ALUM 101
This series of free mini-courses covers unique topics taught by faculty, staff, and alumni experts. The science of sleep, psychedelics research, ethics of technology, ultra-processed food, classical literature — we’re covering the stuff you didn’t get to learn during your days as a U-M student.
Overview of ALUM 101
ALUM 101’s online format allows you to learn alongside fellow Wolverines again, no matter how far you are from campus or how long it’s been since you graduated. These mini-courses are for all lifelong learners who are curious about everything, from the relevant to the niche.
- Each online mini-course has four one-hour synchronous learning sessions, featuring a 30-minute lecture presentation by a topic expert and followed by an open Q&A with the alumni audience.
- After each lecture, participants will receive supporting materials, such as upcoming events, key campus partner initiatives, and educational content, to ensure they’re connected to U-M’s world-class resources and expertise on the topic.
- Some courses conclude with an optional, in-person field trip highlighting key locations, resources, and events discussed throughout the course.
ALUM 101: From the Campus to the World: How U-M Innovations Are Changing Lives
Our third course, ALUM 101: From the Campus to the World: How U-M Innovations Are Changing Lives, continues the series with a deep dive into breakthroughs, from life-saving cancer treatments to the future of athletic performance. You will get a front-row seat to the ideas, people, and partnerships behind Michigan innovation.
Developed in partnership with Innovation Partnerships, this four-part mini-course will explore how discoveries move from campus to real-world impact, featuring topics such as HistoSonics ultrasound technology, KOMZIFTI therapeutics, OLED screen displays, and GripFusion’s ForceBall.
Each 60-minute virtual lecture includes a Q&A, allowing you to learn alongside fellow Wolverines. Classes take place on Wednesdays at 6 p.m., beginning May 20 and concluding with an optional in-person field trip.
Lecture 1: Sound Waves to Solutions: Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment with Histotripsy
Born from more than two decades of research at the University of Michigan, histotripsy is transforming how cancer and other diseases can be treated. It offers a powerful, noninvasive alternative to surgery with few side effects. In this session, Zhen Xu, Ph.D., co-inventor of the technology and a 2026 TIME100 Most Influential Health Leaders honoree, will share the story behind this breakthrough and how it moved from university research to clinical impact.
Lecture 2: From Quantum Mechanics to the Display in Your Pocket: The Global Impact of OLED Technology
Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology has transformed displays and lighting around the world. In this session, Stephen Forrest, Ph.D., a pioneering researcher, inventor, and entrepreneur, will explore the evolution of OLED technology from university lab to global industry standard, now found in smartphones, televisions, and more. He will also share insights into the innovation process and how breakthroughs in materials science and engineering make the journey from research to everyday life.
June 3 - Lecture 3: Engineering Performance: Data, Innovation, and the Future of Sports Technology
Led by Mason Ferlic, an Olympian, aerospace engineer, and Ph.D. candidate in statistics, this session will explore how data and engineering are transforming sports performance and injury prevention through the GripFusion ForceBall, the world’s first grip-sensing baseball. Participants will also gain insight into how interdisciplinary research and university partnerships help bring breakthrough technologies from concept to commercialization, with the potential to impact athletes at every level.
June 10 - Lecture 4: From Discovery to Drug: Advancing Leukemia Treatment
Discovered and developed by researchers at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center and the Department of Pathology, ziftomenib (KOMZIFTI) offers new hope for patients with acute myeloid leukemia caused by the NPM1 gene mutation, particularly those who have stopped responding to existing treatments. In this session, Jolanta Grembecka, Ph.D., and Tomasz Cierpicki, Ph.D., will share their nearly 20-year journey from laboratory discovery to FDA approval and reflect on the vital role academic research plays in developing life-saving therapies.
General Resources
Previous ALUM 101 Courses
The first course, ALUM 101: A Wolverine’s Guide to U-M History, kicked off the series with a deep dive into the history of U-M. While this course is now complete, you can watch recordings of each lecture below.
Lecture 1: How U-M Became a World-Class Institution
The University of Michigan is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world, but at what cost? Setting the stage for our course is Terrence McDonald, an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, who explores and guides you through U-M’s rise to the top.
Lecture 2: Notable Alumni
From the notable to the lesser known, Kim Clarke, manager of the University of Michigan Heritage Project, highlights stories of alumni who helped shape our institution.
Lecture 3: True Crime from the Archives
U-M storytellers Lara Zielin and Deborah Holdship delve into the lives of two notorious alumni, Herman Webster Mudgett and the Unabomber, sharing the fascinating stories hidden within their infamous legacies.
Lecture 4: History of the U-M Songbook
Explore the history of your favorite Michigan songs as Mark Clague, Associate Dean of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, guides you through the U-M songbook and the origin stories of these now iconic tunes and explores the social functions of songs and singing on campus.
Sleep is one of the most powerful tools we have for health. This four-part mini-course explored the science behind how sleep works, practical strategies for improving sleep quality, and what happens when sleep goes wrong. Along the way, we examined changes across the lifespan, the impact of lifestyle and health conditions, and the truth behind common sleep myths. Through expert insights and conversations, participants gained both a deeper understanding of sleep and practical takeaways to rest better — no matter their age or circumstances. While this course is now complete, you can watch recordings of each lecture below.
Lecture 1: The Science of Sleep
What actually happens when we fall asleep? In this session, we’ll explore the biology of sleep — why we need it and what’s happening in the brain and body during different stages of rest. We’ll also explore circadian rhythms, gender differences, and how sleep changes across our lifespan.
Lecture 2: Foundations of Healthy Sleep
Good sleep doesn’t just happen — it’s built. This session will cover practical strategies for creating the conditions that support high-quality rest, from healthy routines and sleep environments to nutrition, stress management, and screen use. We’ll also look at real-world challenges — like parenting young children, navigating work schedules, or managing a busy lifestyle — and discuss ways to get better sleep even when circumstances aren’t ideal.
Lecture 3: When Sleep Goes Wrong
Insomnia, sleep apnea, restless nights — many of us know what it feels like when sleep doesn’t work the way it should. This session explores the most common sleep challenges and disorders, their effects on both physical and mental health, and how to recognize when it’s time to talk with your doctor. We’ll also discuss treatment approaches and coping strategies to help you move toward healthier sleep.
- Read more from Dr. Raglan and Dr. Grove
- Article: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Sleep in Cancer Patients
- Article: Restless Leg Syndrome
- Article: REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) in Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)
- Article: Long-Term Trazodone Use and Cognition
- Book: “Quiet Your Mind and Get to Sleep” by Carleen Carney, PhD, and Rachel Manber, PhD
- Book: “Mindfulness for Insomnia: A Four-Week Guided Program to Relax Your Body, Calm Your Mind, and Get the Sleep You Need” by Catherine Polan Orzech, MA, William H. Moorcroft, PhD, and Jason C. Ong, PhD
Lecture 4: Sleep Myths: Fact or Fiction?
Think you know sleep? Put your sleep knowledge to the test as we separate myth from reality in this interactive session. With live polls and expert insights, you’ll walk away knowing what really matters for better sleep.
- Read more from Dr. Burgess and Dr. Favorite