The National Institutes of Health has awarded $1.6 million to research scientist Christine Portfors to study how the brain chemical dopamine influences the way we hear.

Christine, an associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences and head of the Hearing and Communication Lab, will collaborate on the research with David Perkel, professor of biology and otolaryngology at the University of Washington in Seattle.

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7 p.m. March 12
Dengerink Administration Building, Room 110

Marquee Diversity Events will host a performance of “Platanos, Collard Greens Y Callaloo" a romantic comedy about Caribbean, African-American and Latino relations. This event is free and open to the public.

“Platanos, Collard Greens Y Callaloo” tells a story of love, family drama and politics while examining relationships between different cultures. The story begins when two college students from different cultures fall in love and are then forced to confront and overcome prejudices from family and friends.

7 – 9 p.m. March 12
Library, Room 265

Rock’s fiction focuses on characters on the fringes of society. His latest novel is “The Shelter Cycle” (2013), based on events in Montana in 1990, when members of the Church Universal and Triumphant were preparing for the end of the world.

The Professional Writers Series brings award-winning writers from a variety of genres to WSU Vancouver. This spring, Pacific Northwest writers are speaking about the trajectory of their careers, their successes and challenges. This event is free and open to the public.

On Feb. 26 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Clark County Fire District 6 will conduct a live fire training exercise at 3100 NE 136th Circle. Fire District 6 is dedicated to providing the highest level of professional firefighting and emergency medical services. Any training they can offer that is similar to real life circumstances is of great value to their personnel. They will work hard to minimize inconveniences as a result of the training. Direct questions to Sarah Mitchelson, public education coordinator, 360-576-1195.

In this issue of IT Happens!, you’ll learn about password security, new AV podia quick-reference cards, how to change your WSU password and much more. There is also an invitation to attend the VIT Open House from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Classroom Building, Room 219.