for Lowe Art Museum members, UM students, faculty and staff, and children under 12 years of age. For more information, call 305-284-3535 or visit www.lowemuseum.org.